CircuPlast - A novel SCW technology for the circular management of non-recyclable plastics packaging waste.

This project will seek to assess and validate a novel process technology that will enable the indiscriminate recycling of currently non-recyclable mixed plastics packaging waste and increase the recycled content of plastics packaging, whilst preventing the release of plastics waste into the environment.

Using water as a green solvent, CircuPlast, our super critical water (SCW) technology seeks to enable the indiscriminate recycling of plastics (PP, PE, LDPE, HDPE and laminates) into a chemical feedstock for plastics manufacture, offsetting the requirement for fossil-oil derivatives for plastics production.

Through the design, development and testing of a laboratory-scale test rig, this project will therefore seek to assess the applicability of CircuPlast for the conversion of non-recyclable waste plastics packaging into chemicals suitable for the manufacture of plastics. Through operation of the rig, in parallel with process modelling, this project will enable the operational performance of CircuPlast to be optimised and verified, with the resultant data being used to inform the scale-up and economic performance of a commercial scale facility. Furthermore, this project will also seek to identify how CircuPlast can be deployed within the waste plastics packaging supply chain, enabling highly efficient recycling of plastics whilst providing a sustainable source of chemical feedstock for primary plastics manufacture. As well as helping to address the well documented issues relating to plastics in the environment, this project will also seek to enable a truly circular economy approach to the management of non-recyclable waste plastics packaging.