World’s first commercial-scale HydroPRS advanced plastic recycling plant starts commissioning
Mura Technology opened the world’s first commercial-scale HydroPRS advanced plastic recycling plant in Teesside, UK. The first recycled hydrocarbon products produced are expected to be delivered in early 2024.
The HydroPRS advanced plastic recycling plant in Teesside, UK.
The purpose-built facility at the Wilton International industrial site will process flexible and rigid mixed plastics, including films. The site has capacity to produce 20ktpa of recycled liquid hydrocarbon products, with scope to expand production capacity to over three times its initial size.
Plastic waste converted to hydrocarbon feedstocks
Pioneered by Mura Technology, the HydroPRS process utilizes supercritical water, which is water under high pressure and temperature, to convert post-consumer, multi-layered, flexible and rigid plastics, such as films, pots, tubs and trays, into high yields of stable, into premium hydrocarbon feedstocks.
Through this process, there is no limit to the number of times the same material can be recycled, which means HydroPRS has the potential to significantly reduce single-use plastics and permanently increase material circularity in the plastics industry.
HydroPRS process reduces 80% carbon emissions
Independent Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) have shown that HydroPRS process provides an 80% carbon emissions saving by diverting plastic waste from incineration. Products produced with this technology possess equivalent or lower Global Warming Potential compared to fossil oil-based feedstock, and saves up to five barrels of oil for every ton of plastic waste processed.
In the new recycling plant, HydroPRS complements mechanical recycling and enables a circular plastics economy through the production of recycled plastic feedstock for the manufacture of new plastic.
“Our HydroPRS process is unlocking a new market for plastic waste, creating value and keeping both plastic and carbon in circularity,” explained Dr Steve Mahon, CEO.
