Therm-chemical recycling of waste

Therm-chemical recycling is a process of therm-chemical conversion. This process is based on the thermal decomposition of synthetic organic substances (especially plastics) by the action of heat without the access of oxidizing substances. That means therm-chemical recycling is proceeding in an anaerobic environment. It is in no way incineration.

During therm-chemical waste recycling three main products are newly created:

• recycled liquid – 63 to 90 wt.%

• process gas – 3 to 34 wt.%

• solid inert residue – 3 to 8 wt.%

The all newly acquired products can be used as input raw material for further processing.

Therm-chemical recycling of solid plastic waste is a crucial opportunity to reduce pollution of the seas and soil and enables the integration of the principle of circular economy into today’s society. In addition to conscious behavior and modern product design (“design for recycle”), the key challenge is to identify leading recycling technologies that minimize the potential for global warming in an industrially relevant context.

Therm-chemical recycling technologies can be at the forefront thanks to their reliability, safety, environmental friendliness and meaningful operating economy. They can be essential elements in realizing the potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than 100 million tonnes of CO2.