Biofuels and Bioenergy

Plastics-to-Biofuels

Plastics-to-biofuels technology offers an innovative approach to addressing plastic waste while producing renewable energy. With millions of tons of plastic waste accumulating globally, converting non-recyclable plastics into biofuels presents a sustainable solution to both environmental pollution and energy shortages. This process primarily relies on thermochemical methods such as pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal liquefaction, where plastic waste is broken down under high temperatures in the absence of oxygen to produce liquid bio-oil, syngas, and other valuable chemicals. Pyrolysis is the most widely used method, yielding bio-oil that can be refined into diesel, gasoline, or jet fuel, providing an alternative to fossil fuels. One of the significant advantages of plastics-to-biofuels technology is its potential to reduce landfill waste and ocean pollution while generating energy from discarded plastics that would otherwise persist in the environment for centuries. Additionally, this approach reduces reliance on crude oil, lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional petroleum refining, and supports circular economy principles by reintroducing waste into the energy cycle.