HYDROPLAST

HYDROPLAST is an innovative research initiative focused on developing an advanced chemical recycling technology for plastic waste. The project aims to optimize pyrolysis and hydroprocessing techniques to convert contaminated polyolefin plastic waste into high-value chemical building blocks, including monomers and circular naphtha. By addressing existing challenges in plastic recycling, HYDROPLAST contributes to the transition to a circular carbon economy.

Traditional mechanical recycling faces limitations due to contamination and material degradation, while current chemical recycling methods struggle with impurity removal. Pyrolysis-derived crude plastic oils often contain high levels of chlorine, bromine, oxygen, nitrogen, and metals, making them unsuitable for direct use in petrochemical processes. HYDROPLAST aims to overcome these obstacles through advanced catalyst design and process optimization.

• Feedstock Characterization & Process Optimization: Analyze plastic waste feedstocks and pyrolysis oils to improve process efficiency.
• Catalyst Development: Design novel catalysts for heteroatom removal and hydroprocessing with high conversion (≥90%) and selectivity (≥95%).
• Hydroprocessing & Kinetic Modeling: Develop predictive models to optimize reaction pathways.
• Scale-up to TRL4: Demonstrate the technology at a pilot scale, ensuring industrial feasibility.
• Sustainability & Circularity: Achieve at least 75% recycling of contaminated polyolefins, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 1.8 tons per ton of plastic processed.

HYDROPLAST seamlessly fits within Moonshot MOT2 (Circularity of Carbon in Materials) by enabling high-quality circular naphtha production. The project will help replace fossil feedstocks, reduce reliance on virgin plastics, and cut CO₂ emissions, fostering a more sustainable chemical industry in Flanders.

Led by UGent (LCT), KU Leuven (CSCE), and VITO, HYDROPLAST collaborates with key industry stakeholders. The partnerships will facilitate industrial implementation and commercialization.

Following successful TRL4 demonstration, further scale-up will come within reach by targeted funding, either at the national or the European level, via government funding or industrial partnerships. By advancing chemical recycling, HYDROPLAST positions Flanders as a leader in plastics circularity.