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Current Trends in Waste Plastics’ Liquefaction into Fuel Fraction: A Review

Author

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  • Anna Matuszewska

    (Łukasiewicz Research Network—Automotive Industry Institute, Jagiellońska Str. 55, 03-301 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Marlena Owczuk

    (Łukasiewicz Research Network—Automotive Industry Institute, Jagiellońska Str. 55, 03-301 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Krzysztof Biernat

    (Łukasiewicz Research Network—Automotive Industry Institute, Jagiellońska Str. 55, 03-301 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Polymers and plastics are crucial materials in many sectors of our economy, due to their numerous advantages. They also have some disadvantages, among the most important are problems with the recycling and disposal of used plastics. The recovery of waste plastics is increasing every year, but over 27% of plastics are landfilled. The rest is recycled, where, unfortunately, incineration is still the most common management method. From an economic perspective, waste management methods that lead to added-value products are most preferred—as in the case of material and chemical recycling. Since chemical recycling can be used for difficult wastes (poorly selected, contaminated), it seems to be the most effective way of managing these materials. Moreover, as a result this of kind of recycling, it is possible to obtain commercially valuable products, such as fractions for fuel composition and monomers for the reproduction of polymers. This review focuses on various liquefaction technologies as a prospective recycling method for three types of plastic waste: PE, PP and PS.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Matuszewska & Marlena Owczuk & Krzysztof Biernat, 2022. "Current Trends in Waste Plastics’ Liquefaction into Fuel Fraction: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-32, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:8:p:2719-:d:788850
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    4. Kim, Jung-Hun & Jung, Sungyup & Lee, Taewoo & Tsang, Yiu Fai & Kwon, Eilhann E., 2024. "Thermo-chemical disposal of plastic waste from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) using CO2," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).

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