Mumbai: Reliance Industries Ltd, the operator of the world's largest integrated oil refining and petrochemical complex, has announced a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian company to employ chemical recycling to transform plastic waste into high-quality materials for new plastics.
In an effort to address the plastic waste challenge and bolster the circular economy in India, Reliance has pioneered the chemical recycling of plastic waste-based pyrolysis oil, resulting in the production of International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)-Plus certified circular polymers. This groundbreaking initiative positions Reliance at the forefront of sustainable practices within the country.
Highlighting the advantages of chemical recycling, the company stated, "Chemical recycling offers numerous benefits, including the transformation of plastic waste into high-quality materials suitable for new plastic. These materials find application in packaging, particularly those in direct contact with food."
Reliance has successfully developed a cutting-edge technology capable of converting various types of plastic waste, including single-use and multi-layered plastics, into pyrolysis oil. Collaborating with trusted partners, the company aims to scale up production and channel the yield into the creation of circular polymers.
At its Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, Reliance has initiated the processing of chemically recycled pyrolysis oil to manufacture ISCC-Plus certified circular polymers, named CircuRepol (Polypropylene) and CircuRelene (Polyethylene).
Chemical recycling represents a recent breakthrough where mechanically non-recyclable plastic waste undergoes transformation into pyrolysis oil through the controlled cracking of long polymer chains. In contrast to thermal-based pyrolysis processes, Reliance's continuous catalytic pyrolysis technology ensures higher yields and superior quality pyrolysis oil. Successful demonstrations have been conducted at a demo scale.
With a monthly processing capacity of up to 600 tonnes of chemically recycled pyrolysis oil, Reliance is transforming existing pyrolysis producers into dependable vendors to uphold stringent quality specifications.
Employing a multi-faceted approach, including PET recycling and the conversion of end-of-life plastics into roads and circular polymers, Reliance annually recycles 5 billion post-consumer PET bottles. The company aspires to achieve an overall capacity of 1 million tonnes through its sustainability initiatives by 2030.
Reliance has shipped its inaugural batch of ISCC-Plus-certified circular polymers, CircuRepol (polypropylene) and CircuRelene (polyethylene), marking a significant step forward in India's adoption of innovative technology for plastic recycling. This accomplishment underscores Reliance's commitment to sustainability and its dedication to forging a circular economy.
CircuRepol and CircuRelene are designed to set benchmarks in circular economy practices. The Jamnagar refinery's distinction as the first to attain ISCC-Plus certification reinforces Reliance's ability to produce circular polymers through chemical recycling, ensuring adherence to traceability and regulatory standards.