Phase 1

Characterisation and pre-treatment of unsorted plastic waste: The process starts with pre-processing of unsorted plastic waste streams which do not find any market and is landfilled or incinerated (including mixed plastics RDF). PREZERO provides the waste from its sorting and management facilities, and it receives unsorted plastic waste within Spain. Also, a waste stream sent by SCGC (ASEAN country) is tested. These streams are tested and pre-processed by applying an appropriate and compatible pre-treatment to achieve the parameters required for pyrolysis treatment process.

Economical parameters such as plastic waste price and availability are considered in the selection of the plastic waste flows.  It is taken  into account for the variability of waste depending on time and location. This step is needed to ensure optimisation of the materials for best mix needed to produce polyolefins.

Different plastic waste samples (5 provided by PreZero and 2 provided by SCGC) have been prepared and characterised to be densified and tested in the pilot plant. PreZero has analyzed different processes as manual and optical separation to sort optimal fractions. Material characterizations were performed to identify compounds that can influence the pyrolysis process and the quality of the products obtained, and other impurities that can damage the plant during the feeding process and the reactor due to melting issues on the screw. Once materials were prepared, they were sent to ACTECO to be densified.