As Europe seeks solutions to reduce plastic waste and fossil dependency, research and innovation play a pivotal role. One of the frontrunners in this mission is VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, a powerhouse of scientific expertise and industrial-scale testing capabilities.
With a strong legacy in thermochemical processing and gas purification, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a key partner in the Plastics2Olefins project, driving forward the development of clean, scalable solutions for converting plastic waste into valuable olefins.
About VTT: Science with impact
VTT is a leading European research and technology organization, committed to driving sustainable growth through applied science and innovation.
“With a mission to solve the biggest challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities, VTT operates across diverse domains such as clean energy, circular economy, digital technologies, and industrial systems,” says Dr. Michal Jeremias, Principal Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
At the forefront of industrial R&D, VTT blends world-class science with pilot-scale capabilities and deep expertise in thermochemical processes, catalysis, and advanced materials. Its work in chemical recycling and gas purification has made it a trusted partner in multiple large-scale EU projects aiming to accelerate the green transition.
Role and Contribution in Plastics2Olefins
In Plastics2Olefins, VTT is leading the development and testing of gas purification processes that enable the use of pyrolysis gas rich in olefins, produced from high-temperature conversion of plastic waste.
“The work focused on removing harmful contaminants such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), carbonyl sulphide (COS), ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), methyl chloride (CH₃Cl), and carbon monoxide (CO), which can negatively affect downstream processes,” explains Dr. Jeremias.
To address this, VTT upgraded its ultra-cleaning unit (UC5) to support a flexible mix of cleaning steps such as scrubbing and adsorption. Multiple test campaigns were run with simulated pyrolysis gas mixtures, under both dry and humid conditions, to evaluate the performance of different materials and setups.
In parallel, lab-scale experiments helped assess the efficiency, capacity, and stability of selected materials in removing specific gas components.
“The results from both pilot and lab-scale work have contributed to the development of an optimized and scalable gas purification concept for the safe integration of pyrolysis gas into downstream olefin production,” says the VTT scientist.
From Lab to Pilot: Testing, Tuning, Transforming
VTT has successfully completed a series of pilot- and laboratory-scale experiments to evaluate different gas cleaning strategies for pyrolysis gas with high olefin content.
“Test campaigns focused on assessing the removal efficiency of key contaminants using both dry and humid conditions. Adsorption materials and scrubber setups were screened for their ability to reduce sulphur- and chlorine-containing compounds to required levels. In parallel, complementary lab-scale tests were conducted to examine breakthrough behaviour, the effect of water vapor, and long-term material performance,” explains Dr. Jeremias.
The upgraded ultra-cleaning unit (UC5) was commissioned and tested with simulated gas compositions, supporting the development of an integrated and adaptable cleaning concept.
Results and Findings
VTT’s work has provided critical data and validation for the gas purification concept at the heart of Plastics2Olefins.
“The UC5 unit operated successfully in various configurations, allowing systematic evaluation of process steps for gas cleaning,” emphasizes Dr. Jeremias.
Key findings include:
- Efficient removal of hydrogen sulphide using scrubbing and adsorption methods
- Selective adsorption of COS and CH₃Cl with ZnO- and CuO-based materials and molecular sieves
- Humidity-sensitive material performance, requiring tailored process control
- Breakthrough and saturation testing to understand regeneration potential and operational stability
“These results form the basis for the gas purification concept developed by VTT and partners, which supports the ongoing integration of gas cleaning into the overall Plastics2Olefins system,” concludes Dr. Jeremias.