Breakthrough in combating the Earth's most common pollutant: waste will be transformed into fuel.

Plastics are incredibly versatile materials that have become an integral part of nearly every aspect of modern life. Statistics indicate that global plastic production currently exceeds 400 million tons per year, and its impact on the environment has reached a critical level on a planetary scale, as reported by SciTechDaily.

Researchers note that a significant portion of plastic waste, around 90%, is still not recycled today, exacerbating the crisis. Innovative technologies are urgently needed to address this growing issue, and scientists are working on their development.

In a new study, a team from the Seoul National University of Science and Technology (Korea) introduced a groundbreaking catalyst technology that, according to the authors, could revolutionize the fight against plastic pollution. The team emphasizes that their new technology is capable of converting waste into valuable fuel.

According to the lead author of the study, Professor Insu Ro, he and his colleagues made a breakthrough discovery in the catalytic recycling of polyolefins, which constitute 55% of global plastic waste. The authors highlight that they have uncovered remarkable benefits from adding water during the depolymerization of polyolefins using ruthenium (Ru)-based catalysts.

The team conducted synthesis and a series of experiments with various Ru-based catalysts on different supports and found that catalysts with metallic and acidic centers exhibit significantly improved conversion rates when water is added to the reaction mixture. Dr. Ro states that they discovered that adding water alters the reaction mechanisms, facilitating pathways that enhance catalytic activity while simultaneously suppressing coke formation. This dual role increases process efficiency, extends catalyst lifespan, and reduces operational costs.

The researchers thoroughly examined the reaction mechanisms, shedding light on the influence of Ru content, as well as the proximity and balance between metallic and acidic centers. Under optimal conditions, Ru/zeolite-Y catalysts demonstrated a 96.9% conversion rate for polyolefins.

Furthermore, the scientists conducted a techno-economic analysis and assessed the life cycle of the proposed approach. The results clearly highlight the potential for implementing a viable process on an industrial scale using Ru/zeolite-Y catalysts.

In simple terms, adding water not only enhances carbon efficiency but also improves both economic and environmental metrics. It also increases the conversion of polyolefins into valuable fuels such as gasoline and diesel. According to Ro, their development indeed offers a viable alternative to traditional waste management and recycling methods.

Overall, this breakthrough in catalytic depolymerization could revolutionize how humanity tackles plastic pollution. Additionally, the new technology may effectively combat this serious environmental threat.