Cyclize, a German cleantech startup founded in 2023, has developed non-thermal plasma technology that converts plastic waste and CO₂ into syngas. Syngas can be used as a feedstock for producing various chemicals, including polymers, methanol, and e-fuels. This process not only addresses plastic waste but also aims to reduce CO₂ emissions, contributing to a more sustainable circular carbon economy.
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Challenges: plastic recycling
Plastic waste is a major environmental challenge, with over 450 million tons produced in 2019, and more than 350 million tons turning into waste. Most of this waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, while only a small portion is recycled. This situation underscores the urgent need for effective recycling solutions. Technologies like gasification and pyrolysis offer potential methods for recycling plastics.
The gasification process involves reacting plastic waste with a gasifying agent, such as steam, oxygen, or air, at high temperatures between 500 ºC and 1300 ºC. This reaction produces synthesis gas (syngas), a mixture of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO). Gasification can handle a wide variety of plastic types, including mixed and contaminated plastics, making it a versatile solution for plastic waste management. However, challenges like tar formation and the requirement for advanced gas cleaning systems necessitate further research and development.
Pyrolysis is a process that heats plastic waste to high temperatures, typically between 400 ºC and 600 ºC, without oxygen. This thermal degradation breaks down long-chain polymers into smaller molecules, producing a mixture of liquid, gaseous, and solid products, such as pyrolysis oil, syngas, and char. It is increasingly recognized as an alternative method for managing plastic waste, particularly for types that are challenging to recycle through conventional methods. However, further research and technological advancements are necessary to enhance its efficiency, product quality, and economic viability.
Cyclize Technology
Cyclize has developed an innovative non-thermal plasma reactor that utilizes renewable electricity to transform plastic waste and CO₂ into syngas. This versatile mixture of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) serves as a valuable feedstock for manufacturing various products, including plastics, methanol, and e-fuels. The technology offers a promising solution for waste reduction and sustainable material production.
Cyclize's innovative method generates high-temperature plasma to decompose mixed plastic wastes without sorting or pre-treatment, offering a significant advantage over traditional recycling methods. The mixed plastic wastes include polyester, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate, etc. As Cyclize’s method is a catalyst-free process, it can handle plastic wastes containing halogen and metal impurities, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
The method is carbon negative, using CO₂ as the starting raw material. CO₂ could be captured from industrial facilities like cement plants, steel mills, or chemical plants that produce concentrated streams of CO₂ emissions. Direct air capture (DAC) technology could potentially be used to source CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.
Cyclize's plasma reactor converts plastic wastes and CO₂ gas into syngas through two main processes:
- High-temperature plasma breaks down polymers into small molecules (carbon, methane, etc.)
- Pyrolysis gas product reforms with CO₂ and steam to form syngas
This technology represents a significant step towards sustainable chemical production, addressing both plastic waste and CO₂ emission challenges.
How Cyclize converts CO₂ and plastic waste into fuels
The diagram below depicts Cyclize’s plasma reactor, which converts plastic wastes and CO₂ into syngas.