Plastics are the raw material of many industries, in particular manufacturing. However, it is one of the most difficult substances to disappear in nature. According to scientific sources, the dissolution of plastics takes up to 500 years. In addition, due to the high demand for plastic, it is said that 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the ocean each year. The rapid increase in plastic pollution leads to water and soil pollution, inefficient agriculture, loss of biodiversity, deterioration of the food chain, and the release of harmful organisms. It is said that by 2050, plastic waste will outnumber all fish in the seas.

Of course, those effects that threaten our future are also on the agenda of governments and corporations. Acting with an awareness of their responsibilities towards society and the world, key actors in the business world and official institutions aim at preventing plastic pollution by taking the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as their guide. They embrace the zero-waste principle within the corporate culture and invest in sustainable technologies in their business areas by focusing on R&D and innovation studies.

Zero Waste and Recycling

Plastics are an essential raw material in the manufacturing sector, especially in construction, agriculture, durable consumer goods, automotive and electronics, and in the food and service sector as packaging material. It is, therefore, essential to evaluate opportunities and prevent risks in combating plastic pollution.

In addition to zero waste projects, focusing on plastic waste recycling technologies will reduce the demand for fossil fuels and other resources and significantly contribute to the circular economy. While reducing countries' foreign dependence on plastic supplies can also create new market opportunities for recycled plastics.

What are the well-known methods of plastic recycling?

No question is that reusing plastic waste sustainably will add value to the country's economy. Several mechanical methods can be used to do this, such as separating, grinding, washing, drying, and granulating. However, the quality of the products obtained can be poor, and this clearly requires intensive work.

Another approach is to recycle organically. This method converts plastics into carbon dioxide, methane, water, and some organic waste using techniques like composting. However, the fact that this method only applies to biodegradable polymers may be regarded as a negative factor.

At the same time, chemical recycling technologies have become world-renowned in the business world, especially in recent years. This is because it provides much higher efficiency and product quality than other methods. Although these technologies alter the chemical structure of waste, they provide many more excellent opportunities for innovation processes and sustainable markets.

Inspiring Examples from the World

The University of Bath has demonstrated one of the exciting developments concerning plastic recycling. The researchers have developed a fast and efficient method of recycling plastic waste at room temperature. Using chemical recycling, a zinc-based catalyst, and methanol, they decomposed the plastic waste in 20 minutes. They have divided them into components to produce different value-added products.

Another good news came from Mura Technology Company, which operates a sustainable technology and innovation business. The company aims to recycle plastic waste using hydrothermal methods and expects to open its factory next year. Using steam pressure and water temperature, it seeks to turn plastic waste into its pure form. It is also intended that the plastic to be recycled can be used in packaging that comes into contact with food.

Leading Project from SOCAR Türkiye R&D!

As an energy company that cares about the world, society, and the environment, we also strive to enhance the recycling potential of our country. Our SOCAR Türkiye R&D and Innovation Center commissioned the “Development of Raw Materials Suitable for Refinery and Petrochemical Inputs from Waste Polyolefins” Project. The project, carried out in collaboration with METU, aims to develop high-efficiency catalysts and processes to create suitable raw materials for the petrochemical industry using chemical methods from plastic waste.

With the catalyst and process to be developed, it will be possible to convert waste polyolefins into high-value-added products under milder conditions. The project outputs will be processed in refinery and petrochemical processes and used as raw materials to produce primary polymers.

In summary, it is promising to obtain simpler molecules of greater value from plastic waste and to provide raw materials to sectors through chemical recycling. Thus, while the harmful effects of plastic pollution will be mitigated to a certain extent, opportunities for innovation that support the circular economy will be opened up.