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19 Mar 2012: U.S. Startup Develops Process
To Convert Plastic Waste into Oil

A U.S. startup company says it has developed a technology to convert plastic waste into a highly refined, low-sulphur oil, an innovation company officials say could provide a domestic source of fuel and keep untold amounts of plastic out of landfills. Developed by New York-based JBI Inc., the so-called Plastic2Oil system melts up to 4,000 pounds of plastic waste per hour, producing a liquid stream that is then vaporized in a process that rearranges the materials’ hydrocarbon chains, capturing about 86 percent of the hydrocarbon content of the plastics. Ultimately, the process produces a fuel that can be used in diesel engines, ship engines, and power plants. “When there have been attempts in the past to make fuel from plastic, it’s been low-quality, low-flashpoint, kind of sludgy,” John Bordynuik, the company’s founder, told NPR. “In this case, we’re making a very highly refined, consistent product that's within specifications of any standardized fuel.” The company says it has signed deals to work with companies that generate significant amounts of plastic waste.

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