United Kingdom-based Recycling Technologies has announced that it has closed a recent funding round in record time, raising £5 million, or $6.6 million. The company says it is now searching for additional sites for its chemical recycling machine, which converts residual plastic scrap into oil.

Recycling Technologies will be at the RWM Exhibition in Birmingham, England, Sept. 12-14, 2017, and says it “is keen to meet with waste management partners and suppliers to start discussions about new site acquisitions in 2018 and beyond.”

The company says it has operated successfully at the Swindon material recovery facility (MRF) based in Cheney Manor in England using its chemical technology to recycle residual plastic scrap into a low-sulfur hydrocarbon product called Plaxx. Plaxx can be used as a feedstock for new polymer and wax manufacturing, replacing fossil-fuel-derived raw materials and propelling plastics into the circular economy.

Recycling Technologies says it is preparing for further trials at the end of 2017 to ramp up to continuous operations.

This chemical recycling technology offers an alternative to landfill and energy-from-waste (EfW) incineration for residual plastic scra[ and boosts the recycling rate for mixed plastics from 30 percent achieved with existing mechanical treatment to 90 percent with these technologies combined, according to the company.

Recycling Technologies says it is looking to partner with more waste management operators and local councils with a view to increase the number of sites from which it can operate. The machine Recycling Technologies has created takes the solution for plastic scrap to the source of the problem, usually a MRF or plastics recycling facility (PRF), rather than the problem to the solution, the company explains. The technology is housed in a chemical recycling unit called the RT7000, capable of treating 7000 tons of mixed plastics per annum from household as well as commercial and industrial (C&I) streams.

By combining mechanical and chemical recycling and working them in synergies, Recycling Technologies says, “virtually all plastics from households, offices and shops can be recycled.”

The company adds, “Even materials that previously have been regarded as unrecyclable, including black trays, laminated food pouches, films and contaminated food packaging can be processed.

“With Recycling Technologies as part of the processing infrastructure, there is potential for local councils to consider simplifying the collection of plastic waste from households and commercial sites into a single all plastics bin,” the company continues.

Bernie Brannan, corporate director, Swindon Borough Council, says, “It is evident that this technology should have financial, environmental and economic benefits, not only for Swindon but further afield as well.”

On the back of its activity in Swindon’s Cheney Manor MRF, Recycling Technologies says it is establishing recycling facilities in Scotland in as early as 2018 to support delivery of the Scottish government’s circular economy strategy. The RT7000 will be located in Binn Farm, Perthshire, run by leading independent recycling and waste services company Binn Group, Scotland. 

David Sanderson, group finance director of Binn Group, says, “This innovative chemical recycling technology solution manages plastics waste streams from diverse sectors enabling us to improve services, reduce costs and meet environmental commitments. Partnering with Recycling Technologies gives Binn Group a distinct advantage in the Scottish plastic waste market.”

Adrian Griffiths, CEO at Recycling Technologies, adds, “2017 has been a fantastic year for Recycling Technologies. We have a viable solution to make the circular economy a reality and taking end-of-life plastic and turning it into more plastic is a great way to do this. As a team, we’ve come a long way in a short period of time and I am very excited for what the future holds in Swindon, Scotland, and as we expand in the U.K. and internationally. The investment we are getting shows that there is a lot of support and belief in what we are achieving. This is a great moment for talented people to join the company.”

» Publication Date: 07/09/2017

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