Creating a smartly tailored process design can ensure 100 per cent conversion of waste into a desired mix of fuels without leaving any scope for secondary pollution (Picture: design by Snehal Shanmugum Pillai; published in PROCESS India November 2013)
Waste to Wealth

Researchers Turn Plastic Waste into Fuel

From landfills to the Pacific Garbage Patch: Plastic waste is a major environmental and public health problem. India alone consumes 11 million tonnes of plastic per year out of which 5.6 million tonnes turns into waste. Now, a new technology from India could help to convert these waste amounts of waste into valueable high-indemand fuels virtually without causing any secondary pollution in the process...

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In addition to biopolymers which are accessible through fermentation such as PHB and enzymes like thermostable glucananase and xylanase for animal feed, BASF is also looking at the fermentation of succinic acid. (Pictures: BASF) (Archiv: Vogel Business Media)
Seeking an Intelligent Mix

Where Will the Chemical Industry Get Its Raw Materials in the Future?

Whether coal, gas or even biomass will replace petroleum as the chemical raw material of the future is not yet clear. However, one thing is certain. Alternatives will be needed in the long term despite that fact the even pessimists predict that oil will be available for the next forty years. High prices, increasing consumption in Asia and the chaotic political situation in the oil producing countries add an element of urgency to the discussion on diversification of the raw material base. The industry is looking for an intelligent mix and an evolutionary approach to the supply of raw materials.

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