LG Chem to build plastic recycling facility in South Korea

LG CHEM has invested in Mura Technology’s plastic recycling process, and has also announced that it will build a recycling facility in South Korea using the technology.

LG Chem has purchased a licence for Mura’s recycling process, named Hydrothermal Plastic Recycling Technology (Hydro-PRT), from KBR, Mura’s licensing partner. A recycling plant using Hydro-PRT is already in development at Teesside, UK, by Wood and ReNew ELP and is expected to be completed this year.

The proprietary technology can convert mixed plastic waste streams into fossil-replacement oils and chemicals which can be used to make new plastics. According to Mura, it uses supercritical water, heat, and pressure to process plastic waste by breaking down the long-chain hydrocarbons into short-chain hydrocarbon products. Around 85% of the plastic waste can be converted into hydrocarbon products.

LG Chem plans to construct a hydrothermal upgrading facility with an initial recycling capacity of 25,000 t/y of plastic waste. The facility is expected to produce 20,000 t/y of pyrolysis oil when it becomes operational in 2024.

Kug-lae Noh, President of LG Chem, said: “LG Chem is pleased to announce an investment in Mura’s Hydro-PRT Technology. By purchasing a licence, we will construct our own hydrothermal recycle facility using the process. We see this as an extremely important step towards tackling plastic waste pollution and slashing the carbon emissions which threaten our environment.”

Steve Mahon, CEO of Mura Technology, said: “We need efficient and scalable solutions today to cut plastic pollution, which is why we are continuing to work with industrial-scale partners around the world. These businesses provide the global platform our technology needs to drive real change, and our expanded partnership with LG Chem is another vital step towards a truly circular economy.”