Tech tracker: Plastic recycling tops innovation

From the newsletter

Recycling technologies dominate our technology tracker in the first quarter of the year. Of the five innovations we’ve mapped, two focus on plastic waste recycling, while the rest tackle other waste types. Finland’s Olefy converts mixed plastic waste into petrochemical materials, while Japan’s tech enhances material quality by removing impurities.

• Developed by state-owned VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Olefy’s technology improves the use of plastic waste unsuitable for mechanical recycling, which is typically sent to landfills or burned for energy.

• Japan's Plastic Polyethylene Manufacturing Technology combines a Laser Filter and Sand Remover System to remove contaminants like sand, dirt and ink, which have traditionally hindered the production of high-quality recycled materials.

More details

• Beyond plastics, new innovations are tackling niche waste streams that have historically been overlooked but are critical for broader sustainability goals. For example, the Microwave Joule Heating Technology, developed by Macquarie University and patented by Bayan Mining and Minerals Ltd in Australia, utilises microwave energy to soften the EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) encapsulant in solar panels. This enables easier delamination and the recovery of valuable materials such as silver, silicon, gallium and indium at room temperature. 

• Delamination allows for selective separation of materials without mechanical crushing, overcoming the challenges of cross-contamination and low recovery rates often encountered with conventional methods. The technology eliminates the need for extreme heat or hazardous chemicals, offering a more efficient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional processes.

• In the field of battery recycling, American Aqua Metals, a key player in the metal recycling technology sector, has developed a novel process for efficiently recycling lithium iron phosphate (LFP) black mass from LFP batteries. These batteries are gaining popularity in electric vehicles and stationary storage due to their cost-effectiveness and safety benefits. 

• The technology addresses the unique challenges of recycling LFP batteries, which have a different chemistry and lower market value compared to other chemistries like nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC). Aqua Metals’ technology specifically addresses these challenges, offering a more efficient and cost-effective way to recover valuable materials from LFP batteries.

• The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has introduced a breakthrough in air purification for small-scale businesses. The organisation has developed a Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)  Emissions Control and Regeneration Technology that focuses on regenerating and reusing activated carbon, a key component in air purification systems. This technology, designed for small-scale businesses like automotive painting, improves VOC measurement accuracy to 92% using low-cost sensors and an algorithm.

•  Instead of relying on costly high-temperature regeneration methods, the system regenerates activated carbon at just 200°C, cutting energy consumption by over 70% while maintaining 90% of its original performance. Additionally, the process generates synthetic gas, which powers a generator, further reducing operational costs.

Our take

• These technologies could revolutionise waste management in Africa. However, successful implementation will require strategic partnerships to adapt them to local contexts and scale effectively within the continent’s circular economy.

• The emerging focus on niche waste streams, such as solar panel components, LFP battery black mass and VOCs emissions, reflects a shift toward addressing overlooked but crucial environmental issues. By targeting these niche sectors, innovations are opening new avenues for resource recovery, presenting a more holistic approach to waste management and sustainability.

• Amid the growing plastic crisis, innovations like Finland's Olefy and Japan's Polyethylene Manufacturing Technology offer scalable solutions to improve recycling efficiency, reduce plastic pollution and recover valuable resources, advancing circular economy goals.