Coolbrook's Pilot Facility Successfully Cracks 100% Plastic Waste-Derived Pyrolysis Oil

Pyrolysis oil extracted from waste is an important component of the plastic recycling loop. By demonstrating that RDR can effectively process this challenging feedstock, Coolbrook is paving the way for the sustainable production of olefins using scrap plastic.

This breakthrough builds on Coolbrook's earlier success at the pilot plant in Brightlands, Netherlands, where we demonstrated the ability to heat a range of gases, including air, steam, nitrogen, and methane, to over 1000 °C using renewable electricity. Coolbrook also successfully cracked naphtha at the pilot plant, achieving significantly higher yields compared to traditional furnaces, further proving the versatility of its technology. With the new py-oil cracking results, Coolbrook has demonstrated that its turbine-based electrification process can be extended to the cracking of real-world circular feedstocks.

Dr. Tuomas Ouni, Head of Process Development, said:Directly cracking 100% pyrolysis oil without the need to dilute with traditional fossil materials simplifies the process and enhances the traceability of circular materials. Compared to traditional furnaces, using Coolbrook's RDR also has advantages in ethylene and propylene yields without significantly increasing the coking rate. These results confirm the potential of Coolbrook's RDR to play a central role in decarbonization and circularity in the petrochemical industry.

These tests were conducted as part of the eLECTRO project, which is funded by the EU Horizon Europe program aimed at developing an electrification pathway to convert mixed plastic waste into lightweight olefins. It combines advanced waste pretreatment, electric pyrolysis, and electric cracking via Coolbrook's RDR. The project aims to demonstrate sustainable, circular, and scalable solutions for the future of plastics and petrochemical products.