A company which specialises in the chemical recycling of plastic waste has opened a new lab in north Leicestershire.
Recycling tech specialist Plastic Energy has opened the research and development facility at the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park.
The business has developed a way of transforming previously unrecyclable plastic waste into TACOIL – a recycled oil that can be used in petrochemical plants to make ethylene and propylene, the key to making new, “virgin-quality” plastic.
It has two chemical recycling plants in Spain and is one of the few companies on earth to sell TACOIL commercially and help replace fossil oils in making new plastics.
Plastic Energy has had a research partnership with Loughborough since 2012 and has grown from laboratory space it shared with the university’s chemistry researchers into a suite of specialist labs and office space on the neighbouring science and enterprise park.
LUSEP will be the hub for Plastic Energy’s work on further development of its technology, improving the quality of the finished, recycled materials.
David McNamara, chief technology officer at Plastic Energy, said: “After a decade of collaboration with Loughborough University, we are delighted to formally open our new Plastic Energy labs and office space at LUSEP.
“This will provide a base for our research team to continue their invaluable work on our technology and act us a hub for internal and external visitors.
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“We are grateful to Loughborough University for their continued support.”
Steve Christie, Loughborough University’s Professor of chemical technologies, said: “LUSEP is an excellent base for Plastic Energy to continue leading the way to help create a circular economy where plastics are re-used repeatedly, for good.
“Co-located with the university’s net zero and sustainability research capabilities, I look forward to us continuing working together to realize this shared goal.”