Researchers from East China Normal University (ECNU) have developed a method that allows even contaminated plastic waste to be converted into fuel and an industrial chemical in a single step—at a temperature of only 30 °C (86 °F).
The problem of plastic pollution remains one of the most acute environmental threats: waste is accumulating faster than it can be recycled. However, new research published in the journal Science offers a breakthrough solution. The scientists described a one-step process that converts mixed plastics—including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyolefins—into gasoline-range hydrocarbons and hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Lead researcher Professor Wei Zhang from East China Normal University notes that the method is suitable for processing real, contaminated plastic waste streams, without requiring complex sorting. This is especially important because most plastics—from packaging to construction materials—contain impurities that complicate their reuse.
The new technology combines three key reactions—dechlorination, carbon-bond cleavage, and fuel formation—in a single process, catalyzed by chloroaluminate ionic liquids. As a result, at a temperature of just 86 °F (about 30 °C), up to 99% conversion of the waste is achieved, with pure hydrochloric acid as a byproduct that can be reused in industry.
The scientists emphasize that this method consumes less energy than traditional pyrolysis and could become a practical solution for regions where waste sorting is limited. If the technology is scaled up, it could significantly reduce the volume of plastic waste while simultaneously producing in-demand fuel.
