PTQ Q4 2024 Issue

Cooperation between government entities, waste manage- ment companies, recycling organisations, manufacturers, and consumers can facilitate the development of compre- hensive recycling systems and promote a circular economy approach. By addressing these factors collectively, it is possible to create an environment that enables effective and wide- spread recycling of plastic waste, contributing to the reduc- tion of plastic pollution and the promotion of the potential to achieve more large-scale upscale recycling of plastic waste to valuable chemicals. Step 2: Implementing the technical and commercial inno- vations utilising recycled raw materials to create valuable chemicals After the first steps to enable plastic recycling, then the achievement of the second step, large-scale upcycling of plastic waste to valuable chemicals like polyethylene requires a combination of technical expertise, innovative processes, and a robust supply chain. Some key compo- nents that are necessary to achieve this second step of suc- cessful large-scale upcycling of plastic waste include: • Feedstock preparation and processing: The first step in upcycling plastic waste is to prepare and process the feedstock. This involves sorting, cleaning, and shredding the waste into a consistent size and quality. If sorting is successful as plastic waste is collected, then the level of process and quality control is improved. Advanced tech- nologies such as pyrolysis, gasification, or catalytic depo - lymerisation can be used to break down the plastic waste into valuable chemicals. • Innovative technologies and processes: Innovative technologies and processes are essential for large-scale upcycling of plastic waste. These can include advanced catalysts, process optimisation, or novel reactor designs that enable high efficiency and selectivity. Innovations in process control and automation can also enhance consis- tency and reduce variability in product quality. • Supply chain management: A reliable and robust sup- ply chain is necessary for large-scale upcycling of plastic waste. This includes identifying sources of plastic waste, establishing collection and transportation infrastructure, and ensuring consistent feedstock quality and availability. Collaboration with waste management companies, munici- palities, and other stakeholders in the supply chain is key to ensuring a steady supply of plastic waste. • Market demand: The success of large-scale upcycling of plastic waste also depends on market demand for the products produced from the process. Identifying and devel- oping markets for the products, such as polyethylene, is necessary to ensure the economic viability of the process. The public in a given region needs to support the market initiative. Overall, large-scale upcycling of plastic waste to valuable chemicals like polyethylene can be considered in two major steps. The first step creates the recycling policy, recycling culture, and infrastructure to drive recycling of plastics. Then the second step requires a combination of techni- cal innovation, supply chain expertise, and market fit to

achieve a sustainable improvement that can deliver on the promise of large-scale upcycling of plastic wastes to valu- able chemicals like polyethylene. Q Why are some of the world’s best refineries more effi - cient than some of the world’s newest refineries? A Romain Roux, Vice-President Decarbonization and Consulting, Axens, romain.roux@axens.net The world’s best refineries often outperform the new - est ones due to their focus on efficiency and continuous improvement. According to Solomon surveys, these refin - eries are identified as being 20% more energy efficient, having lower costs, being more reliable, and being 60% more profitable. Efficiency is not solely a product of new technology or infrastructure but also of operational practices. These refin - eries have balanced their key financial metrics with key operating metrics, avoiding an excessive focus on operat- ing costs. They have also adapted to their regional eco- nomic environments, which prevents a refinery from being penalised for its location. Catalysts play a pivotal role in the petroleum refining pro - cess, enabling efficient conversion of crude oil into valuable fuels and products. High-performance catalysts lead to higher productivity and lower energy consumption, result- ing in optimal operational efficiency. On the other hand, decarbonisation through energy effi - ciency is a critical aspect of refinery operations. Crude oil refining accounts for 6-8% of all global industrial energy consumption. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is crit - ical for all refineries and in all processes, with a focus on the main energy consumers. Energy efficiency opportunities available for petroleum refineries include energy manage - ment systems, energy recovery, steam generation and dis- tribution, heat exchangers (using high-efficiency heaters), process integration, process heaters (very high efficiency or electrical heaters), and hydrogen management and recov - ery. These measures not only reduce energy consumption but also contribute to environmental sustainability. In conclusion, the world’s best refineries can be more efficient than some of the newest ones because they con - tinuously improve their operations, adapt to their environ- ments, and balance their financial and operating metrics. This focus on efficiency and adaptability allows them to achieve superior performance. Therefore, it is crucial for new and existing refineries to adopt these best practices and continuously strive for improvement. This will not only enhance their efficiency but also contribute to a sustainable and profitable future. A Mark Schmalfeld, Global Marketing Manager, BASF Refinery Catalysts, mark.schmaldfeld@basf.com It may seem counterintuitive, but it is not uncommon for some of the world’s best refineries to be more efficient than some of the newest refineries. This can occur due to several reasons: • Technological advancements: Older refineries may have undergone extensive upgrades and investments in

PTQ Q4 2024