CRC-P - Circular economy for upcycling waste polystyrene into high-valued chemicals

Polystyrene (PS) and expanded PS (EPS) waste are stockpiling in Australia.

EPS’s low density makes transport to recycling centres uneconomical where only a small fraction is recycled into low-value products. The rest enters landfills causing economic and environmental problems. New processes to upcycle PS/EPS into market-ready high-value products are needed. This project will develop a novel industrial process to convert PS/EPS waste into high-valued material (styrene monomer) and activated carbon by a portable energy-efficient catalytic pyrolysis reactor. Deploying the system on-site at PS/EPS waste production points reduces recycling costs, and creates value from waste, jobs, new market opportunities, and sovereign capability for Australia.

Partners

Sebstainable Pty Ltd
Ikon Waste Solutions Pty Ltd
Bygen Pty Ltd
BASF Australia Ltd
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
CSIRO

Total project value

$6,646,165

Team leads

Dr. Ylias Sabri, ylias.sabri@rmit.edu.au

Dr. Maciej Mazur (Additive manufacturing), maciej.mazur@rmit.edu.au

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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