Rapid melting of plastic waste achieved in instantaneous time frame by pioneering hydrogen-powered plasma torching technology.

In a groundbreaking development, South Korean researchers have announced the creation of the world's first hydrogen-powered plasma torch. This innovative technology, developed by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) under the leadership of Dr. Young-Hoon Song, promises to revolutionise the plastic recycling industry.

The plasma process selectively converts plastic waste into ethylene and benzene with a high selectivity of 70-90%. Moreover, it suppresses carbon formation using 100% hydrogen fuel, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional recycling methods.

The research group, led by Prof. Manja Krüger at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU), has been instrumental in developing the plasma process technology. This technology converts unsorted plastic waste into valuable chemicals, marking a significant step towards solving the waste and carbon issues simultaneously.

One of the key advantages of this new technology is its ability to operate at ultra-high temperatures, rapidly breaking down polymer structures. This eliminates the need for sorting plastics before recycling, a costly and time-consuming process that has hindered the chemical recycling rate in the past.

Pilot operations have shown that the cost of producing ethylene with this method is comparable to that of traditional fossil fuel sources. Furthermore, after purification, the resulting raw materials are over 99% pure and can be used to manufacture new plastics.

When powered by renewable energy, the plasma process has the potential to be a carbon-free method for recycling plastic, making it an attractive solution for environmentalists and industry alike.

The team plans to begin long-term demonstration operations in South Korea in 2026 to prepare for industrial-scale implementation. The plasma process technology also holds promise for other fields, such as greenhouse gas treatment in semiconductor and display manufacturing, and high-value material production.

Several key sub-technologies developed during this project could be extended to these areas, further enhancing its potential impact. The plasma process produces fewer by-products compared to traditional chemical recycling techniques like pyrolysis, making it a more efficient and cleaner solution.

This innovative technology is expected to be a game-changer in the plastic recycling industry, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution to the growing problem of plastic waste. The researchers' announcement has generated widespread interest, with many looking forward to the long-term demonstration operations and the prospect of industrial-scale implementation.