Plastic can be converted into petrol, diesel and other hydrocarbons. CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad has developed a catalyst that can be used for conversion of waste plastics to fuel oils. CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun in collaboration with GAIL (India) Ltd. has developed a process by which waste polyethylene and polypropylene type plastics can be converted into petrol and diesel. One kilogram of waste polyethylene and polypropylene can be converted to either about 600-650 ml of petrol or 700-750 ml of diesel along with LPG. The process has been developed at the bench scale.
There are certain plants operating in foreign countries which claim to convert waste plastics into plastic oil/fuel oil/diesel.
Hope this process comes out of the labs and can be used on a big scale. All around waste polythene can be seen, causing problems in many ways and this process, if viable on a large scale, can be a blessing for all.
