U.S. Develops New Technology for Production of Diesel Fuel from Waste Plastics

The United States Environmental Fuel Development Corporation (EFD) recently developed a patented technology for recovering diesel from mixed waste plastics. This patented technology heats the waste plastic above 700°C and sprays it on the catalytic plate to produce diesel under near-negative pressure conditions. The diesel produced can be used directly or used for blending. The company has licensed this patented technology to Ozmotech Australia. Ozmotech plans to start production of 10 small plants in Australia in February 2003. Each plant will have an investment of about A$5 million (US$2.5 million) and is expected to recover its investment in about one year.