EcoFuels: We turn an environmental problem into an energy solution
OPPORTUNITY
The management of single-use plastic waste has become a major problem worldwide. Global production of this type of plastic reaches 8.3 billion tons. Chile generates almost one million tons of plastic waste per year. In terms of reuse, our country recycles only 8% of all plastics, leading to the accumulation of tons of this material as trash, which has formed an island off the northern coast of our country that, as of 2019, was three times the size of continental Chile.
DESCRIPTION
EcoFuels has developed a portable device that adds value to plastic waste by transforming it into liquid or gaseous fuels. The technology aims to increase recycling capacity while reducing the high logistics costs of traditional plastic recycling by up to 80%, especially for institutions that must comply with Chile’s Extended Producer Responsibility and Recycling Promotion Law (Ley REP). In addition to being portable, EcoFuels works with separated or mixed plastics. Finally, the technology does not require the plastics to be clean, avoiding the use of approximately 5.3 liters of water to recycle one kilogram of plastic (zero water footprint).
SOLUTION
EcoFuels is a portable, modular and easy-to-use device that, through a highly efficient thermochemical process (up to 75%), adds value to plastic waste and transforms it into liquid and/or gaseous fuels. The device can process various types of plastic waste, both separately and mixed: polypropylene (PP), low/high-density polyethylene (LDPE/HDPE) and polystyrene (PS). It uses no water.
TECHNOLOGY
TRL 4, validated in the laboratory.
PROTECTION
The EcoFuels technology has a pending patent (PCT/CL2020/050074) claiming a system for obtaining liquid fuel from plastic waste or polymeric material.
MARKET
Market size: USD 972 million (2019)
CAGR: 8.2%
Segment: Plastic to Fuel
BUSINESS MODEL
Two potential business models:
1) EcoFuels will manufacture and sell the portable devices to multiple industries that need to add value to plastic waste.
2) EcoFuels will license the technology to companies with manufacturing and commercialization capacity worldwide.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
- 75% plastic conversion yield.
- 90% reduction in gas emissions compared to other thermochemical systems.
- It uses no water, so it leaves no water footprint
CONTACT
Jovanka Trebotich Zúñiga
Technology Transfer Coordinator
jovanka.trebotich@knowhub.cl
+56 22 389 5600
