The Plastcon system
Our Plastcon system is based on a technology known as pyrolysis – a process in which a material, here plastic, is exposed to high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment. With the pyrolysis technology in Plastcon, it is possible to thermally recycle all types of plastic waste from both industry and households – and, importantly, to do so with an absolute minimum of pre-treatment.
The result of the pyrolysis process in Plastcon is a chemical and physical separation of the different molecules in the plastic. More specifically, Plastcon converts the harmful plastic waste into pyrolysis oil, gas and carbon black – and we can then use these resources again. For example, in the production of new plastic products and as a low-emission fuel for ships and trucks.
Below you can see an overview of how our Plastcon technology – and its essential pyrolysis process – converts untreated plastic waste into useful resources, mainly pyrolysis oil.
Plastcon can process all types of plastic waste from both industry and households, without the pretreatment necessary by mechanical recycling.
The shredder cuts the untreated plastic waste, including unsorted materials like organic waste and metals, into small pieces.
The plastic feedstock, now in small pieces, goes through sorting mechanisms that remove pollution like glass, sand, stone, metal and organic materials.
The plastic pieces are heated up to 200°C (392°F) and melted into a coherent mass. This decreases the volume with 60-80%.
The reactor vaporises the mass at 400-700°C (752-1292°F) in an oxygen-free environment - this is the core of our technology,
The first end product is now ready: carbon black. About 10% of the plastic waste has been turned into carbon black that can be used to colour new plastic materials.
The vapour from the reactor is sent through condensers and liquefied into crude oil. Part of the vapor stays in its gaseous form.
The second end product is now ready: gas. About 15% of the plastic waste has been turned into gas that can be used to produce power or heat.
The third end product is now ready: pyrolysis oil. About 75% of the plastic waste has been turned into pyrolysis oil. This can be used to produce new plastic materials.
Aside from the technological solution in Plastcon, we offer an array of competencies to make sure that your plant is both efficiently delivered, operated and maintained. With MAKEEN Energy's decades of experience in project management, facility management and service, you avoid the headaches of having to worry about hiring staff, doing repairs, sourcing materials and everything else associated with running a plastic waste conversion plant. What's left for you to do is focus on your core business.
Our organisation is project-oriented all the way into the heart, and we take pride in supporting our customers all the way - through every project.
We know the equipment better than anyone. So why not leave all or part of the daily operation of your facilities in our experienced hands?
All machines and all equipment experience the effects of wear and tear as time goes by. Our team of service experts keeps your Plastcon plant running smoothly.
It is no secret that plastic waste burns well, and it is also true that careless handling during plastic waste pyrolysis can lead to major safety hazards. Luckily, MAKEEN Energy is well equipped to ensure the safety of a hazardous site, its workers and its surroundings. We have delivered thousands of gas facility projects over the years, and we are deeply familiar with the requirements for designing and operating machinery in a hazardous zone.
With MAKEEN Energy’s extensive history from the liquefied petroleum gas filling industry, it would be hard to find people who know more about ensuring safety when working with hazardous, combustible gases, such as those involved in plastic waste pyrolysis. All details and risks are accounted for in our equipment design, personnel training and operations. Our technology did not just exist on paper and screens before we decided to build our first plant. It first came to life as a test plant, where we’ve run and continue to run extensive testing of all possible scenarios, variables and materials. This process allows us to “fail fast”, as the saying goes. In other words, we identify all the risks and proper procedures early, to eliminate future mistakes on a larger scale.
All parts of Plastcon are designed with the utmost safety measures – from the individual mechanical parts to the general layout of the plant. Machines are outfitted with gas and flame sensors, over-pressure valves, double security barriers, drip trays and oxygen instrumentation, ensuring that any potential leaks or hazards do not spread. Every part of the Plastcon technology has been designed by MAKEEN Energy engineers. Unlike other actors within chemical recycling, we do not buy any technology from 3rd parties. This means that all components are specifically conceived with each other in mind – there are no unpredictable elements or unknowns. Naturally, this design process also includes meticulous identification of hazards and operability (HazID and HAZOP).
Plastic makes modern life convenient, but it also clogs up the oceans, pollutes the land and destroys our nature. Plastic waste is a global and growing problem.
