Waste plastic pyrolysis refers to the process of chemically decomposing plastic waste through heating under oxygen-free or oxygen-deficient conditions, converting it into high-value-added products such as pyrolysis oil, combustible gas, and solid residues. This fundamentally differs from oxygen-based combustion treatments. Pyrolysis technology can process mixed, low-value, and contaminated plastic waste, effectively reducing “white pollution” while achieving carbon emission reduction.
Plastic pyrolysis oil, one of the primary products derived from this technology, is garnering increasing attention for its applications and value. In addition to pyrolysis oil, the process yields by-products such as combustible gas and solid carbon residues. Companies like Niutech have made significant strides in both technological advancement and industrial application.
Pyrolysis Products and Their Primary Applications:
– Pyrolysis Oil: A liquid product resembling crude oil with a high calorific value (40-45 MJ/kg). It can be used as fuel (direct combustion or refined into diesel/gasoline) or as a chemical feedstock to produce new plastics or high-value fine chemicals. For example, in Niutech’s Denmark project, pyrolysis oil is processed into naphtha for manufacturing new plastic products. The emergence of waste plastic pyrolysis oil reduces reliance on petroleum-based energy, minimizes fossil fuel extraction, and reshapes the chemical industry chain.
– Combustible Gas: A gaseous by-product that can power the pyrolysis process itself or be collected for hydrogen production or natural gas applications.
– Solid Residue (Carbon Black): A solid product used as an industrial raw material, construction material, or direct fuel source.
The high-value applications of waste plastic pyrolysis products have achieved large-scale industrialization in multiple countries. Chinese company Niutech leads in waste plastic pyrolysis technology and equipment, with its developed plastic-to-oil systems (large-scale industrial continuous pyrolysis production lines) enabling commercial deployment across numerous countries.
Niutech has overcome challenges related to continuous and stable industrial operation through proprietary technologies such as “thermal dispersion, gas-tight sealing, and anti-polymerization,” addressing industry pain points like system coking and dynamic sealing during feeding/discharge. This ensures long-term, stable operation, making plastic recycling more valuable and meaningful. Niutech’s equipment has been exported to countries including Norway, Denmark, and South Korea, supporting major pyrolysis projects. For instance, Hyundai Group’s waste plastic pyrolysis projects in Southeast Asia utilize Niutech’s technology, with the produced pyrolysis oil used for chemical recycling in their own plants. In August 2025, Niutech announced a contract worth nearly RMB 200 million with a UK client to supply a 60,000-ton/year industrial continuous waste plastic pyrolysis production line.
Niutech’s technology has cumulatively reduced carbon emissions by over 25 million tons. Its equipment holds seven international certifications, including EU CE, German TÜV, ATEX, and ISCC, establishing Niutech as a globally recognized Chinese technology brand.
Looking ahead, pyrolysis technology will play a pivotal role in addressing the “waste plastic” pollution crisis by converting the world’s most voluminous solid waste into high-value resources and energy, contributing significantly to global “white pollution” management and carbon neutrality goals.