Our measures to combat greenwashing
Companies in the circular economy are often hit with the accusation of greenwashing . Our measure to combat this: transparency. We are a technology provider and not greener than any other company. Our business model is based on the sustainable recycling of waste materials. This is obviously good for the environment but also for our business.
Emergence of the modern-day circular economy brought with it the introduction of a new term - «green technology». It incorporates technologies that mitigate or even reverse the damage and pollution caused by humans. And it is in this field that we operate with our solutions. We are not an environmental protection organisation. We are a technology provider and develop system solutions that:
- utilise pyrolysis to turn mixed plastic waste back into a crude oil
- utilise pyrolysis to turn used tyres back into their original materials
- utilise condensation to turn waste oil back into a crude oil
We believe that all plastics should be recycled at the end of their useful life, thereby aligning with the fundamental principles of a circular economy.
Key figures, verification, evidence
The greenhouse gas balance of chemical recycling with enespa's pyrolysis technology is more favourable from a climate protection perspective than incineration at thermal waste treatment plants. The co-incineration of plastic waste in cement plants is the most advantageous overall from a climate protection perspective. However, this only applies when coal, as the standard fuel, is replaced with plastic waste. Burning coal releases more CO2 than plastic.
Given the decision to phase out coal, it is currently seen as a temporary aspect. Cement plants are regulated by the Emissions Trading Act, which only considers direct greenhouse gas emissions from combustion. As a result, cement plant operators will aim to minimise their use of fossil fuels in the future, including both coal and plastic waste. Moreover, this recycling option is limited to specific quantities and types of plastic waste.
Energy costs must be kept to a minimum to ensure that our system customers achieve a fast return on their investment. This is something we take care of. Our WastX P5 (plastic-to-oil) pyrolysis system , with a throughput of 5 tonnes/day, has an energy demand of approximately 440 kWh for the pre-treatment process and around 260 kWh for the subsequent pyrolysis phase. This produces around 4.5 tonnes of pyrolysis oil each day. We provide guidance to our system customers on the use of renewable energy sources during the project planning phase. The overall goal is to achieve both economic and sustainable energy efficiency.
The actual conversion rate is crucial for our system customers, as higher output leads to increased sales revenue. However, the output quantity is directly related to the input quality. Depending on the composition of the raw material, specifically of the plastic waste, our plastic-to-oil pyrolysis system achieves a conversion rate of up to 89%. This means that one tonne of mixed plastic waste is converted into nearly 900 kilograms of pyrolysis oil. This is why we are continuously exploring new possibilities at our Research laboratory in Tangstedt. In doing so, we take into account the specific requirements of each customer. By closely analysing their input material, we identify optimisation potential and provide recommendations for the system settings.
A joint research project with ZHAW Professor Joachim Vogt on the economic, environmental and social impact of plastic-to-oil recycling has been recognised by Innosuisse . During the course of the project, Joachim Vogt and his team developed ten key performance indicators (KPIs) across the entire value chain, with a focus on ESG criteria. Each indicator is assigned a performance index, a rating scheme, to ensure standardised measurability. This is used to calculate the index score, which allows a project to be assessed.
The study now serves as a tool for advising our clients. It allows us to demonstrate, on a project-specific basis and using the resulting metrics, how customers can benefit from plastic-to-oil recycling and how this can positively impact their ESG rating. The results of the study also show us where there is potential to improve the sustainability of projects, so that we can take the initiative.
Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg
Our pyrolysis technology for mixed plastic waste was part of a study carried out by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research in Heidelberg on the subject of «Comparison of greenhouse gas balance: chemical recycling and incineration». After completion of the study in July 2023, it was obvious:
The greenhouse gas balance of chemical recycling with enespa's pyrolysis technology is more favourable from a climate protection perspective than incineration at thermal waste treatment plants. The co-incineration of plastic waste in cement plants is the most advantageous overall from a climate protection perspective. However, this only applies when coal, as the standard fuel, is replaced with plastic waste. Burning coal releases more CO2 freigesetzt. Mit dem beschlossenen Kohleausstieg ist dieser Aspekt als zeitlich befristet anzusehen. Zementwerke unterliegen dem Emissions Trading Act, which only considers direct greenhouse gas emissions from combustion. As a result, cement plant operators will aim to minimise their use of fossil fuels in the future, including both coal and plastic waste. Moreover, this recycling option is limited to specific quantities and types of plastic waste.
Handling residual pyrolysis gases after condensation
The vapours and gases generated during pyrolysis are condensed in a condensation stage and liquefied into pyrolysis oil. However, pyrolysis gases ( VOCs) remain, as they cannot be condensed. They are fully thermally oxidised in a flare system, where the VOCs are converted during the combustion reaction and neutralised. Activated carbon filters and gas scrubbers can be used for further gas purification. The required purification is highly dependent on the raw material composition and is, therefore, tailored to each specific project. Generally speaking, our systems are designed to ensure that emissions comply with the legal requirements of the Federal Immission Control Act Ordinances (BImSchVs) .
Energy demand of our recycling systems
Energy costs must be kept to a minimum to ensure that our system customers achieve a fast return on their investment. This is something we take care of. Our WastX P5 (plastic-to-oil) pyrolysis system , with a throughput of 5 tonnes/day, has an energy demand of approximately 440 kW for the pre-treatment process and around 260 kW for the subsequent pyrolysis phase. This produces around 4.5 tonnes of pyrolysis oil each day. We provide guidance to our system customers on the use of renewable energy sources during the project planning phase. The overall goal is to achieve both economic and sustainable energy efficiency.
Research for a maximum conversion rate
The actual conversion rate is crucial for our system customers, as higher output leads to increased sales revenue. However, the output quantity is directly related to the input quality. Depending on the composition of the raw material, specifically of the plastic waste, our plastic-to-oil pyrolysis system achieves a conversion rate of up to 89%. This means that one tonne of mixed plastic waste is converted into nearly 900 kilograms of pyrolysis oil. This is why we are continuously exploring new possibilities at our Research laboratory in Tangstedt. In doing so, we take into account the specific requirements of each customer. By closely analysing their input material, we identify optimisation potential and provide recommendations for the system settings.
Why the transformation?
In 2021, 5.67 million tonnes of plastic waste were generated in Germany. Two thirds of this waste was used for energy generation in waste incineration plants or as a substitute for fossil fuels in cement plants and power stations.
In Switzerland, more than 80% of the approximately 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated annually is sent to waste incineration plants. The processed raw materials, including crude oil and natural gas, disappear forever but leave behind pollutants. The extraction and processing of these materials also consumed significant amounts of energy and resulted in environmentally harmful emissions.
However, only about 5% of all the crude oil produced is used for the production of plastics. Ultimately, the thermal utilisation of plastic is a minor issue, as long as fossil fuels are still being used. While some might think: «So what?» We think ahead.
Independence from fossil resources
We live in an age that is striving to become independent of fossil fuels. The combustion of crude oil and natural gas is set to be reduced significantly. We need to provide energy in a sustainable manner. The Paris Climate Agreement aims to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of this century. While studies on the life cycle assessment of plastic recycling may vary, they all agree on one key point: Even imperfect recycling is more ecologically beneficial than simply incinerating everything.
Global plastic pollution
A far greater issue is the global pollution caused by plastic waste, which will persist for centuries to come, affecting everything from the seabed to the mountain tops. Besides impacting flora and fauna, it also threatens humans, as plastic returns to us in the form of microplastics, contaminating both our food and water. According to OECD estimates, the world generated 353 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019 and around 78 million tonnes of that ended up in the environment.
Prerequisites
Our system customers require an efficient waste management system. Without it, they lack suitable raw materials. A well-organised collection system is the cornerstone of an efficient circular economy. Collections of pre-sorted plastics lead to a higher recycling rate. Mixed loads of plastic waste must be separated in sorting plants.
Remaining realistic
Banning plastic altogether is neither realistic nor wise in the coming decades. When used properly, plastic offers many advantages over materials like paper, glass or aluminium. Packaging contributes only minimally to the ecological footprint of food, in particular. This underlines the importance of properly managing plastic waste within the framework of a circular economy.
- We want to champion the circular economy for plastic waste, waste oils and used tyres.
- Our technology aims to inspire you to view plastic waste as a valuable resource. This resource should not end up in an incinerator or landfill.
- We are working with you to transition from a throwaway society to a net-zero-emissions, ecologically sustainable and pollutant-free circular economy.
- We firmly believe that this can only be achieved through a combination of prevention, reuse and recycling.
- We believe that every plastic produced should be returned to the cycle. It is something that will keep us busy for decades to come.
Not everything labelled as a circular economy is full of greenwashing
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The road to a circular economy for plastics is a long one. However, we are not travelling this path alone, but together with you. Celebrate with us when we come one step closer to our goal.
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The road to a circular economy for plastics is a long one. However, we are not travelling this path alone, but together with you. Celebrate with us when we come one step closer to our goal.