US green technology company Anellotech is developing technology that can convert plastic waste directly into chemicals, adding to its Bio-TCat aromatics process.

Anellotech is now developing Plas-TCat, which it said has so far demonstrated “encouraging” results in lab studies using pure plastics.

The company said it has planned studies to ensure that the Plas-TCat process is robust and capable of running long term on a range of “real-world” waste plastics feedstocks.

“Plas-TCat has the potential to transform plastic waste such as composite films, mixed plastics and plastics with biomass – such as paper labels – directly into valuable chemicals,” said Anellotech president and CEO David Sudolsky. “It can handle oxygenated polymers, an important advantage over pyrolysis processes that produce complex oil mixtures which require upgrading and additional conversion in steam crackers.

Sudolsky added that Anellotech is “seeking engagement with knowledgeable strategic partners to provide development funding, as well as knowledge in waste plastics supply chain and mechanical handling to help accelerate this project.”

In March this year, the US company and its French joint development partners IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) and Axens announced they had successfully recovered high-purity bio-based paraxylene from renewably sources aromatics at Anellotech’s TCat-8 pilot plant in Silsbee, Texas.