Hydrogen with 90% Purity Generated from Mixed Plastic Waste Without Sorting

According to НВ — Техно: Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, and institutions in South Korea have developed an innovative alkaline thermal treatment (ATT) method. This process converts unsorted mixed plastic waste-including PET, PE, and PP-directly into hydrogen fuel, eliminating the need for prior sorting. Operating at temperatures 300–400°C lower than conventional techniques, the ATT process achieves high efficiency.

The method uses sodium hydroxide and heating to transform plastics into hydrogen, with the resulting gas exceeding 90% purity. A key advantage is that about 75% of the carbon remains in solid form rather than being released as CO₂, potentially reducing environmental impact. Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, and this technology could offer a sustainable solution by turning waste into clean energy without sorting.

Before treatment, polyethylene and polypropylene undergo additional heating and oxidation to improve the final output. So far, ATT has only been tested on small laboratory samples, but the researchers plan to scale the process for industrial applications.

This study was reported by Science Alert.

The scientists hope the new technology will help address plastic waste challenges and advance clean energy production. The news was published on July 30.

Developing this method could significantly impact the global plastic waste problem by reducing landfill volumes while generating clean energy. Scaling up to industrial levels might open new possibilities for energy infrastructure, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting a transition to more sustainable energy sources.

In addition to innovative hydrogen production methods, advancements in plastic degradation are also making headlines. Ukrainian researchers have recently developed a self-decomposing plastic that breaks down in just six days, highlighting the global effort to combat plastic waste. These breakthroughs could complement each other in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices.