Energy company Quantafuel and resource management firm Geminor have entered a co-operation agreement to secure deliveries of plastic waste to Quantafuel's plants for low-emission fuel production.

​

Since 2007 Quantafuel has developed and tested its own patented catalyst solution that converts plastic waste into low-emission fuels and products for the petrochemical industry. The Norwegian company has previously opened a test production facility in Mexico, and in the third quarter of 2019 the first Scandinavian plant – located in Skive in Denmark ¬– will be ready for production of diesel. 

 

The new co-operation sees fellow Norwegian firm Geminor as a main supplier ensuring that the optimal volume and quality of plastic waste is delivered to Quantafuel’s plants. 

 

Plastic becomes fuel

 

Plastics are well suited for the production of fuel and products for the petrochemical industry, as Chief Commercial Officer in Quantafuel, Thomas Steenbuch Tharaldsen, explains: “We have developed a technology in which we produce chemicals from plastic – chemicals which in turn can be used to make new plastics. This could transform the entire industry and lead to a new focus for the waste management industry,” he tells us.

 

“Every year, Europe has to get rid of millions of tonnes of plastic waste, so the access to plastic is enormous. Our challenge is to provide a steady supply of high-quality, non-recyclable plastic waste, so that the production volume is satisfactory and the end product is of good quality,” stressed Mr Tharaldsen. “It is important for us to have international access to good plastic material, and in this respect Geminor becomes an important partner.”

 

Converting 20,000t plastic-waste into fuel every year

 

The production plant in Skive, which will be the first of several plants in Europe, will convert up to 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste into chemical products annually. According to plan, capacity over the next few years will be increased to around 60,000 tonnes.

 

Central Operating Officer at Geminor, Ralf Schopwinkel, is looking forward to commencing the partnership with Quantafuel, whose fuel production he called “groundbreaking” and certainly an industry that his firm was keen to become a part of. “It will be our job to make the waste treatment companies around Europe understand the requirements of Quantafuel regarding the quality and handling of plastic waste,” he advised. “We look forward to contributing to the development of sustainable recycling of plastic waste.”