Transforming Plastic Waste into Resources: Alterra's Milestone in Australia
Alterra, renowned for its innovative approaches to plastic recycling, is excited to announce a significant advancement in sustainable practices with the recent deployment of its advanced pyrolysis oil technology in Australia. This milestone was achieved at Viva Energy's Geelong Refinery, where a trial successfully processed 9.5 tons of plastic pyrolysis oil (PPO) derived from end-of-life plastics. This initiative not only emphasizes the viability of integrating advanced recycled products into existing refining systems but also illustrates Alterra's commitment to fostering a circular economy for plastic waste.
The trial, conducted this week, showcased the compatibility of Alterra's high-quality PPO with the Geelong Refinery's infrastructure, thus paving the way for large-scale plastic recycling solutions in Australia. Valerio Coppini, Alterra's Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating, 'Our technology seamlessly integrates with traditional refining systems to yield high-purity outputs from complex plastic waste streams.' He noted that partnering with Viva Energy is a crucial step towards validating the processing of soft plastics pyrolysis oil, reinforcing the aim to establish sustainable plastic recycling practices in Australia.
Alterra's patented process uniquely transforms post-consumer plastics back into their fundamental chemical building blocks. This innovative method creates a sustainable feedstock crucial for manufacturing new plastics and chemicals. The PPO utilized in the current trial represents the type of material that will be produced at scale in the forthcoming recycling facility, ensuring a steady supply of quality inputs for ongoing production.
Bill Patterson, Executive General Manager of Refining at Viva Energy, expressed enthusiasm for the project and its implications for the refinery's future: 'For decades, the Geelong Refinery has been instrumental in producing fuels and essential products for daily life in Australia. This initiative not only demonstrates our commitment to the energy transition but also highlights the role our facility can play in establishing a circular economy and addressing the ongoing issue of discarded plastics in the country.'
In addition to tackling the plastic waste crisis, this collaboration is crucial for fostering sustainable practices within the energy sector, emphasizing that the transition to a circular economy is not merely about waste diversion but about fundamentally reimagining the plastic lifecycle itself.
As the Geelong Refinery sets the stage for future sustainable practices, it is clear that this partnership with Alterra will be pivotal in redefining the landscape of plastic recycling in Australia. This aligns perfectly with Alterra's mission to solve plastic pollution through its continuously renewable technologies, as they strive to create a world where plastic waste is valued as a resource, not a liability.
With plans for a permanent soft plastics recycling facility on the horizon, Viva Energy and Alterra demonstrate a dynamic response to the country's pressing recycling challenges. Together, they are forging a path towards a sustainable future, where plastics are not only recycled but also reintegrated into new products, effectively closing the loop on plastic waste.
For more information about Alterra's technologies or the Geelong Refinery initiative, visit
Alterra's website or
Viva Energy's site.