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Mura Technology to partner with Plastic Oceans UK on circular plastic initiative

In the United Kingdom (UK), Mura Technology has announced a partnership with Plastic Oceans UK, that aligns strategy and ethos towards establishing a circular plastics economy. The partnership between Mura Technology, ReNew ELP, Armstrong Capital Management, and Plastic Oceans UK allows for the sharing of research, findings and technology in the bid to create a plastic neutral society. The aim is to reprocess all end-of-life plastics (ELP) into new, high value and stable hydrocarbon products.

Mura Technology Ltd aims to apply Licella’s proprietary Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor (Cat-HTR) platform worldwide outside of Australia and New Zealand. The process uses supercritical water to convert end-of-life-plastics (ELP) back into hydrocarbon feedstocks for further use in the petrochemical industry (photo courtesy Mura Technology).

Plastic Oceans UK, a registered charity, works with businesses, scientists and policymakers to highlight the effect of plastic pollution on oceans and wildlife. Their award-winning Netflix documentary “A Plastic Ocean” was recognised as “one of the most important films of our time” by Sir David Attenborough.

Having encountered plastic waste in the ocean and on the shorelines of the remotest part of our planet whilst filming for the first BBC Blue Planet series and in subsequent underwater wildlife documentaries, I felt it was time our audiences knew the truth behind those perfect images in our films. During filming for A Plastic Ocean, I witnessed the plastic problem the centres of three oceans and on the most remote islands including Tuvalu in the Pacific.  Being there with families who were drowning in plastic waste really made me think about the rest of the world – if Tuvalu was to represent the entire landmass of our planet, might this be a snap-shot of the future for all of us if we don’t stop our ‘addiction’ to single-use plastic? commented Jo Ruxton, Founder of Plastic Oceans.

According to a statement, the organisation recognizes and endorses Mura Technolgy’s “Cat-HTR” conversion technology and its potential to help stop all waste plastic reaching the ocean within a decade, the founding vision of Plastic Oceans UK.

Key technology

A joint venture between Australia-headed Licella Holdings Ltd and UK-based Armstrong Energy Ltd, Mura Technology Ltd (Mura) aims to apply Licella’s proprietary Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor (Cat-HTR) platform worldwide outside of Australia and New Zealand.

The process uses supercritical water to convert end of life plastic (ELP) back into hydrocarbon feedstocks (chemicals and waxes) for further use in the petrochemical industry – in essence, turning plastic back into the ingredients from which it was made for the recreation of new hydrocarbon products.

According to Plastic Oceans, the Cat-HTR chemical recycling technology “holds the key” to infinitely recycling end-of-life plastics. With over 8 million tonnes of waste plastic reaching the ocean each year, the effects of it on water quality, natural environments and wildlife is evident.

Plastic production volume increases year on year, with approximately 350 million tonnes made annually thus a huge shift in the approach to plastic recycling and environmental safeguarding is needed.

First commercial-scale plant

Mura is working with ReNew ELP to develop the first commercial-scale Cat-HTR plant in the world, at ReNew ELP’s site in Teesside, North East UK. This site will see up to 80 000 tonnes of end-of-life plastics (ELP) processed through their reactors annually.

We are delighted to be supporting Mura and ReNew ELP – their technology deals with plastic waste effectively and without harm to the environment. It is just what we all need to clean up the waste that is already there, impacting on our rivers and coasts and ultimately affecting our health. Being able to clean up and prevent harm sustainably is so important to us and we want the Cat-HTR technology to be available globally to recycle plastic back into beneficial use – and not cause pollution for decades to come, said Jo Ruxton.

Mura also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Timor-Leste. Successful implementation of the technology would make Timor-Leste the first world’s first plastic neutral territory while producing revenues to fund environmental and social impact through a not-for-profit company.

Our partnership with and endorsement by Plastic Oceans UK ensures a long-term relationship and scientific link between those looking to protect the natural world from the effects of waste plastic, and those that hold the technology to prevent plastic pollution. Whilst our goal is to deliver a business solution to the recycling of waste plastics, we also hold a core principle that we want to produce a positive social and environmental impact where we operate.  Our partnership with Plastic Oceans UK is an important part of our business ethos to assist us in measuring our impacts, said Steve Mahon, Director, Mura Technology.

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