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THE NEXT GENERATION OF ADVANCED PLASTIC RECYCLING

HYDRO-PRT

An internationally recognised, protected and validated hydrothermal advanced recycling process.

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HYDRO-PRT

HYDROTHERMAL PLASTIC RECYCLING TECHNOLOGY

Pioneered by Mura Technology, Hydro-PRT is the next generation of advanced plastic recycling due to its use of supercritical water (water under elevated pressure and temperature), which distinguishes it from alternative advanced recycling processes, such as pyrolysis, and ensures the efficient and scalable conversion of plastic waste to hydrocarbons.

Hydro-PRT produces high quality chemicals and oils with sector-leading sustainability attributes, creating a low carbon and circular model for a range of stakeholders working with polymers.

THE HYDRO-PRT PROCESS

Watch how Mura converts post-use, flexible and rigid mixed waste streams into fossil-replacement hydrocarbons, for use in the manufacture of new plastics:

HYDRO-PRT PROCESS STEPS

1

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Waste Plastic Preparation

The process begins by preparing the plastic. The feedstock is shredded and contaminants such as glass, stones, metals and non-target plastics are removed

2

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Melt + Pressurisation

The shredded plastic mix is then melted and pressurised via an extruder

3

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Supercritical Water

The supercritical water is mixed with the plastic

4

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Heat

The mix is further heated

5

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Hydro-PRT Reactor

In the reactor, the plastics are broken down into liquid hydrocarbons and gas. This conversion takes as little as 30 minutes

6

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Depressurise

Following conversion, pressure is released. Energy recovered in this process is used in the next stage - product separation

7

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Product Separation

Products are separated into individual fractions for storage and onward sale to customers

8

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Product Upgrading (Process Bolt-On)

Mura and Engineering Partner KBR are currently developing upgrading integration into the existing Hydro-PRT design

9

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Product Storage

The products are stored before shipping to petrochemical customers, for use in the manufacture of new plastics and other products.

1

Waste Plastic Preparation

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The process begins by preparing the plastic. The feedstock is shredded and contaminants such as glass, stones, metals and non-target plastics are removed

2

Melt + Pressurisation

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The shredded plastic mix is then melted and pressurised via an extruder

3

Supercritical Water

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The supercritical water is mixed with the plastic

4

Heat

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The mix is further heated

5

Hydro-PRT Reactor

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In the reactor, the plastics are broken down into liquid hydrocarbons and gas. This conversion takes as little as 30 minutes

6

Depressurise

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Following conversion, pressure is released. Energy recovered in this process is used in the next stage - product separation

7

Product Separation

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Products are separated into individual fractions for storage and onward sale to customers

8

Product Upgrading (Process Bolt-On)

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Mura and Engineering Partner KBR are currently developing upgrading integration into the existing Hydro-PRT design

9

Product Storage

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The products are stored before shipping to petrochemical customers, for use in the manufacture of new plastics and other products.

KEY ADVANTAGES OF HYDRO-PRT

Hydro-PRT, a hydrothermal process, differs from traditional pyrolysis due to its use of supercritical water, which 'cracks' the carbon bonds in plastic, providing significant benefits.

1 SCALABILITY

Direct contact between plastic and supercritical water leads to highly efficient heat transfer, making modular scale-up a simple process. Mura developing both 20kt and 50kt reactors, which can be deployed as multiples.

2 PLASTIC SCOPE

Hydro-PRT creates a broader scope for recyclable plastics, able to process post-use, multi-layered and mixed plastics, such as flexible and rigid food packaging. Hydro-PRT is complementary to traditional mechanical recycling.

3 HIGH YIELDS

Due to its use of water, Hydro-PRT does not produce char or unwanted by-products, creating high yields of valuable hydrocarbon feedstocks for use in the manufacture of virgin-quality, recycled plastics – with no need to pre-dry feedstock

4 ENDLESS REYCLING

There is no limit to the number of times the same material can be recycled – meaning Hydro-PRT has the potential to significantly reduce the need for fossil resources in plastic production and permanently increase material circularity in the plastics industry.

1 2 3 4

SCALABILITY

Direct contact between plastic and supercritical water leads to highly efficient heat transfer, making modular scale-up a simple process. Mura developing both 20kt and 50kt reactors, which can be deployed as multiples.

PLASTIC SCOPE

Hydro-PRT creates a broader scope for recyclable plastics, able to process post-use, multi-layered and mixed plastics, such as flexible and rigid food packaging. Hydro-PRT is complementary to traditional mechanical recycling.

HIGH YIELDS

Due to its use of water, Hydro-PRT does not produce char or unwanted by-products, creating high yields of valuable hydrocarbon feedstocks for use in the manufacture of virgin-quality, recycled plastics – with no need to pre-dry feedstock

ENDLESS REYCLING

There is no limit to the number of times the same material can be recycled – meaning Hydro-PRT has the potential to significantly reduce the need for fossil resources in plastic production and permanently increase material circularity in the plastics industry.

A WIDER SCOPE FOR RECYCLING

Mura’s Target feedstock includes the flexible, multi-layered materials that cannot be processed via traditional mechanical means, such as flexible films and multi-layered plastics, that would otherwise be sent to incineration or landfill.

Target feedstocks for Hydro-PRT are polyolefins, including LDPE, HDPE and PP, alongside other plastic types 1 – 7 (PET, PS, ABS and polyamides). Feedstocks can be sourced from end-of-life, post-consumer plastics, MRF and agricultural residual material.

Hydro-PRT processes post-use, mixed plastic streams without segregation, complementing existing mechanical recycling processes.

A WIDER SCOPE FOR RECYCLING TARGET FEEDSTOCK

Mura’s Target feedstock includes the flexible, multi-layered materials that cannot be processed via traditional mechanical means, such as flexible films and multi-layered plastics, that would otherwise be sent to incineration or landfill.

A WIDER SCOPE FOR RECYCLING TYPE & SOURCE

Target feedstocks for Hydro-PRT are polyolefins, including LDPE, HDPE and PP, alongside other plastic types 1 – 7 (PET, PS, ABS and polyamides). Feedstocks can be sourced from end-of-life, post-consumer plastics, MRF and agricultural residual material.

A WIDER SCOPE FOR RECYCLING ADVANTAGES

Hydro-PRT processes post-use, mixed plastic streams without segregation, complementing existing mechanical recycling processes.

FOSSIL-REPLACEMENT HYDROCARBONS

OFFTAKE PRODUCTS

Hydro-PRT outputs a range of valuable, liquid hydrocarbon products – each can be tailored to meet market requirements and conditions. These products will be sold on long-term contracts.

1 Naphtha

For use in the manufacture of new plastics

2 Distillate Gas Oil

For use in the manufacture of new plastics

3 Heavy Gas Oil

A feedstock for refinery processes to make chemicals, oils, speciality plastics and wax

4 Heavy Wax Residue

For use in the production of bitumen or asphalt for the construction of roads

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Naphtha

For use in the manufacture of new plastics

Distillate Gas Oil

For use in the manufacture of new plastics

Heavy Gas Oil

A feedstock for refinery processes to make chemicals, oils, speciality plastics and wax

Heavy Wax Residue

For use in the production of bitumen or asphalt for the construction of roads

MURA IN THE PLASTIC VALUE CHAIN

Resin Producers

Use of Mura’s circular feedstock will replace fossil resource, helping to transition to a circular economy.

Feedstock will be available on long-term contracts to petrochemical industry partners.

Plastic Manufacturers & Consumer Brands

Mura offers access to recycled resin via petrochemical partners for use in plastic packaging, reducing need for costly packaging redesigns.

Hydro-PRT is a pathway to net zero and a strong message of action to consumers.

Waste Management, Mechanical Recycling & EfW

Hydro-PRT is a cost-competitive alternative to incinerating waste plastic, reducing CO2 emissions and offering a route to reducing export of plastic waste.

Global recycling partners will supply Mura with high plastic content feedstock.

Hydrothermal Plastic Recycling Technology

The Hydro-PRT process will serve as the enabler for a truly circular economy, providing a commercially viable alternative to incineration and landfill for end-of-life plastics.

Global roll-out will result in significant amounts of advanced recycling capacity across the world.

Product Upgrading

Mura and KBR are aiming to provide product upgrading for maximum conversion efficiency of HydroP-PRT feedstock.

Upgrading will, in future, be offered as a standard bolt-on option to the core process, to facilitate integration into existing refineries.