Production of hydrogen and methanol from mixed plastic waste: Potential for the European Union
Authors: Zsiborács Henrik , Pintér Gábor , Baranyai Nóra Hegedűsné , Vincze András 
Published: June 2024

The phenomenon of plastic waste accumulating in the environment and overloading the waste management systems has had greatly affected European waste management too, triggering European Union member states to make extensive efforts to solve the problem. Part of this may be transforming mixed plastic waste into energy. The synthesis gas (syngas) produced can be used to make hydrogen and methanol, which are not only clean fuels but also have versatile industrial applications. This study focuses on the amount of hydrogen and methanol that can potentially be produced from mixed plastic waste. The innovative significance of the research is that it is the first work to analyze in detail the amount of hydrogen and methanol that could be produced from unrecycled plastic waste in the EU and its member states, using the latest data and considering the latest research and technological developments. The novel, practical benefit expected is that the results could help the EU diversify its energy sources and increase the efficiency of waste management, thereby contributing to environmental protection and promoting sustainable development. Also, the analyses and the data obtained can provide useful information for EU policymakers and industry professionals to develop more effective strategies and policy approaches.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

Plastic, the third largest source of waste in the world, poses one of today’s most serious health and environmental challenges. It accumulates in the environment and overloads waste management systems.

Mixed plastic waste has an energy value, which can be transformed into energy. This conversion can be based on the thermochemical processes of combustion, pyrolysis or gasification.

The synthesis gas produced by gasification can be used to produce hydrogen and methanol, which could contribute to reducing emissions from conventional fossil fuels and solving the plastic waste problem.

Based on the findings of the present study, the aggregate potential of the EU for hydrogen and methanol production from unrecycled plastic waste is 2.8 million tonnes and 14.4 million tonnes, respectively.

For a better utilization of the potentials determined in the present work it is necessary to conduct further analyses from an economic point of view and to interpret the results in an economic context.

Discussion

How can the increasing global concern caused by unrecycled plastic waste, posing one of today’s most serious health and environmental challenges, be tackled?

How can unrecycled plastic waste be converted in a way that contributes to both global efforts to mitigating the problem of global CO2 emissions by offering fuel alternatives, and managing accumulating plastic waste?

What determines the potential of producing hydrogen and methanol from unrecycled plastic waste by the process of gasification, in a given country?

How great is the potential of producing hydrogen and methanol from unrecycled plastic waste by the process of gasification in the European Union and its member states, and what could be achieved by the utilization of this potential?