Name: Gr3n
Sector: Technology for PET recycling
Plus: Patented technology that uses microwave reactors in order to recycle PET, returning it to its original monomers
Characteristics: Design and construct an industrial scale post consumption processing facility for all types of PET in order to restore the virgin elements and make them more convenient than petrochemical alternatives
The Italian company Gr3n has patented an innovative technology that enables the processing of PET bottles and food containers, and chemical recycling of plastic. The solution is compatible with all types of PET as well as synthetic and mixed textile fibres. The technology developed by Gr3n, through the total depolymerisation of plastic, breaks down polyethylene terephthalate into original monomers that can then be reused to produce plastic, with the advantage of being a less expensive method compared to petrochemical solutions.
Depolymerisation based on the use of microwaves created by a reactor on plastic, is a patented technology. The process requires only water and energy and does not use hazardous chemical substances: the result are monomers that are ready to be reintroduced into plastic production.
The technology was patented in 2011 and tested on a large scale through the Horizon 2020 project SymbiOptima (http://www.symbioptima.eu).
Today, Gr3n is a promoter and part of the consortium of the DEMETO project, acronym for DE-polymerisation by MicrowavETechnolOgy, aimed at constructing and testing an industrial scale pilot depolymerisation facility. DEMETO is an international partnership project worth 10 million euros, 8 of which are provided by the European Commission through Horizon 2020.
Gr3n’s innovation is embodied in their unique post consumption processing process for PET, which is able to return it to its composing elements (ethylene glycol, EG and terephthalic acid; Pta) without degrading the quality of the material and PET monomers.
Demeto is Project Co-Funded by the European Commission under the grant agreement nr. 768573
Symbioptima is a Project Co-Funded by the European Commission under the grant agreement nr. 690426