Pyrowave, a pioneer in catalytic microwave depolymerization of plastics, has received a $50,000 grant from the Foam Recycling Coalition to purchase equipment to allow for in-house processing of recycled polystyrene.
The Montreal, Quebec, company commercializes microwave-based equipment modules to perform fast depolymerization of mixed plastics and is focusing initially on post-consumer polystyrene. According to Pyrowave, the machines can depolymerize post-consumer polystyrene materials into a styrene oil with up to 95 percent yield, which is shipped to buyers.
Pyrowave can process approximately one to three tons per day of post-consumer polystyrene material, which includes foodservice packaging items like cups and take-out containers. The company’s current capacity is estimated at 800 tons per year, providing another end market for recycled polystyrene. While currently only operating in Montreal, Pyrowave plans to install additional systems in other parts of North America.
The grant was made possible through contributions to FPI’s Foam Recycling Coalition, which focuses exclusively on increased recycling of post-consumer foam polystyrene. The coalition launched the grant program in 2015 to help fund infrastructure to collect and process these products.
Published in the March 2018 Edition