Moscow, October 30 (QNA) - Scientists at the Institute of Petroleum Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Siberian Branch have developed a method to convert plastic waste into fuel through a chemical process involving heating to 475 degrees Celsius.
Researcher Ulyana Frolova said the process breaks down long hydrocarbon chains at high temperatures, turning solid plastic into a liquid product.
According to the Science in Siberia bulletin, the technology makes fuel production nearly waste-free by using solid carbon residues, or coke, as a catalyst in the reactor, improving processing efficiency and gasoline yields.
The process can also produce various fuels, including hydrotreated diesel meeting winter Class 0 specifications for use in severe conditions.
Researchers said plastic's lack of sulfur also reduces atmospheric impact by preventing hydrogen sulfide formation during production. 
They added that coke could serve both as a catalyst and an adsorbent, helping address plastic waste while creating a valuable resource. (QNA)