MUMBAI (India CSR): In a major breakthrough for sustainable waste management, PolyCycl, a circular economy technology startup based in Chandigarh, has launched its patented ContiFlow Cracker™ Generation VI chemical recycling technology. Developed over a decade of dedicated research and innovation, this revolutionary process converts hard-to-recycle plastics, including single-use grocery bags and food-contaminated packaging, into high-quality, food-grade polymers, sustainable fuels, and low-carbon materials.
This fully indigenous innovation provides a much-needed solution to India’s plastic waste challenge while supporting the country’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets and advancing the plastic-to-plastic circular economy globally.
Bridging the Recycling Gap with Cutting-Edge Technology
India generates over 10.2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with nearly 40% consisting of single-use plastics that often end up in landfills, clogging drainage systems, or polluting rivers and oceans. Traditional mechanical recycling methods are inefficient in handling mixed or contaminated plastics, leading to widespread plastic pollution.
PolyCycl’s Generation VI technology is designed to solve this challenge through a patented thermo-chemical pyrolysis process that breaks down plastics into their molecular building blocks. This enables the continuous conversion of waste plastics into valuable hydrocarbon feedstocks, which can be further purified and repurposed into new, virgin-quality plastic materials—without compromising quality.
Key Features of PolyCycl’s Generation VI Recycling Technology
- Patented ContiFlow Cracker™: A fully continuous pyrolysis process that efficiently converts waste plastics into hydrocarbon oils.
- PyOilClean™ Refining Technology: Removes contaminants such as halogens and heteroatoms, ensuring high-purity recycled materials suitable for food-contact packaging and pharmaceutical applications.
- High Conversion Efficiency: Delivers 65-75% yield, maximizing resource recovery while minimizing waste.
- Modular & Cost-Effective Design: Scalable units can process between 15-100 tons per day (TPD), making it accessible to businesses of various sizes.
- Low Capital Investment: Costs up to one-half to one-fourth of competitive technologies from Europe and the US while ensuring project EBITDAs exceeding 50%.
Supporting India’s Circular Economy and EPR Targets
With India’s EPR rules mandating 10% recycled content in flexible packaging and 30% in rigid packaging by 2025-26, PolyCycl’s advanced recycling solutions enable industries to meet compliance standards while promoting sustainability. The recycled polymers produced through this technology are suitable for FMCG, pharmaceutical, and packaging industries, addressing the growing demand for high-quality recycled plastics.
Speaking on the launch, Amit Tandon, Founder & CEO, PolyCycl, emphasized the need for innovative recycling solutions:
“The plastic waste crisis requires multiple solutions—better product design, stronger EPR policies, and innovative recycling technologies. Our Generation VI technology closes the loop by transforming the most challenging plastic waste into valuable, high-quality materials. We are proud to pioneer this solution and drive India toward a more sustainable and circular plastic economy.”
A Sustainable Future with Chemical Recycling
India’s plastic waste problem is complex, requiring collaborative efforts across industries, policymakers, and waste management ecosystems. PolyCycl’s chemical recycling innovation is a crucial step toward reducing plastic pollution, advancing the circular economy, and ensuring a sustainable future.
With companies globally seeking low-carbon, high-quality recycled materials, PolyCycl’s Generation VI technology is set to redefine the landscape of plastic recycling—making India a leader in sustainable waste management solutions.
(India CSR)