Green news: Project to transform UK's organic waste into commercial goods gets extra £700k funding; Freepoint delivers pyrolysis oil to Shell US

An Aston University project which transforms material such as factory waste into heat, power and other commercially valuable bioproducts is to be extended for another year and receive an extra £700,000 of government support.

The Biochar CleanTech Accelerator is part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator programme which was established in 2022 and managed by the West Midlands Combined Authority. The programme is led by Innovate UK and operates on behalf of UK Research and Innovation.

The University uses heat technology, called pyrolysis, to produce oils, gases and other low carbon product materials from residue such as sawdust and agricultural waste, contributing to a regional target of export contracts worth over £200 million. Being part of the West Midlands accelerator has allowed complex technical research by the University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute to be applied with UK companies to create new products and business opportunities in growing markets.

The additional funding will help the University to further develop its research. It is part of a new national £30 million of extension of the Innovation Accelerator programme which focuses on locally led innovation to drive economic growth and advance technology across the West Midlands, Glasgow City Region and Greater Manchester.

Tim Miller project lead of the Biochar CleanTech Accelerator said: “Last year we heard the project was being extended and now we are delighted to find out this month we will receive £700,000 in new funding. The Biochar Accelerator helps us collaborate with UK business to use knowledge, facilities and research to win contracts that benefit the region both economically and environmentally “.

He added that last year, researchers used biochar, a sustainable form of charcoal, to make office items for Birmingham law firm, Mills & Reeve. They were able to kit out their new city centre building with durable plant and pen pots made from material produced at our pyrolysis demonstrator. The next step is to explore use in the aircraft, car and construction industries.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The latest Innovation Accelerator funding means we’ve now invested £2.5 million in the pioneering Biochar CleanTech Accelerator. It’s helping businesses take sustainable, low carbon solutions to the world. They are turning waste products like, sawdust and agricultural by-products into clean energy and better soil for food production.

Led by Innovate UK on behalf of UK Research and Innovation, the pilot Innovation Accelerators programme invested £100 million in 26 transformative R&D projects between 2022- 25.

Companies interested in working with Aston University can get further information at https://www.aston.ac.uk/biochar-cleantech-accelerator

Meanwhile in other news, Freepoint Eco-Systems LLC has announced the first delivery of pyrolysis oil (PyOil) made from waste plastic to Shell USA's refining facility in Norco, Louisiana.

Freepoint owns and operates a waste plastic upcycling facility in Hebron, Ohio, that converts around 90,000 tonnes/year of waste plastic into PyOil, from which its customers can manufacture new products.

The Hebron facility, which is ISCC Plus certified, began construction in late 2022 and is currently undergoing commissioning.

"We are excited to get the first production from our Hebron facility into the market and to help companies and waste collectors upcycle plastic waste into a valuable commodity," said Jeff McMahon, Managing Director at Freepoint. "By moving PyOil by rail in large quantities, we further increase the carbon benefit of substituting PyOil for traditional feedstocks made from crude oil. Repurposing waste plastic that is otherwise destined for landfills or incinerators at commercial scale is an important step to begin to address the waste plastic problem," he added.

Laura Chamorro, GM Commercial, Shell Polymers, said, "Successful operation of facilities such as Freepoint's demonstrates commercial scale advanced recycling capabilities, which are essential to expanding the availability of recycled materials and supporting growing demand for Shell's certified circular products."

Shell Polymers Monaca plant in Pennsylvania is located in proximity to over 70% of the North American polyethylene market.

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