Mura Technology, LG Chem accelerates global drive towards a circular plastics economy
Mura Technology (Mura), the UK-based plastics recycling technology pioneer, has completed an equity investment from LG Chem, a leading global chemical producer. The investment bolsters Mura’s plans to develop and deploy industrial-scale advanced recycling capacity across the world, with LG Chem joining the growing list of strategic partners adopting Mura’s technology.
In addition to becoming a shareholder in Mura, LG Chem has purchased a process license from KBR, Mura’s exclusive global licensing partner. This license will be a key driver in the continued international roll-out of Mura’s innovative recycling process, HydroPRT (Hydrothermal Plastic Recycling Technology), and LG Chem plans to construct a hydrothermal upgrading facility to initially recycle up to 25,000 tons of plastic waste annually.
Once the facility, which will be the first in South Korea to use supercritical water, is operational, LG Chem plans to review the potential for constructing additional sites. This will continue to drive Mura’s global impact following the recent announcement of its first US-based HydroPRT site near Seattle. Construction is already underway on Mura’s UK-based plant located in Teesside, which will be operational in 2022.
The partnership is also a significant milestone in Mura’s global expansion, particularly in the key market of Asia, which represents 48% of global plastic production. It is the second agreement signed as part of Mura’s partnership with KBR, and follows the announcement of a license with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation in June 2021, as well as strategic partnerships with Dow and Chevron Phillips Chemical Corporation. These partnerships give Mura the global reach needed to scale up HydroPRT and achieve its goal of developing 1 MM tons of recycling capacity by 2025.
HydroPRT is capable of recycling end-of-life plastic; converting mixed plastic streams into fossil-replacement oils and chemicals, enabling plastic waste to be upgraded into new plastics and other products, including sustainable road materials. There is no anticipated limit to the number of times the same material can be recycled, and the use of supercritical water within the process makes it inherently scalable.
South Korea is one of the world’s leaders in plastic consumption per capita, and a crucial market for deploying HydroPRT. Post-use plastic from both the commercial and industrial sectors contributes significantly to increased levels of waste in South Korea, however capacity for recycling at scale remains low, particularly in high-traffic, urban areas, despite the country’s aim to reduce its plastic waste by 20% by 2025. Successful deployment of HydroPRT will dramatically increase the potential recycling capacity in South Korea and will also serve as a blueprint for other countries around the world with similarly ambitious waste reduction targets.
Dr. Steve Mahon, CEO of Mura Technology: “We are delighted to have LG Chem as a shareholder alongside our other strategic partners who are supporting us in the growth and deployment of advanced recycling capacity. This investment further shows the vital role HydroPRT will play in supporting a truly circular plastics economy globally and in tackling the carbon emissions caused by plastic.
“We need efficient and scalable solutions today to cut plastic pollution, which is why we are continuing to work with industrial-scale partners around the world. These businesses provide the global platform our technology needs to drive real change, and our expanded partnership with LG Chem is another vital step towards a truly circular economy.”
Kug-lae Noh, the President of Petrochemicals Company of LG Chem: “LG Chem is pleased to announce an investment in Mura’s HydroPRT Technology. By purchasing a license, we will construct our own hydrothermal recycle facility using the process. We see this as an extremely important step towards tackling plastic waste pollution and slashing the carbon emissions which threaten our environment.”
Each year, an estimated 300 MM tons of plastic waste is generated, half of which is single-use plastics. Further, the extraction of fossil fuels and their transportation to plastic manufacturing sites emits 12.5 to 13.5 MM tons of GHGs every year. A circular economy, in which plastics are reused, remade, and recycled, could slash CO2 emissions by 39% across the globe.
Mura’s HydroPRT process will play a central role in a global circular economy by providing a radical new way to recycle all forms of end-of-life plastic that would otherwise be incinerated, sent to landfill, or leak into the environment as plastic pollution, helping to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic and cut carbon emissions.
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