SMRTR Science & Engineering• Jun 8, 2026• Interesting Engineering

Researchers build 25-liter pilot reactor for recycling plastic waste into oil

SMRTR summary

Researchers at the University of Amsterdam built a 25-liter pilot reactor that converts unsorted mixed plastic waste into reusable oil in just 30 minutes, using heat, pressure, and specialized catalysts. Backed by €1.5 million in funding, the reactor is heading to Spain to process real municipal waste, potentially enabling modular recycling plants worldwide.

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Researchers build 25-liter pilot reactor for recycling plastic waste into oil

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