PolyCycl, an Indian startup, has unveiled its groundbreaking chemical recycling technology ContiFlow Cracker, a continuous thermo-chemical pyrolysis process. This sophisticated process breaks down waste plastics into liquid hydrocarbon oils, which are then meticulously purified to remove contaminants. The resulting chemical feedstocks become valuable resources for the petrochemical and hydrocarbon industries, enabling the production of new low-carbon materials like circular polymers.

This technology is poised to transform the way India tackles its mounting plastic waste crisis. The company's patented, fully indigenous innovation, developed over a decade, offers a closed-loop solution, converting single-use and difficult-to-recycle plastics into valuable resources, including food-grade polymers, renewable chemicals, and sustainable fuels.

A key advantage of PolyCycl's technology is its scalability and cost-effectiveness. The modular processing lines, capable of handling 15 to 100 tonnes of plastic waste per day, offer significantly lower capital costs compared to similar technologies in Europe and the US, reportedly between one-half and one-fourth of competitive solutions. Furthermore, the company boasts an impressive EBITDA (operating profit) exceeding 50%, making the technology commercially viable and attractive for investors and industry partners.

India faces a staggering challenge with over 10.2 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually, a significant portion of which comprises single-use plastics like grocery bags and flexible packaging. Traditional recycling methods struggle with these materials, leading to overflowing landfills, environmental pollution, and harmful incineration practices. PolyCycl's technology offers a much-needed alternative, breaking down these plastics to their molecular building blocks for reconstitution into high-quality, virgin-like materials.

Amit Tandon, founder and CEO of PolyCycl, highlighted the severity of the plastic waste problem and the limitations of existing solutions. "Our technology breaks plastics down to their molecular building blocks, which can then be reconstituted to create high-quality, virgin-like materials," Tandon explained. He emphasized the impressive conversion yields of 65-75%, validated by several global petrochemical companies, showcasing the technology's potential for widespread adoption.

PolyCycl's innovation aligns perfectly with India's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, which mandate increasing recycled content in flexible and rigid plastic packaging by 2025-26. Tandon affirmed that PolyCycl's Generation VI technology directly supports these targets by producing virgin-quality recycled polymers that meet the rigorous standards required for food-contact and pharmaceutical packaging, areas where recycled plastics have traditionally faced challenges.

By providing a viable and scalable solution for plastic waste management, PolyCycl is not only addressing a critical environmental challenge but also creating economic opportunities and paving the way for a circular plastics economy in India and beyond.