Solar Photocatalytic Upgrading of Pyrolysis Oil - PYROSOL

Plastic pollution and the scarcity of resources are major global challenges. Every year, millions of tons of mixed plastic waste are generated, yet current recycling methods cannot process them efficiently. One promising method, pyrolysis, heats plastics to convert them into usable oils and gases. However, today’s processes consume a lot of energy and produce low-quality products contaminated with harmful chemicals like chlorine and bromine, which makes the oils difficult to reuse or valorize. Developing cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable recycling solutions is therefore essential to transform plastic waste into valuable resources.

The PYROSOL project aims to address this challenge by combining sunlight with advanced material design. The key idea is to use solar energy to drive chemical reactions that selectively remove harmful contaminants from pyrolysis oils, creating cleaner and higher-value products. The approach will be tested on both lab-made and real mixed plastic wastes. The findings will help demonstrate new sustainable ways  to recycle plastics more cleanly and efficiently, while opening opportunities for greener technologies. Ultimately, PYROSOL contributes to the circular economy while fostering cross-border innovation and economic development in the Upper Rhine region and beyond.