Our Technology
How Pyrolysis Technology is transforming waste into a valuable resource
Why traditional recycling falls short
For years, materials like end-of-life wind turbine blades and certain plastics have been a dead-end, destined for landfills or incineration. These problematic waste streams, including Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), represent a significant environmental burden. G-NRGY’s technology offers a definitive and profitable solution, turning this waste into new products and clean energy.
At its core, pyrolysis is a thermal conversion process. We take waste materials and heat them to high temperatures in a controlled environment, completely free of oxygen. This is a crucial distinction from incineration, which burns waste and releases harmful emissions. Our process breaks down the materials into their basic components, creating a trifecta of valuable outputs:
- Pyrolysis Oil: A high-quality, synthetic oil that can serve as a direct, cleaner substitute for traditional fossil fuels.
- Syngas: A powerful, clean-burning gas that we use to power our own facility, making our technology entirely self-sustaining and independent of external energy sources.
- Carbon Char : A versatile solid residue with potential uses as a soil enhancer or in the production of new materials, completing the circular loop.
The People Behind the Technology
Our approach is founded on rigorous research and real-world application, guided by our founder and guest speaker, George K. Irvine. As an Island Innovation Ambassador, George brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by remote communities and a passion for creating sustainable, local solutions. His presentations, including one at Teesside University, underscore our commitment to sharing our knowledge and advancing the global conversation on sustainable practices.
Our technology is specifically designed to assist with the decarbonization of the Shetland Islands, reducing the need for landfill expansion and providing a local end-of-life facility for plastics and composite waste. This “Built in Shetland, Exported to the World” model is a testament to our focus on practical, impactful solutions that can be scaled globally.
- Transforming Plastics: From a single tonne of HDPE plastics, our process can yield up to 55% pyrolysis oil, a remarkable conversion rate.
- Powering the Future: The energy output from our plant is substantial. A single facility can generate 1.5 MWh of electrical energy per hour, which is enough power to supply approximately 10 average-sized homes for a day.
- Fueling the Green Economy: We are pioneering the production of clean hydrogen from our syngas. From just 1,000 kg of HDPE, we can create enough hydrogen to fuel a vehicle for a journey of 10,000 km.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is G-NRGY's pyrolysis different from traditional incineration?
What specific types of waste can your technology process?
We specialize in problematic waste streams, including Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) from wind turbine blades, HDPE from plastics and marine debris, and other composite materials that are not easily recyclable.