Manipal University Jaipur in collaboration with UNIDO and IRMRI developed a novel integrated solution to treat plastic waste coming from wastepaper mills in India
Manipal University Jaipur is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to further the partnership with UNIDO and government bodies, as the organization embarks on the next phase of development to create even more impactful and sustainable solutions for industrial challenges.
admin
0
Jaipur, 3 May : Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), supported by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Indian Rubber Materials Research Institute (IRMRI), developed a novel approach for upcycling of mixed plastic waste generated in Indian paper industry in abundant quantities to the tune of more than 0.5 million tons/annum. These paper mills are faced with severe challenges in their disposal.
Dr G K Prabhu, President MUJ congratulated Dr Abhishek Sharma and his team for such a remarkable research.
The project involves a holistic approach of thermo-chemical treatment of the plastic waste and its conversion into commercial grade fuel/chemical, and carbonaceous byproduct finding value added industrial application in rubber industry such as bicycle tires and other components thus addressing issues related to environmental pollution. This project sponsored by UNIDO in support with DPIIT involve strategic approach of Dr. Rakesh Jain technical expert and team UNIDO based on their interactions with paper mills in India.
Under Prof. Abhishek Sharma's guidance, Manipal University Jaipur's research team from the Department of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering with participation of faculty members from Mechanical and Civil Engineering Departments executed the project, focusing on the thermo- chemical conversion of paper plastic waste into valuable products such as diesel grade fuel and bitumen grade fraction offering a sustainable solution for road construction application.
Another by product so called char generated from the process has been utilized by the Indian Rubber Materials Research Institute (IRMRI) for finding rubber compounding applications. Based on the results shared by Dr. Rajkumar, Director IRMRI, it was revealed that partial replacement of carbon black with char is feasible with certain modifications, offering potential applications in rubber manufacturing such as bicycle tires, hand grips, pedals, and conveyer belts etc. This in turn help to reduce CO2 emissions, environmental as well as health issues, for sustainable and circular economy as well as to reduce the consumption of fossil raw materials. Gaseous fractions obtained from the process will be utilized for heat applications, ensuring the process is self-sustainable in terms of energy requirements.
Overall, the UNIDO’s project has reached a significant milestone with its successful completion to provide a techno-economic solution for handling and repurposing the plastic waste generated in Indian paper industry and marking a pivotal moment in collaboration with MUJ and IRMRI. Based on the promising results achieved, UNIDO has been exploring to advance towards technology scale up with MUJ and IRMRI for managing this waste in the country. Manipal University Jaipur is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to further the partnership with UNIDO and government bodies, as the organization embarks on the next phase of development to create even more impactful and sustainable solutions for industrial challenges.
