Thermal Depolymerisation

Last updated: 4 April 2026

Thermal Depolymerisation is the process of breaking down plastics from electronic waste using heat to convert them back into raw materials or fuel.

Last reviewed by Marcus Williams on 23 March 2026

This method involves heating plastic waste in an oxygen-free environment. Which causes the long polymer chains that make up plastics to break apart. The resulting mixture can then be separated into its constituent parts-hydrocarbons and other valuable chemicals-which can be used as feedstock for making new products. Such as lubricants or diesel fuel. This approach not only helps reduce landfill waste but also provides a means of recovering value from materials that might otherwise go to waste.

For example, in 2019, the company Plasco Energy Group in Canada processed over 50 tonnes of e-waste weekly using thermal depolymerisation technology at their pilot plant. By doing so, they were able to recover valuable raw materials and reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills by up to 85%.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, The value of raw materials in global e-waste was estimated at $91 billion in 2022.

Thermal Depolymerisation matters for consumers and businesses because it offers a way to manage electronic waste more sustainably. It reduces environmental pollution from e-waste in landfills and incinerators, which can leach harmful chemicals into soil and groundwater or release toxic fumes when burned.

This process ties into other concepts like chemical recycling and mechanical recycling, where different techniques are used to break down plastics for reuse. Chemical recycling methods like thermal depolymerisation offer an alternative to traditional recycling approaches, which often struggle with the complexity of modern plastic formulations found in electronic devices.

According to a 2019 report by the United Nations University, only around 17% of e-waste is recycled officially each year, highlighting the need for innovative solutions like thermal depolymerisation to address the growing mountain of discarded electronics.

According to the World Economic Forum, e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream globally.

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