INC-5.2 Ends Early, Highlighting the Urgent Need for a Revolution in International Plastic Recycling Technology

Recently, the second round of negotiations (INC-5.2) of the fifth session of the Global Plastics Convention was held in Geneva, Switzerland. Unfortunately, the parties failed to reach an agreement on the treaty text, leading to an early termination of the talks.  

The issue of white pollution caused by waste plastics continues to inflict severe damage on oceans and land, with no anticipated resolution in sight. Plastic pollution remains an urgent and escalating crisis.  

The erosion of rivers and oceans by plastic pollution has far exceeded previous human expectations. According to a warning from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, if current plastic emission patterns persist, the total volume of plastics in the oceans could exceed that of fish by 2050. This dire reality compels us to reexamine the lifecycle of plastics—not only by reducing usage at the source but also by innovating end-of-life plastic treatment and resource recovery methods.  

Traditional landfilling not only occupies land and pollutes the environment but also represents a significant waste of energy. As petroleum-based polymer materials, plastics inherently contain rich chemical energy and should be transformed into usable resources within a circular economy framework rather than simply landfilled. Against this backdrop, chemical recycling—particularly continuous pyrolysis technology—is increasingly becoming a globally recognized high-value solution for waste plastic recycling.  

Through this technology, waste plastics that once accumulated in landfills or floated in oceans are no longer seen merely as pollutants but as potential carriers of "urban oil fields" and sustainable energy. Chemical recycling not only alleviates environmental pressure but also gradually moves us toward a future of waste-free resources.  

Niutech, a Chinese technology company, is a pioneer and driving force in this field. The company specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of industrial continuous waste plastic pyrolysis technology and equipment. It can convert unsorted mixed waste plastics into high-value pyrolysis products through pyrolysis. The primary product is pyrolysis oil, which can be directly used as fuel—achieving "plastic-to-oil"—or serve as a raw material for further synthesis of resins or new plastic products, truly realizing a closed-loop cycle of "plastic-to-plastic."  

This pyrolysis technology offers several significant advantages:  

- Extremely low energy consumption, saving energy compared to other technical processes;  

- Operates without oxygen and at atmospheric pressure, ensuring high safety;  

- Requires no raw material cleaning, avoiding wastewater generation from the source;  

- Functions within a closed system, ensuring zero leakage of pollutants;  

- Achieves a conversion efficiency of over 99%, greatly conserving virgin natural resources;  

- Delivers high economic benefits, with both pyrolysis oil and combustible gas holding substantial economic value.  

Currently, Niutech's pyrolysis equipment has been successfully deployed and operational in multiple countries, including the UK, Denmark, South Korea, and Thailand. Project feedback indicates that the pyrolysis products offer significant economic value, effectively addressing plastic pollution while generating considerable commercial returns. As a result, the technology has gained strong recognition from clients and is being rapidly promoted worldwide, with its influence continuing to expand.