Alterra, a leader in advanced plastic recycling, announced a successful trial of its pyrolysis oil in Australia. This marks a key step toward a circular plastics economy.
In the trial, 9.5 tons of plastic pyrolysis oil (PPO) were processed at Viva Energy’s Geelong Refinery. The oil was produced by Alterra at its Ohio facility from end-of-life plastics. The process demonstrated the compatibility of Alterra’s recycled product with existing refining infrastructure.
The results show Alterra’s technology can produce high-quality PPO at scale. This supports Viva Energy’s plan to establish a permanent soft plastics recycling facility in Australia. The trial confirms that Alterra’s process can seamlessly integrate with conventional refineries and deliver pure outputs from difficult plastic waste streams.
Valerio Coppini, Alterra’s Chief Commercial Officer, said the trial was an important milestone. “Our technology can be integrated with existing systems, enabling scalable recycling,” he said. “This partnership with Viva Energy aims to redefine the lifecycle of plastic and promote sustainability.”
Alterra’s proprietary process breaks down plastics into their chemical building blocks. This creates sustainable feedstocks for new plastics and chemicals. The PPO used in the trial is representative of what would be produced at a full-scale recycling plant.
Bill Patterson, Viva Energy’s Executive General Manager of Refining, expressed enthusiasm. “Our Geelong Refinery has a long history of producing essential fuels,” Patterson said. “This initiative shows how the refinery can play a role in the energy transition and help address Australia’s plastic waste problem.”
The trial highlights the potential for large-scale plastic recycling solutions in Australia. Both companies see this as a step toward more sustainable plastics management and a circular economy.
