EXTRACTING FUEL FROM WASTE PLASTIC PRODUCTS?

KUCHING (Malaysia), Oct (Bernama) - Can we extract fuel from waste plastic products? It is "possible" said Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Fadillah Yusof Friday.

He said a Sarawak-based company was carrying out a pilot project to extract
fuel from plastic waste products, which have been always treated as a threat to
the environment.

He said the company, owned by a former employee of Petronas from Miri, had
set up a plant in Shah Alam, Selangor to extract fuel from the waste
products.

"The ministry will fund the research and development (R&D) works, under the
MOSTI e-Techno Fund if the pilot project proves successful in a year's
time.

"Then, they will roll it out and venture with industry people to
commercialise it," he told reporters at his Hari Raya open house in Petra Jaya
here Friday.

He added that the company had submitted an application for RM10 million to
MOSTI e-Techno Fund, a competitive funding to undertake development of new and
cutting edge technologies with commercial potential and to create new business
and generate economic wealth for Malaysia.

Fadillah said the ministry welcomed the pilot project, as it will help save
the environment and tackle better the use of non biodegradable plastic.

A company from Germany is expected to supply the Sarawak-based company
waste plastic products for the purpose of extraction.

Plastic is prepared from petroleum products through polymerisation process.
Fuel is said to be extracted from plastic items through a depolymerisation
process using a specially developed reactor.

-- BERNAMA