Japanese duo to recycle VLCC plastic waste into fuel oil and petrochemical products

Japanese shipping line Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan have commenced a test to recycle plastic waste generated aboard a very large crude carrier (VLCC) into fuel oil and petrochemical products.

PHOTO: Idemitsu Tanker’s VLCC Suzukasan. Idemitsu Kosan

The test will be carried out on Idemitsu Kosan’s subsidiary Idemitsu Tanker’s VLCC, Suzukasan. The vessel is under a charter agreement with MOL.

As part of the demonstration test, Chemical Recycle Japan – a unit of Idemitsu Kosan – will use the VLCC plastic waste as raw material to produce oil.

Idemitsu Kosan is set to assess the viability of recycling used plastics from MOL-operated vessels, including VLCCs, by determining if the resulting oil can be utilised in petrochemical products and fuel oil.

This project is a follow-up to the duo’s demonstration test to recycle marine plastic waste into fuel oil and petrochemical products in September last year.

By Tuhin Roy

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