Trifol Resources, a Tipperary-based Irish fuel firm, has struck an agreement with Shell for the supply of a bio-oil named pyrolysis. This is produced from discarded plastic and can be utilised to manufacture a vast array of goods. As per a representative from Trifol, the firm’s proprietary process turns plastic waste into 50% wax and 50% oil. These end products have applications in manufacturing various commodities, such as chemical feedstock, fuel, diesel, and cosmetics.
The Trifol representative also highlighted that each individual in Ireland generates an alarming 58kg of plastic waste annually. Trifol launched full-scale operations in June at their plant – the former Bord na Móna briquette factory sited in Lanespark, Co Tipperary. The company also has ambitions to set up an additional 14 facilities within the subsequent two years.
Trifol has its sights set on extending its reach into eight further markets within the EU. It has attracted interest mainly from Germany and the United Arab Emirates. The representative stated that Trifol is on course to managing two plants with a capacity of 190,000 tons by 2030, one in Ireland and another in either the UK or Germany.
By 2030, the European Union has a goal of lowering waste by 60%, as laid out under the Waste Framework Directive. The project receives backing from both the European Commission and the State’s climate action fund.
Pat Alley, Trifol Resources’ Chair, commented that this is Trifol’s first significant venture in Europe, with the aim to produce sustainable fuel and circular chemical feedstock drawn from waste plastic.
By forming this partnership, the two companies plan on promoting recycling and cutting down on landfill dependency.
Removing waste plastic from the environment whilst facilitating a circular economy is a crucial aspect of the process, according to Trifol Resources’ CEO, Dr Ruben Rodriguez.
Trifol Resources was initiated in November 2014 and successfully raised €300,000 in July 2019 within just 24 hours via crowdfunding.
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