Mura Technology, in collaboration with WMG at the University of Warwick and Innovate UK, has secured a new two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) grant.  

The partnership aims to further develop operational sustainability models for Mura's Hydro-PRT advanced recycling technology. 

This initiative is set to identify opportunities for enhancing the environmental performance of the process. 

The Hydro-PRT technology by Mura is recognised for its potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions.  

The first Hydro-PRT site in Teesside, UK, is projected to save 40,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually once it begins operations this year.

Mura Technology specialises in the advanced recycling of waste plastics, transforming post-use, mixed plastics into recycled hydrocarbon feedstocks.  

These feedstocks are then used by the petrochemicals industry to produce virgin-grade plastics, including those used in food packaging. 

The company has two more plants under construction in South Korea and Japan, with expected completion by the end of 2024. 

Amidst increasing regulations on plastic waste, Mura is ambitiously planning to expand its recycling capacity to more than 1.5 million tonnes by 2032.  

WMG's role in this partnership includes developing a modelling platform that will integrate sustainability into all future Mura project sites.  

This platform will incorporate life cycle assessments to transparently showcase the environmental compliance of Hydro-PRT. 

The modelling platform is also designed to serve as an educational tool for stakeholders, including global regulators and policymakers, highlighting the low-carbon potential of Hydro-PRT.  

Mura sustainability and R&D head Geoff Brighty said: "Continuing the collaboration with WMG is critically important to bring this new science into our core business operation.  

“Hydro-PRT has sector-leading sustainability credentials, but every prospective site will be unique, influenced by the local energy grid, plant configurations as well as its material supply chain. The KTP project models will inform options appraisals and decision making, ensuring sustainability is at the heart of our global growth programme." 

In March this year, Mura Technology announced an offtake agreement with Neste, marking a step towards a circular plastic economy.