THE PROBLEM of climate change is an overarching one that becomes more pressing as time goes on. As such, calls for pioneering technologies to curb environmental pollution and reduce climate change are increasing. City Oil Field Inc., a South Korean environmental corporation, is now able to successfully do what had previously only been theoretically possible—transforming waste plastic back into petroleum by utilizing Regenerated Green Oil (RGO) technology. The commercialization of RGO technology can open new avenues for the Korean economy and, more importantly, resolve environmental issues resulting from plastic waste through further research and development.

Limitations in plastic recycling technology before RGO technology

   Prior to the introduction of RGO technology, plastic was perceived as a material that could not be recycled completely as it takes an extremely long amount of time for it to decompose naturally. As such, incineration and landfill burial have been the primary means to dispose of waste plastic. However, such measures are highly problematic as they can damage the environment[1].

   Incineration releases air pollutants such as carbon dioxide and particle matters—a group of chemically related compounds that pollute the air. Plastic incineration also releases heavy metals such as mercury and lead that cause neurological diseases, and toxic chemicals such as dioxin and per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—chemicals that induce cancer and other health problems[2]. Another downside of incineration is its low recycling rate, as 60% of the incinerated waste remains unrecycled[3]. 

   Burial is also an ineffective disposal method given the extensive time taken for plastic to naturally decompose. It is also unsafe as there are dangers of the plastic waste breaking down into nano plastics and polluting the soil[1]. This could lead to plastic particles entering the food chain and raises the risks of microplastic consumption, which could limit proper cellular function and cause tissue inflammation within our bodies[4]. 

     Prior to RGO technology, it was not possible to turn plastic waste back into petroleum—at least in an efficient and sustainable way, given the environmentally hazardous and unrecyclable waste biproducts of long-established recycling methods. One such method of processing plastic is polymerization or polycondensation, which entails changing plastic into other materials by adjusting its molecular structure[5]. Another way to reclaim plastic is through pyrolyzation—heating plastic waste at extremely high temperatures. However, as mentioned before, both processes are not widely utilized as they are inefficient, laborious, and create toxic waste. 

The nuances of RGO technology

   RGO technology solves the inefficiency problem associated with using incineration or burial for plastic disposal as it is a technology that carries out emulsification[6] of waste plastics under a low temperature and uses wave energy for the process[7]. City Oil Field developed a unique, specialized ceramic ball that is heated to 280°C to create a specific range of wave energy with a distinct wavelength. This energy then separates oil vapor from the remaining materials found in waste plastic[1]. 

   The process does not leave any residue aside from high-calorie carbon powders—substances that can be utilized as raw materials for solid fuels after undergoing a secondary process to further refine them. RGO technology also takes a mere ten hours to process plastic, and the petroleum extracted from waste plastic is proven to be of great use. Another merit of RGO technology is that waste can be disposed through a small amount of electricity[1]. Moreover, as RGO technology only requires electricity for power, the maintenance and repair processes for the technology are efficient as well. The oil extracted from RGO technology has also proven to be useful in numerous ways. It can be used as crude oil and even industrial oil to run thermal power plants. If the converted oil undergoes a secondary refining process, the oil’s utility and value increase[1]. 

Commercialization of RGO technology

   As indicated by Ham Dong-hyun, Chairman of Operations of City Oil Field, RGO technology can resolve plastic waste issues and energy problems simultaneously[1]. It has been reported that the resource yield from RGO technology is as high as 90%. A 90% yield means that 9 tons of oil can be extracted from 10 tons of plastic waste, indicating that RGO technology-processed plastics provide high economic returns[1]. Motivated by RGO technology’s economic benefits, City Oil Field is expediting its plans to establish a 5,000-ton plant in the United Kingdom to further commercialize RGO technology[1]. RGO technology can also push the world closer to realizing its carbon neutrality goal, which is why it has merit in the international pollution treatment market[8]. 

   RGO technology is attracting considerable attention not just in South Korea but internationally as well[7]. China is one country that adopted RGO technology to initiate a joint project in 2018 under the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and the China National General Machinery Engineering Corp.[8]. The United Kingdom has also expressed significant interest in RGO technology. Alongside building a plant and a research center to carry out a joint research program with City Oil Field, the United Kingdom also plans to replace 10% of its imported plastic waste-reclaimed oil requirement with eco-friendly, RGO technology-processed oil[1]. Furthermore, the Board of Sabien Technology (SNT) Group—a London-based company that develops eco-friendly technologies and renewable energy—has launched “Project COFFEE,” which will push forth an exclusive sales agency agreement for RGO technology in the United Kingdom[9].  

   The Executive Chairman of SNT, Richard Parris, expresses high hopes that the agenda to replace 10% of the United Kingdom’s imported oil with oil processed by RGO technology would “deliver a significant benefit to the wider U.K. economy[9].” He further states that the promotion of RGO technology “is the best and most effective way for technology under Sabien’s control to be positioned within the U.K. market” and that “City Oil Field’s technology is the most appropriate solution for the production of sustainable diesel fuel from waste plastic in commercial values[2],” highlighting the long-term ecological and economic benefits RGO technology would bring. 

   Currently, there are talks about City Oil Field signing agreements with domestic recycling organizations and petrochemical conglomerates to devise detailed action plans to commercialize, utilize, and facilitate the proliferation of RGO technology and resuscitate the biodegradable plastic industry[10]. In addition, authorities in the Korean government are holding consultations to push forth a treatment plan for biodegradable plastics to improve the efficiency and quality of the recycling process. The government is also discussing a domestic incentive subsidy system to globally promote the further application of RGO technology with the hopes that eco-friendly companies will utilize the technology practically[10]. 

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   With RGO technology, there has been significant progress in the fields of technology and ecology. As more countries show interest in RGO technology, potential barriers to commercializing and/or implementing the technology will be reduced. If RGO technology is properly harvested, South Korea could potentially even become an oil-producing country. It would therefore be in South Korea’s best interests to continue its discussions on the domestic incentive subsidy system in order to globally promote RGO technology.

[1] Maeil Business Newspaper 

[2] Natural Resources Defense Council 

[3] Client Earth 

[4] Nature

[5] Plastics Europe

[6] Emulsification: process of separating liquids that are unmixable to a semistable composition

[7] Money Today

[8] Money Today

[9] Investegate

[10] Newsis