Coolbrook, a transformational technology and engineering company, has reached a major milestone in circular materials. At its large-scale pilot facility, the company successfully cracked 100% plastic-waste-derived pyrolysis oil (py-oil) using its proprietary RotoDynamic Reactor™ (RDR) technology.
First-of-Its-Kind Success
In a global first, Coolbrook demonstrated that py-oil from plastic waste can be cracked directly in the RDR while maintaining stable operations and delivering high yields of ethylene and propylene. This accomplishment highlights the robustness of Coolbrook’s electrified cracking technology and its ability to process challenging, circular feedstocks.
Closing the Loop in Plastics Recycling
Pyrolysis oil is a critical building block for circular plastics recycling. By proving the RDR can handle 100% py-oil without dilution, Coolbrook is paving the way for more sustainable olefin production. This breakthrough strengthens the potential of advanced recycling to contribute to both circularity and decarbonisation in the petrochemical industry.
Building on Earlier Pilot Achievements
The success builds on Coolbrook’s earlier pilot tests at Brightlands in the Netherlands, where the company heated gases such as air, steam, nitrogen, and methane to over 1000 °C using renewable electricity. Coolbrook also cracked naphtha at the pilot plant, achieving significantly higher yields compared to traditional furnaces. The new py-oil results confirm that the company’s electrified turbomachinery-based process is versatile and scalable for real-world feedstocks.
Expert Validation
Dr. Tuomas Ouni, Head of Process Development at Coolbrook, emphasized, “Cracking 100% pyrolysis oil directly without dilution simplifies operations and enhances traceability of circular materials. Coolbrook’s RDR delivers superior ethylene and propylene yields compared to conventional furnaces, without noticeable increases in coking. These results confirm the RDR’s potential to become central in decarbonisation and circularity for petrochemicals.”
Part of EU Horizon Europe’s eLECTRO Project
The tests were conducted under the eLECTRO project, funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme. This initiative integrates advanced waste pre-treatment, electrified pyrolysis, and Coolbrook’s RDR-based electrified cracking. The project’s ultimate goal is to demonstrate scalable and sustainable solutions for the future of plastics and petrochemicals, ensuring both circularity and reduced carbon emissions.
Driving the Future of Petrochemicals
As per company press release, with this pioneering achievement, Coolbrook has reinforced its role as a leader in green electrification and circular feedstock processing. By enabling direct cracking of end-of-life plastics into high-value olefins, the company is reshaping the pathway to a sustainable and climate-friendly petrochemical industry.
