World-first hydrogen plasma torch recycles plastic waste in 0.01 secs

South Korean researchers, led by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), have developed the world’s first hydrogen-powered plasma torch capable of breaking down unsorted plastic waste into valuable chemicals in just 0.01 seconds. Operating at ultra-high temperatures of up to 2,000°C, this plasma-based process rapidly decomposes mixed plastics without the need for prior sorting, overcoming a significant barrier in current recycling methods. Unlike traditional pyrolysis, which operates at lower temperatures and produces numerous unwanted by-products, this hydrogen-fueled plasma torch selectively converts plastic waste into ethylene and benzene with 70-90% selectivity, yielding raw materials over 99% pure after purification—suitable for manufacturing new plastics. The use of 100% hydrogen fuel prevents carbon soot formation, enabling stable and continuous operation. This technology also effectively processes waxy residues from other recycling methods with over 80% selectivity. The project, involving multiple Korean research institutes and universities, has demonstrated that the