In 2017, then Union Minister Y.S. Chowdary, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said that plastic can be converted into petrol, diesel and other hydrocarbons. He elaborated on how CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad has developed a catalyst that can be used for conversion of waste plastics to fuel oils. He added that CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun in collaboration with GAIL (India) Ltd. has developed a process by which waste polyethylene and polypropylene type plastics can be converted into petrol and diesel. The estimate was that 1 kg of waste polyethylene and polypropylene can be converted to either about 600-650 ml of petrol or 700-750 ml of diesel along with LPG, with the process developed at the bench scale. Why does it not translate into action on the ground (Editorial page, “A plastic charter”, June 13)?
Jobson Antony,
Thrissur, Kerala
