Working with OPTOCE to advance Co-processing in Thailand
OPTOCE (Ocean Plastic Turned into an Opportunity in Circular Economy) is an international initiative led by Norway through SINTEF, aimed at reducing marine plastic pollution by exploring the use of non-recyclable plastic waste as an alternative fuel in industrial processes, particularly in cement kilns.
The project works with countries in Asia to demonstrate how co-processing can safely and sustainably manage plastic waste that would otherwise leak into the environment. Activities include technical assessments, pilot trials, emissions monitoring, and evaluations of environmental and economic impacts.
In Thailand, the OPTOCE initiative has brought together SINTEF and INSEE Ecocycle to explore the feasibility of co-processing non-recyclable plastics in cement kilns. This pilot demonstration uses plastic waste collected from landfill mining operations to produce refuse-derived fuel (RDF), which is then used as an alternative fuel in cement production. Testing under various operating conditions examined calorific value, process stability, product quality, and standardized emissions measurements to assess potential impacts.
The pilot’s findings highlight the strong potential of Thailand’s cement industry to play a key role in addressing non-recyclable plastic waste. Since 2017, INSEE Ecocycle has removed 739,295 tons of plastic through dumpsite mining projects and used 577,786 tons of RDF to substitute coal—equivalent to 1,192,117 tCO₂e in avoided emissions—reinforcing the value of scalable, circular solutions.