Plastic 2 Oil Turns Plastic into…Oil!

7 by Becky Striepe on September 1, 2011

Remember that amazing machine that turned plastic into oil? Well, a new company called Plastic 2 Oil is taking that idea and running with it.

They're not using the exact same technology. JBI, the company behind Plastic 2 Oil, has developed a catalyst that speeds up the process and reduces the associated waste. The plan is to "mine" landfills for plastic and use their proprietary technology to turn it into usable oil. According to Jo Borras at Gas 2.0:

JBI’s proprietary catalyst and unique process engineering enables JBI to capture nearly 90% of the hydrocarbon content of plastic, with any remaining residue or non usable substances (about 2%) removed during the normal course of operations. The remaining gasses contain small amounts of gasoline and diesel fuel, which are then condensed into liquid form and separated before being routed into temporary fuel tanks. The remaining gaseous “light fractions” – which include methane, ethane, butane and propane – exit the temporary fuel storage tank and are, themselves, compressed and stored for later use.

It only takes an hour to convert 1800 pounds of plastic into usable fuel. The company website says they're producing a liter of fuel for each kilogram of plastic, so that 1800 pounds of plastic equals about 216 gallons of gas.

JBI is teaming up with RockTenn, a packaging company, and essentially mining their all plastic landfills for raw materials.

Here's a quick video that gives you a peek into the process:

Pretty crazy, right? Of course, the best solution to our plastic problem is to just use less plastic, but in the meantime, this program has the potential to do a lot of good!

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http://arcticcirclecartoons.com Alex Hallatt

Is this good? I don’t know – once plastic is in landfill, at least the carbon is fixed. This (energy-intensive) process may mean more carbon released into the atmosphere.
Jon Goldstein

Alex,

I am a JBII investor. I also am in favor of technology that enhances the environment.

Let me try to explain why I think Plastic2Oil is both good for the environment and a good investment.

First, this is not an energy-intensive process. All of the energy required for the process comes from off-gases generated by the process. Do not jump to the conclusion that this is a perpetual motion machine. That is not what I am saying. I am saying that as the plastic is first melted, then vaporized, then converted to marketable fuel, gas that is similar to natural gas is produced. This gas is used to run the furnace which supplies the heat for the process.

There are not toxins released into the atmosphere by the process.

The fuels that are generated are cleaner than fuels from a refinery. The sulphur content of the fuel is negligible.

Yes, the fuel generated will be burned and leave a carbon footprint. But consider the following benefits that offset this negative.

1) All fuel recovered from plastic will mean that much less fuel that must be taken out of the ground.

2) Plastic waste is a major problem throughout the world. This process addresses this problem. Think Pacific Garbage Patch. Think plastic litter of all kinds. Think plastic filling up landfills and using valuable space.

3) Using less carbon-based fuel should remain a goal, but these fuels are not going away any time soon. It is better to use fuel generated from recycling plastic.

4) Reducing the use of plastic should remain a goal, but the use of plastic increases year over year and this process addresses the waste issue.

Is this a panacea? No. But it is so much better than not doing anything.

I also think it is a great investment. The cost of converting the plastic to fuel is a fraction of what the fuel can be sold for on the open market.

But JBII is going after situations like the one they recently closed with RockTenn. Converting the plastic waste into fuel at the source of the plastic waste generation. RockTenn generates tons of plastic waste daily, and their cardboard recycling process uses a lot of fuel. The fuel generated by the recycled plastic will be used to power their recycling process. Their mountains of plastic waste that has been landfilled will be recovered.

It really is a win-win-win. JBII wins, RockTenn wins, and we all win as a waste problem is addressed.
Mike Jones

The only thing JBII has proven it’s able to do is sell shares. It reeks of a penny stock scam pump and dump. JBII is on the hook for virtually all costs with the Rock-Tenn relationship, just for the good fortune of mining ragger tail mess. When P20 “commenced commercial operations” in 2009 the message board pumpers (who are numerous and vociferous) claimed JBII would go for “low hanging fruit” as feedstock. A supposed 45 site joint venture agreement with a wealthy Florida investor appears to no longer be in the cards, and why? So JBII can focus on processing Rock-Tenn’s landfilled ragger tail?
Jon Goldstein

Please judge this company for yourself at
http://plastic2oil.com

For some reason, there is a large contingent of naysayers who are intent on seeing this company fail.

I have been to the plant and I have seen the process.

I have every reason to believe that the company will be successful. RockTenn’s endorsement supports that belief.

Yes, this is a new company that still has a lot to prove. But they have accomplished a lot in two years. I expect that two years from now they will no longer have to prove anything as they will have demonstrated their claims.
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Is it ok for atmosphere?
Joel

I am also an investor and I have been hearing so many negative things about the JBII’s ability to stay afloat due to trading issues. I do not know enough about the lawsuit and what might happen. Can anyone (perhaps from the company) let me know the REAL status.
Jon Goldstein

Joel,

I am only an investor. I am aware of only a few lawsuits. I do not think any of them will have a significant impact on the company.

There are a couple of lawsuits from ex-employees. There is one lawsuit related to the SEC’s Wells Notice.

My opinion is that all off them will either be dismissed or result in small fines.

Where did you hear that they would have an impact on the stock trading?

I suppose if the SEC Wells Notice were to have a negative ruling from the SEC that went beyond a small fine then that could be an issue. I think the chances of the SEC ruling that the company should stop operating because of a relatively small accounting error are very remote.

Good luck,
Jon