Turning Plastic Waste into Fuel: A Step Towards a Sustainable Future

Dr. Manish Shetty is pioneering a novel approach to tackling the global issue of plastic waste and its associated environmental impacts, such as global warming and ecosystem disruption. His research focuses on using **catalysts** in conjunction with **green hydrogen** to break down **condensation polymers** – a type of plastic that includes PET bottles, packaging, and textiles – into **aromatic compounds** that can be used as fuels. This is achieved by using **liquid organic hydrogen carriers** that serve dual purposes: acting as solvents to break down the plastics and as hydrogen sources to facilitate this breakdown into usable energy forms, specifically **p-xylene**. This research is part of a broader strategy to make **green hydrogen** more available for waste management, transforming how we handle urban waste and contributing to the sustainability of the chemical industry. The potential to shift economies away from fossil fuels towards hydrogen-based energy highlights the broader implications of Shetty's work, which could mark a significant step forward in both waste management and energy production.