The innovative Kurata Systems Process represents an alternative production method of high added value fuels from residues such as plastics, used industrial oil and refinery residue. We do something extraordinary which is to take the world problematic waste and we turn it into something of value: we provide a technology for transformation.
THE NEED UNDERLYING THE OPPORTUNITY: The growing demand for less expensive, alternative fuel products makes it an ideal end-of-life option for wastes. The Business opportunity is attractive and the benefits presented by the Kurata technology are two-fold: transforming non-recycled waste into a valuable commodity, and creating a reliable source of alternative fuel from an abundant, low-cost feedstock.
• Alternative Fuel Source Opportunity: Based on the latest EUROSTAT information, crude oil production in EU reached 1.05 billion barrels in 2014, which corresponded to 4.0% of world oil production. The gross inland consumption of oil in EU that year was 4.78 billion barrels. Hence in 2014, 78% of the oil consumption in EU was met by imports, mostly from the OPEC (40.3%), followed by Russia (24.8%) and Norway (22.0%). This dependency will increase steadily in the future.
European oil production is predicted to decline at an annual rate of 2.1% on average during the period to 2030, while oil consumption will continue to increase, although slowly, at a rate of 0.2%. Overall, the dependency of the EU on oil imports will gradually rise to 87% in 2030. The Kurata Systems Process represents a source of locally generated fuel reducing the external dependence of oil consumption.
• Waste Management Opportunity: In Europe, we currently use 16 tons of consumables per person per year, of which 6 tons become waste. Although the management of waste continues to improve in the EU, the European economy currently still loses a significant amount of potential “secondary raw materials”. Waste is not only an environmental problem, but also an economic loss. Turning waste into a resource is one key to a circular economy. Kurata Systems works to solve the problem of waste accumulation and landfilling, reducing the need for incineration, actively helping the improvement of environment and reducing the global emissions. Our technology offers an alternative that is environmentally friendly while producing local high quality fuels.
THE SOLUTION PROPOSED TO EMBRACE THIS OPPORTUNITY: The Kurata Process is a disruptive new method to transform different waste materials into a high added value product as diesel. The implementation of Kurata technology has been carried out in our 1st pre-industrial scale Cardiles Oil pilot-plant. The pilot-plant allowed us to test the viability of the Kurata Process at a small scale. We obtained Diesel and other fuels in the range of medium crude oil distillates that meet the legislation specifications.
