Oak Ridge Lab Converts Polyethylene into Gasoline and Diesel Using Molten Salts

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have unveiled a straightforward method to transform polyethylene—common in shopping bags and cutting boards—into gasoline and diesel‑like fuels. The technique employs inexpensive aluminum‑based molten salts to cleave long plastic chains into smaller hydrocarbons. Under relatively mild conditions, the process yields roughly 60% gasoline, with the remainder forming diesel‑grade products. The approach sidesteps the high temperatures and complex catalysts that typically characterize plastic-to-fuel conversion, potentially lowering energy input and cost. By turning a ubiquitous waste stream into usable fuels, the method could reduce landfill volumes and provide a renewable source of transportation energy. The research demonstrates a scalable pathway that aligns with circular economy goals and could influence future waste‑to‑energy policies.