Pyrolysis Oil Series: Deeper dive into Pyrolysis Oils and their potential uses

In this episode of Assurance in Action, we continue our Pyrolysis Oil series with a deeper dive into the expanding possibilities of Py-Oil.

Join our expert Liam Mills, Sustainable Hydrocarbon Specialist at Intertek Caleb Brett, as he explores how waste plastics, tires, and biomass are being transformed into valuable low-carbon fuels.

From chemical recycling to sustainable aviation fuel and marine decarbonization—discover how Py-Oil is helping reshape waste into renewable opportunity.

🎧 Listen in and uncover the science driving circular innovation in fuels.

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Transcript

Refaya Zaman Priya [Host]: 

Hello and welcome back to Assurance in Action, the podcast where we explore the innovations shaping the future of sustainability, safety, and quality. 

I’m your host, Refaya Zaman Priya, Social Media Marketing Manager for Intertek Business Assurance and Caleb Brett. 

In today’s episode, we’re continuing our deep dive into the world of Pyrolysis Oil—a topic that’s gaining global attention as industries look for circular, sustainable fuel solutions. 

Joining us once again is Liam Mills, Sustainable Hydrocarbon Specialist at Intertek Caleb Brett. 

In this second installment, Liam will guide us through the evolving uses of Py-Oil derived from waste plastics, tyres, and biomass—covering everything from chemical recycling to its exciting potential in jet fuel and marine decarbonization. 

Liam Mills [Guest Expert]: 

Hi Refaya, it’s good to be back. Let’s dive deeper into the potential uses of Pyrolysis Oils and why they’re such an exciting development in the circular economy. 

Starting with waste plastics: 

Recycling plastics back into plastics is key—but not all plastic materials can be mechanically recycled. That’s where chemical recycling, specifically pyrolysis, comes in. 

Currently, most of these materials end up in incineration, often in energy-from-waste plants. But a more sustainable route is to convert these Pyrolysis Oils into new plastics—by upgrading them into naphtha and feeding them into a refinery cracker. 

They can also be classified as recycled carbon fuels, replacing crude oil in fuel production. While this results in CO₂ emissions, it displaces emissions from virgin fossil sources. 

Now, let’s talk about tyres: 

Tyres are a major challenge to dispose of. Like plastics, they’re often incinerated. But chemical recycling offers a smarter path. 

• Steel bands inside tyres can be removed and reused. 

• Carbon black, surprisingly the second most polluting material after CO₂, can be captured and reused in tyres—reducing environmental impact. 

• And then there’s Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO)—which contains biogenic elements from natural rubber, making it a valuable feedstock for sustainable fuels. 

There are exciting developments underway: 

• Some refineries already use TPO to produce gasoline and diesel. 

• Research is also looking at qualifying TPO for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

• There’s even interest in blending crude TPO into marine fuels to help decarbonize shipping. 

Finally, biomass pyrolysis oil: 

Pyrolyzing biomass waste, like sawdust or agricultural residues, might not seem obvious—but these are materials we already discard. 

Through pyrolysis, we can turn this lignocellulosic waste into hydrocarbon liquids—which can be processed into biofuels. 

Some regions already sell road-grade fuels derived from this method. 

However, the resulting fuels are often chemically different from fossil fuels, especially when it comes to jet fuel, which requires a very specific composition. 

So, while the potential is real, more work is needed to unlock these materials for aviation. 

That wraps up today’s deeper dive into the expanding role of pyrolysis oils. Back to you, Refaya. 

Refaya Zaman Priya [Host]: 

Thank you, Liam, for that fascinating breakdown of how pyrolysis oil is helping reshape waste into renewable opportunity—whether it’s plastics returning as plastics, tyres transforming into jet fuel, or biomass powering the road ahead. 

We hope you enjoyed this episode and gained new insights into how Py-Oil is fueling a more sustainable future. For more information or to get in touch with our expert, visit our website at www.intertek.com/petroleum/pyrolysis-oil-testing/ or email at cb.marketing@intertek.com 

Stay tuned for more episodes in this series as we continue unpacking the innovations, science, and sustainability strategies driving progress in energy and fuels. 

Until next time!