Aduro commissions Delphi to conduct analysis of Hydrochemolytic technology

Aduro Clean Technologies Inc., an Ontario-based clean technology company that uses chemical processes to chemically recycle plastic as well as heavy bitumen and renewable oils, has announced that it has engaged Delphi, a Canadian sustainability consulting firm, to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the company's Hydrochemolytic technology for processing scrap plastics.

Delphi is a strategic consulting firm specializing in corporate sustainability, climate change, the green economy and cleantech innovation. Aduro says the LCA represents one step of its process to assess and quantify the environmental performance of its chemical recycling platform. According to the company, the LCA will provide critical data on how to identify and minimize vulnerabilities and energy consumption throughout the process to maximize resource efficiency and reduce operating costs.

The project will begin with a screening-level LCA focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption associated with the operation of the Hydrochemolytic process. Aduro says the screening assessment will support its efforts to align its innovation strategy with the performance expectations of regulators, customers and investors in the circular economy.

Subsequent phases of the agreement will incorporate operational data from the company's next generation process (NGP) pilot plant, which has been under construction. According to the company, the second phase will include a more comprehensive assessment of all relevant life cycle stages, including raw material procurement and downstream product pathways. The final phase will involve comparing the Hydrochemolytic process with other chemical recycling processes.

"We remain focused on our commercial path and are beginning preparations to evaluate the NGP pilot plant for its environmental performance and impact,” Aduro CEO Ofer Vicus says. “Delphi is a highly reputable company and an ideal partner to conduct the [analysis] to evaluate and quantify the performance of the Hydrochemolytic technology and its suitability to support decarbonization. The results of this analysis will provide our stakeholders with a transparent and data-driven assessment of our environmental profile and help position our technology as a viable solution to combat plastic waste."

Stephan Wehr, vice president, climate change, at Delphi, says his company’s goal is to provide a robust, independent assessment of the environmental impacts and benefits of Aduro’s process. 

“The multistage approach provides flexibility and responsiveness to available data while adhering to ASU best practices," he says. "Having previously conducted ASUs on other chemical recycling processes, including pyrolysis, we see this as an important opportunity to highlight the distinct environmental profile of alternative processes such as hydrochemolysis—particularly with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and energy intensity."