Super Pyrolysis Gasoline (SPG): Northeast Innovation Turns Plastic Waste into High-Octane Petrol

Agartala, February 02, 2026: As India accelerates its transition towards E20 petrol blending and periodically enforces bans on plastic products, a significant scientific development from the Northeast suggests that a more effective and integrated solution may already be within reach—one that simultaneously addresses fuel quality, plastic pollution, and long-term economic sustainability.
Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Agartala have demonstrated that common post-consumer plastic waste can be converted into a high-octane gasoline that not only matches but, in several key parameters, outperforms conventional petrol currently sold at fuel stations. The fuel, produced entirely from discarded plastics, delivers higher efficiency, cleaner exhaust emissions, and full compatibility with existing petrol engines, without requiring any modification to vehicles or infrastructure.
India’s E20 petrol programme, which mandates blending 20 per cent ethanol with petrol, is widely promoted as a step towards cleaner mobility and reduced crude oil imports. However, ethanol blending is accompanied by well-documented limitations. These include lower energy density compared to petrol, reduced mileage, concerns over long-term engine compatibility, and increasing pressure on agricultural land and water resources due to the diversion of crops towards fuel production. The fuel developed at NIT Agartala avoids these compromises altogether. Derived from waste plastics rather than crops, it retains the full energy content of petrol and functions as a true drop-in replacement.

The research team processed polyethylene and polypropylene—the most abundant components of household plastic waste—into what they describe as Super Pyrolysis Gasoline (SPG). These plastics, which dominate municipal waste streams and are among the most difficult to recycle mechanically, were converted through a controlled pyrolysis process optimised to maximise gasoline-range hydrocarbons.
Extensive testing revealed that Super Pyrolysis Gasoline (SPG) achieves an octane rating of 103, exceeding both regular and premium petrol currently available in the market. When evaluated in a modern turbocharged petrol engine, the fuel demonstrated smoother combustion, improved thermal efficiency, and reduced fuel consumption compared to commercially available petrol. Researchers observed more stable ignition behaviour and improved performance under varying engine loads.
Crucially, the work did not remain confined to laboratory-scale fuel characterisation. The plastic-derived gasoline was validated under real engine operating conditions, where it consistently delivered superior performance while significantly reducing emissions. Measurements showed reductions of up to 30 per cent in carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter. With sulphur content reduced to nearly zero, the exhaust profile comfortably meets prevailing emission standards and offers clear advantages in terms of air quality.
Raj Chakraborty, one of the researchers involved in the study, noted that although plastic pyrolysis has been explored for decades as a recycling route, its wider adoption has remained limited. He explained that most earlier efforts produced intermediate pyrolysis oils that were not directly usable as transportation fuels. “The absence of an end-user-ready product has been the biggest barrier,” he said. “In many cases, the output requires further upgrading and still fails to integrate seamlessly with existing engines and fuel infrastructure. Our work specifically addresses this gap by delivering a finished gasoline-grade fuel.”

Beyond fuel performance, the implications for plastic waste management are substantial. Despite repeated bans and regulatory measures, plastic waste continues to accumulate in landfills, drainage systems, and water bodies due to enforcement challenges and limited recycling capacity. The NIT Agartala study reframes plastic waste not merely as an environmental burden, but as a recoverable carbon resource. Each litre of Super Pyrolysis Gasoline (SPG) represents plastic diverted from dumping, open burning, or informal disposal and converted into a useful transportation fuel.
Economic viability further strengthens the case. According to the researchers, the estimated production cost of plastic-derived gasoline lies in the range of ₹25–28 per litre, significantly lower than prevailing retail petrol prices. Unlike ethanol blending, which depends on subsidies and agricultural inputs, plastic-to-fuel conversion utilises an existing waste stream that already imposes a financial burden on urban local bodies. This opens the possibility of decentralised waste-to-fuel facilities, particularly in urban and semi-urban regions where plastic waste generation is concentrated.
Punam Das, another member of the research team, emphasised the need to reassess how plastic itself is perceived in public discourse. She pointed out that plastic has been one of the greatest inventions of modern technology, enabling advances across healthcare, transportation, electronics, and daily life. Completely rejecting or banning plastic, she argued, raises deeper questions about how society views technological progress. Given its pervasive role, avoiding plastic altogether is neither practical nor realistic. The real challenge, she said, lies in managing plastic responsibly and closing the loop through effective reuse and conversion.
The research has been carried out by Diptanu Dey, Raj Chakraborty, Punam Das, and Diptanu Das of NIT Agartala, in collaboration with Pronob K. Ghosh, a former alumnus of the institute who is currently based in Bangladesh. Their findings have been published in an international peer-reviewed energy journal following detailed evaluation of fuel chemistry, catalyst stability, engine performance, emissions behaviour, storage stability, and economic feasibility.
Chief scientist of the study, Diptanu Dey, stated that the work has already moved beyond academic validation. He revealed that discussions with the Tripura Pollution Control Board have been underway since 2024 to explore potential pathways for implementing the plastic-to-fuel concept within the state’s waste management framework. These engagements, he said, focus on regulatory feasibility, environmental compliance, and the possibility of pilot-scale deployment aligned with existing waste handling systems.

At a time when India is searching for practical and scalable solutions to both pollution and energy security, the study presents a compelling alternative approach. Rather than treating plastic bans and fuel blending mandates as isolated policy challenges, the research points towards an integrated pathway—one that converts plastic waste into a cleaner, higher-quality petrol while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
From an editorial perspective, if Tripura were to move forward with implementing this method of plastic waste recycling, it would not only address a pressing local environmental challenge but could also set an example for the rest of the country. Such an initiative would demonstrate how technological innovation can move beyond symbolic restrictions and offer a pragmatic route towards a cleaner future, while simultaneously reducing India’s reliance on conventional fossil fuels.
The science, the researchers argue, is already established. What remains is a policy decision—whether India is ready to recognise that some of its most persistent waste may also hold the key to a more sustainable fuel future.

For more information you can visit Super Pyrolysis Gasoline (SPG) Research Paper

The post Super Pyrolysis Gasoline (SPG): Northeast Innovation Turns Plastic Waste into High-Octane Petrol first appeared on HindustanMetro.com.