PyroGenesis talks up Sparc unit in New Zealand plant

Executive Summary

• PyroGenesis Inc. officially unveiled its patented Sparc plasma-based system at the launch of New Zealand's first national refrigerant destruction facility in the southern hemisphere.
• The company was awarded a contract valued at approximately $6 million to design and build the system, which will permanently destroy hazardous end-of-life synthetic refrigerants (CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs) locally, eliminating the need for offshore transport and incineration.
• The facility, located in Kawerau adjacent to geothermal plants, utilizes renewable energy and PyroGenesis's all-electric steam plasma arc technology to safely destroy up to 100,000 kilograms of refrigerants annually, addressing a combined global warming potential of 220 million kilograms of CO2e.

Key Details

• Contract Value: Approximately $6 million.
• System Technology: Patented all-electric steam plasma arc (Sparc) system; uses inexpensive steam as the plasma-forming gas to generate a hydrolysis reaction.
• Capacity: Designed to safely destroy up to 100,000 kilograms per year of hazardous end-of-life synthetic refrigerants.
• Target Substances: CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), halons, and PFCs.
• Environmental Impact: Addresses gases with a combined global warming potential of 220 million kilograms of CO2e; eliminates stockpiling and offshore shipping to Australia for incineration.
• Location & Energy: Facility is in Kawerau, New Zealand, and is adjacent to geothermal plants, enabling the use of renewable energy for operations.
• Operational Benefits: Significantly reduced operating costs and carbon footprint compared to traditional incineration; no incineration required; cleaner operations.
• Technology Origin: Based on technology platform originally developed for the U.S. Navy and Air Force.

Notable Quotes

• "This plant represents the beginning of a new chapter in advanced environmental stewardship and action on dealing with end-of-life refrigerants in Aotearoa, New Zealand." — Richard Lauder, Chair of the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants.
• "Projects of this kind that advance a cleaner, more sustainable environment while streamlining logistics by reducing the storage and transport of hazardous materials demonstrate how all-electric, plasma-based technology can deliver both environmental benefits and meaningful gains in operational efficiency." — P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis.