How a facility turning plastic into jet fuel could solve the UK’s next oil crisis
A pilot facility in Kent is converting non-recyclable plastic waste into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help address both plastic pollution and potential jet fuel shortages. Backed by the UK government and airlines, the technology offers a way to reduce reliance on imported oil, especially during global supply disruptions. The process involves heating plastic waste to create a liquid fuel, which is then purified for use in aviation.
- ▪The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war has disrupted global oil flows and doubled jet fuel prices.
- ▪Clean Planet Technologies estimates that 80% of the UK's 5 million tonnes of annual plastic waste is non-recyclable and ends up in landfills.
- ▪The facility uses heat to chemically convert plastic waste into liquid fuel without burning it, then removes impurities for aviation use.
- ▪Less than 1% of global jet fuel consumption currently comes from sustainable sources.
- ▪The UK facility aims to increase energy self-reliance and support decarbonisation in the aviation sector.
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NewsUKHome NewsHow a facility turning plastic into jet fuel could solve the UK’s next oil crisisAs airlines and travellers feel the effect of global jet fuel shortages, scientists in Kent may have figured out a sustainable solution to the crisisHarriette Boucher Tuesday 28 April 2026 13:14 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2965850","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/plastic-jet-fuel-iran-war-strait-of-hormuz-b2965850.html","title":"How a facility turning plastic into jet fuel could solve the UK’s next oil…
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