Vadodara: The journey towards plastic-derived fuel began in 2016 when Dr Venkat Chintala and his team were working on a Department of Science and Technology-funded project that focused on converting biomass waste such as chir pine needles and lantana camara into useful fuels.Following the success of that initiative, DST encouraged the team to tackle plastic waste. After joining GSV in 2020, Chintala established the Plasto Fuels Research Centre and began experiments using plastic collected from landfill sites, railway stations, locomotive sheds and workshops.Laboratory-scale work gradually expanded into a pilot plant established in 2022 at the railway waste-management site near Vadodara station.Through a patented thermal conversion process, mixed plastic waste is transformed into fuel oil and subsequently upgraded into petrol- and diesel-like fuels.The technology is now moving closer to commercialisation. Researchers are working on improving fuel properties, including reduction of gum content, while extensive endurance testing will be required before the fuel receives regulatory approval for widespread vehicle applications.In recognition of the achievement, Dr Chintala received the Visitor’s Award for Technology Development from President Droupadi Murmu in March 2025.RESEARCHERS AIM FOR THE SKIESHaving demonstrated success on roads, researchers at GSV are now working towards producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from municipal solid waste.The work is being carried out through the Airbus Centre of Excellence established at the university in collaboration with Airbus. Scientists are currently developing specialised catalysts required for aviation fuel production.
Unlike road transport fuels, aviation fuel must satisfy far more stringent safety and performance standards. Researchers are therefore conducting bench-scale tests on a turbojet engine that replicates actual aircraft operating conditions.“Sustainable aviation fuel is among the most promising pathways for reducing emissions from the aviation sector. The challenge is to develop fuel that meets global standards and can be produced economically,” said Dr Venkat Chintala.Researchers expect commercial-scale applications to emerge within two to three years, subject to successful testing and certification.Globally, airlines and aircraft manufacturers are investing heavily in SAF as the industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint. If successful, the Vadodara initiative could place GSV among a select group of institutions working on converting municipal waste into cleaner fuels for both road transport and aviation.Tech to reach Ladakh, Kumbh MelasThe researchers behind GSV’s plastic-to-fuel technology believe its biggest impact may ultimately lie in remote and waste-intensive locations.Leh-Ladakh, Kedarnath and Badrinath are among the locations being explored because they face twin challenges of waste disposal and fuel supply. Every year, tourists, defence establishments and local communities generate substantial quantities of plastic waste in these environmentally sensitive regions.Researchers believe decentralised plastic-to-fuel plants could help convert waste into fuel at the source, reducing transportation costs while simultaneously addressing waste-management concerns.
“We see tremendous potential for decentralised plastic-to-fuel plants in remote regions. Instead of transporting waste hundreds of kilometres, the waste can be converted into fuel at the source and used locally for generators, heating systems and other energy needs,” said Dr Chintala.Apart from Ladakh, discussions are at an advanced stage for establishing similar facilities at a railway locomotive shed in Jhansi and at a military establishment in Kolkata.Researchers also see potential applications at municipal landfill sites, industrial clusters and large religious gatherings such as the Kumbh Mela, where massive quantities of plastic waste are generated within a short period.
