Agartala, February 02, 2026: As India pushes ahead with E20 petrol blending and enforces periodic bans on plastic products, a major scientific development from the Northeast suggests that a more effective solution may already be within reach—one that simultaneously addresses fuel quality, plastic pollution, and economic sustainability.
Researchers at National Institute of Technology Agartala (NIT Agartala) have demonstrated that common post-consumer plastic waste can be converted into a high-octane gasoline that not only matches but outperforms conventional petrol currently sold at fuel stations. The fuel, produced entirely from discarded plastics, delivers higher efficiency, cleaner emissions, and full compatibility with existing vehicles.
India’s transition to E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol, is widely presented as a step towards cleaner mobility. However, ethanol blending has well-known limitations, including reduced mileage, lower energy density, concerns over long-term engine compatibility, and increasing pressure on agricultural land and water resources. The fuel developed at NIT Agartala avoids these compromises altogether. It is derived from waste plastics rather than crops, retains the full energy content of petrol, and functions as a direct replacement without requiring any engine modification.
The researchers processed polyethylene and polypropylene—the most common components of household plastic waste—into what they describe as Super Pyrolysis Gasoline (SPG). Extensive testing shows that SPG achieves an octane rating of 103, higher than both regular and premium petrol. When tested in a modern turbocharged petrol engine, the fuel demonstrated smoother combustion, improved thermal efficiency, and reduced fuel consumption compared to commercially available petrol. Crucially, the research did not stop at laboratory analysis. The plastic-derived fuel was validated in real engine conditions, where it consistently delivered better performance while cutting emissions of carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter by up to 30 per cent. With sulphur content reduced to almost zero, the exhaust profile comfortably meets current emission standards.
Beyond fuel performance, the implications for plastic waste management are significant. Despite bans and restrictions, plastic continues to accumulate in landfills, drains, and rivers due to enforcement challenges and limited recycling capacity. This research reframes plastic waste not as an unavoidable pollutant, but as a recoverable carbon resource. Every litre of SPG represents plastic diverted from dumping or burning 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 is around ₹25–28 per litre—substantially lower than prevailing 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 cost on municipalities. This opens up the possibility of decentralised waste-to-fuel facilities, particularly in urban and semi-urban regions.
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 after detailed evaluation of fuel chemistry, catalyst stability, engine performance, emissions, storage behaviour, and economic feasibility.
At a time when India is searching for practical, scalable solutions to both pollution and energy security, this work presents a compelling alternative. Rather than viewing plastic bans and fuel blending mandates as separate challenges, the study points towards an integrated pathway—one that turns plastic waste into a cleaner, higher-quality petrol.
The science, the researchers argue, is already proven. The remaining question is whether policy and industry are ready to recognise that some of the country’s most persistent waste could also be part of its fuel future.
For more information you can visit Super Pyrolysis Gasoline (SPG) Research Paper
