E-waste is the world’s fastest growing and most valuable waste stream. An estimated $62.5 billion USD worth of precious metals from electronics are landfilled and incinerated annually while less than 20 percent of the world’s e-waste is captured through formal recycling channels. This TECH report provides insight into the technological, economic, and market dynamics of the formal electronic recycling industry. This report also examines the status and trajectory of electronic recycling across each continent and the key policies and initiatives shaping the future of e-waste. An economic model for a standard industrial e-waste recycling plant in the United States is also provided.

The process technologies and production economics for high density polyethylene (HDPE) are presented. Ziegler slurry, slurry loop, gas phase, and solution processes from all major technology holders are reviewed. Cost of production estimates have been developed on a USGC, China, and Middle East basis. Demand by end use, capacity, and supply/demand/trade data is provided on a global basis and for North America, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World.

Traditionally hydrogen is generated from fossil feedstock and processes that emit significant amounts of CO2. In comparison, renewable or green hydrogen production results in materially lower emissions. Green hydrogen holds significant potential and interest for decarbonization of sectors that have previously been difficult to decarbonize. This includes both existing applications (e.g., refining, feedstock for chemicals) as well as emerging applications (e.g., e-methanol, e-ammonia, e-SAF), as well as potential in direct use for carbon emission free combustion. Growing interest in low carbon intensity hydrogen has stemmed from mounting net zero pledges and decarbonization goals, and an increasing focus on the energy transition. Production options explored several global regions and technologies covering thermochemical (biomass gasification), bio-methane reforming, electrolysis, and other advanced pathways from a technical, economic (cost of production model), and capacity level. A discussion of implications for the conventional technologies is also included.

This report offers a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of newly commercial and emerging methane pyrolysis technologies for the production of “turquoise” hydrogen, which can be produced from both fossil and renewable methane sources and produces a carbon byproduct that can be sequestered or displace existing fossil products. Technologies including thermal plasma, uncatalyzed pyrolysis, catalytic pyrolysis, molten metal/molten salt, and non-thermal plasma are covered, and key players within each major route have their technical maturity and processes profiled. Process economics are also provided for thermal plasma processes. The report also includes an analysis of turquoise hydrogen in the context of other low-carbon hydrogen routes.