IS 19880: 2026

Control of Air Pollution from Plastic Waste Pyrolysis — Code of Practice

This Indian Standard provides guidance on controlling air pollution generated during the pyrolysis of plastic waste, a thermochemical process that decomposes long-chain polymers into pyrolysis oil, syngas and char in an oxygen-free environment above 400 °C. It identifies the pollutants released — particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and trace amounts of dioxins/furans and heavy metals — and explains how emission profiles vary with the type of plastic feedstock used, such as PVC, PP/PE and PS.

This prescribes pollutant-specific control measures: baghouse filters, cyclone separators and electrostatic precipitators for particulate matter; catalytic pyrolysis and process optimization to limit VOCs; dry sorbent injection and wet scrubbers for sulphur oxides and hydrogen chloride; staged pyrolysis with selective catalytic/non-catalytic reduction for nitrogen oxides; and activated carbon injection or catalytic destruction systems for dioxins and furans. Additional measures address carbon monoxide, PAHs, heavy metals, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia, along with recirculation of excess syngas, controlled flaring and sealing of fugitive emission sources.

It further recommends operating and monitoring practices, including feedstock segregation, utilization of char and pyrolysis oil, installation of continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS), maintenance of key parameters such as temperature and residence time, and mass/energy balance documentation.

Last Updated on September 7, 2026