Premium Blue Economy unveils plastic-to-diesel innovation in Nigeria

NIGERIA – Premium Blue Economy Innovations and Investments Limited, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment, has successfully demonstrated a groundbreaking technology that converts plastic waste into ultra-low sulphur diesel.

The initiative marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive toward sustainability, energy innovation, and circular economy advancement.

The demonstration, held in Abuja, showcased Premium Blue Economy’s pyrolysis-based process that transforms non-PET plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, into clean diesel, synthetic gas, and carbon residue.

The system is self-sustaining, with the gas powering the plant and the carbon byproduct finding secondary uses in battery production and soil enrichment.

“We focus on plastics that most recyclers ignore, nylon bags, packaging materials, broken furniture, and household plastics,” explained Mr. Gegele Yahya Olushola, Co-founder and CEO of Premium Blue Economy.

“Through this innovation, we turn waste into usable diesel, clean gas, and industrial-grade carbon. This is not just recycling; it’s reindustrialization.”

A key highlight was a vehicle demonstration powered by the locally produced diesel, which successfully completed a Lagos-to-Abuja drive, validating the fuel’s efficiency and real-world potential.

According to Mr. Fife Banks, Co-founder and COO, the project represents “a model of African ingenuity meeting global sustainability standards,” with immense potential to create jobs, attract green investment, and enhance Nigeria’s energy resilience.

“This is a Nigerian innovation, developed by Nigerians, for Nigerians,” he said.

Representing the Minister of Environment, Engr Dr Bahijjahtu Abubakar, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, praised the initiative for aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and supporting Nigeria’s net-zero target by 2060.

“Plastic waste is not just an environmental nuisance; it is a national challenge. Converting it into diesel demonstrates how science can turn hazards into assets,” she stated.

Industry stakeholders, including the Bank of Industry, the Nigerian Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), and Nature News, commended the development as a model for sustainable industrial transformation.

NPAP’s Femi Idowu-Adegoke described it as “a blueprint for turning waste into wealth,” while Nature News chairman Alhaji Aliu Akoshile hailed it as “historic” for its potential to reduce emissions and create green jobs.

Under the leadership of Gegele Yahya Olushola and Fife Banks, Premium Blue Economy continues to pioneer innovations that merge environmental stewardship with industrial progress, positioning Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s emerging waste-to-energy revolution.

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