Brightsite Plasmalab: An important step towards sustainable chemistry

The goal is to make chemistry in the Netherlands climate neutral by 2050. The use of green electricity will play a key role. Brightsite has opted to focus on plasma technology, an efficient electrical process for splitting and synthesising molecules. Major sustainability breakthroughs are expected for both plastics manufacture and the generation of clean hydrogen.

Minister Stef Blok (EZK): "The Dutch chemical industry is a major employer and a world leader. Plasma cracking is one of the technologies that can help us to maintain this position. Looking ahead, it will enable us to convert recycled plastic into hydrogen and ethylene, two indispensable raw materials in chemistry and for the energy transition. And all without generating CO2 emissions. This is why the government supports Brightsite’s efforts to turn plasma cracking into a success story."

How does plasma technology work?

Plasma is also known as the fourth state of matter, next to solids, liquids and gases. When a gas is put into a sufficiently strong electric field, a condition arises in which gas particles ionise. This ionised gas consists of gas molecules and reactive particles such as ions, electrons and radicals. This combination of reactive particles enables (new) chemical reactions. At the core of this electric flame, the core of the plasma cloud, the temperature is very high. Molecules can be split and formed very quickly under these conditions. And because a plasma is generated with electrical energy, the process is very sustainable when green electricity is used.