James Muritu, the founder of Progreen Innovations Limited, has developed a technology that converts waste plastic into diesel and petrol-equivalent fuel.
What initially sounded impossible to many people has now become a promising innovation attracting attention from environmentalists, engineers, and investors alike. WATCH VIDEO HERE.
When Muritu first shared the idea, some people dismissed him entirely. Others thought the concept was unrealistic and even mocked him.
“Some people told us we were crazy. Others thought we were abusing drugs because they could not understand how plastic could become fuel,” Muritu recalled in past interviews.
But instead of abandoning the idea, he teamed up with his colleague Michael Nthenge and dedicated countless nights to research, experimentation, and technical study.
The two innovators immersed themselves in scientific literature and eventually discovered that not all plastics are suitable for fuel conversion.
“We came to realize that there are specific types of plastic that can produce quality fuel. Not every plastic will work,” Muritu explained.
Passion for Cleaning the Environment
For Muritu, the project is not just about business or innovation. He says the bigger mission is environmental conservation.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Kenya continues to struggle with plastic waste management despite bans on plastic bags and increased recycling campaigns. Huge amounts of plastic waste still end up in rivers, dumpsites, and urban estates.
Muritu believes his innovation could become part of the long-term solution.
“Our passion is to clean the environment, but not just clean and throw away the plastic. We want to recover value from waste plastic,” he says.
Through Progreen Innovations Limited, Muritu and his team collect waste plastic materials and process them into usable fuel products.
The project is currently operating at pilot phase level, but the early results have already impressed many people.
Muritu says he personally uses the diesel generated from the project to power his own vehicle, while several other users who have tested the fuel have reportedly confirmed that the performance is effective and reliable.
For Muritu, the project is not just about business or innovation. He says the bigger mission is environmental conservation.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Kenya continues to struggle with plastic waste management despite bans on plastic bags and increased recycling campaigns. Huge amounts of plastic waste still end up in rivers, dumpsites, and urban estates.
Muritu believes his innovation could become part of the long-term solution.
“Our passion is to clean the environment, but not just clean and throw away the plastic. We want to recover value from waste plastic,” he says.
Through Progreen Innovations Limited, Muritu and his team collect waste plastic materials and process them into usable fuel products.
The project is currently operating at pilot phase level, but the early results have already impressed many people.
Muritu says he personally uses the diesel generated from the project to power his own vehicle, while several other users who have tested the fuel have reportedly confirmed that the performance is effective and reliable.
From Engineering to Chemistry
Interestingly, Muritu’s professional background was not originally in chemistry.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
He explains that he has spent more than 20 years working in engineering, particularly in software and hardware development across Africa, North America, Europe, and Australia.
His interest in chemical processes only emerged about three years ago during an unrelated project involving aluminium recovery.
At the time, he was experimenting with metal extraction when he accidentally melted plastic and noticed it produced a jelly-like substance.
That moment sparked his curiosity.
Instead of ignoring the strange reaction, he began researching what exactly happens when plastic is heated or broken down.
The deeper he researched, the more he became convinced that plastic waste could potentially be transformed into a valuable energy source.
That curiosity would eventually lead to the birth of Progreen Innovations Limited.
Interestingly, Muritu’s professional background was not originally in chemistry.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
He explains that he has spent more than 20 years working in engineering, particularly in software and hardware development across Africa, North America, Europe, and Australia.
His interest in chemical processes only emerged about three years ago during an unrelated project involving aluminium recovery.
At the time, he was experimenting with metal extraction when he accidentally melted plastic and noticed it produced a jelly-like substance.
That moment sparked his curiosity.
Instead of ignoring the strange reaction, he began researching what exactly happens when plastic is heated or broken down.
The deeper he researched, the more he became convinced that plastic waste could potentially be transformed into a valuable energy source.
That curiosity would eventually lead to the birth of Progreen Innovations Limited.
How the Plastic-to-Fuel Process Works
Muritu’s partner, Michael Nthenge, played a key role in designing and fabricating the machinery used in the project.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
The process begins with the collection and sorting of suitable plastic materials. Since only certain types of plastic can produce high-quality fuel, careful selection is necessary.
The plastic is then shredded into smaller pieces before being washed thoroughly to remove dirt and impurities.
After cleaning, the shredded plastic is transferred into a special reactor chamber where it is heated under controlled temperatures.
The heating process happens in two different cycles.
The first cycle produces a heavy crude-oil-like substance, while the second stage focuses on refining the material into diesel and petrol-equivalent fuels.
The technology essentially uses thermal decomposition to break down plastic molecules into liquid hydrocarbons that can function similarly to conventional fuels.
Funding Challenges and Future Expansion
Like many innovators in Kenya, Muritu says financing remains one of the biggest obstacles facing the project.
He has reportedly used much of his personal savings to keep the innovation alive and operational.
Despite the financial challenges, he has already patented the technology and completed environmental impact assessment requirements through National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Muritu believes that with adequate investment and support, the project could be expanded into multiple towns and cities across Kenya.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Such expansion, he says, would not only help reduce plastic pollution but also create employment opportunities for young people involved in waste collection, sorting, machine operations, and fuel processing.
Additionally, locally produced alternative fuel could potentially lower energy costs for industries and businesses heavily reliant on diesel and petrol.
For now, James Muritu continues refining the project step by step — driven by the belief that one person’s discarded plastic could eventually help power vehicles, industries, and a cleaner future for Kenya.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Muritu’s partner, Michael Nthenge, played a key role in designing and fabricating the machinery used in the project.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
The process begins with the collection and sorting of suitable plastic materials. Since only certain types of plastic can produce high-quality fuel, careful selection is necessary.
The plastic is then shredded into smaller pieces before being washed thoroughly to remove dirt and impurities.
After cleaning, the shredded plastic is transferred into a special reactor chamber where it is heated under controlled temperatures.
The heating process happens in two different cycles.
The first cycle produces a heavy crude-oil-like substance, while the second stage focuses on refining the material into diesel and petrol-equivalent fuels.
The technology essentially uses thermal decomposition to break down plastic molecules into liquid hydrocarbons that can function similarly to conventional fuels.
Funding Challenges and Future Expansion
Like many innovators in Kenya, Muritu says financing remains one of the biggest obstacles facing the project.
He has reportedly used much of his personal savings to keep the innovation alive and operational.
Despite the financial challenges, he has already patented the technology and completed environmental impact assessment requirements through National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Muritu believes that with adequate investment and support, the project could be expanded into multiple towns and cities across Kenya.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
Such expansion, he says, would not only help reduce plastic pollution but also create employment opportunities for young people involved in waste collection, sorting, machine operations, and fuel processing.
Additionally, locally produced alternative fuel could potentially lower energy costs for industries and businesses heavily reliant on diesel and petrol.
For now, James Muritu continues refining the project step by step — driven by the belief that one person’s discarded plastic could eventually help power vehicles, industries, and a cleaner future for Kenya.WATCH VIDEO HERE.
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