Delta has partnered with Oregon-based Agilyx to convert
waste plastics into jet fuel at its Pennsylvania refinery, Monroe Energy.
The facility will refine up to 2,500 barrels of oil per day
by 2020 using synthetic feedstock converted from plastic.
Agilyx, which describes itself as "the leader in
converting waste plastics to fuels and chemicals," said it plans to locate
a production facility near the refinery, which is about 25 miles southwest of
Philadelphia in the town of Trainer.
Agilyx counts Virgin Group founder Richard Branson among its
early investors.
"This is a major step forward in the search for a
cost-effective low-carbon aviation fuel," Branson said in a prepared
statement. "The beauty of the Agilyx process is it will take waste
plastics, which are a major problem for the environment, and turn it into
something useful."
Delta purchased the refinery in 2012 for $150 million, but
the investment has proven to be a difficult one. In September, Delta said it
had engaged Barclays Investment Bank and Jeffries Financial Group to explore
the possibility of bringing in a joint venture partner for the refinery. Delta
said at the time that it planned to invest $120 million during the quarter on
maintenance and refinery improvements.