Cambridge Researchers Turn Car Lead-acid Battery and Plastic Waste into Clean Hydrogen

Published: Apr 9, 2026 14:22

Save

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a solar‑powered reactor that uses acid recovered from spent car batteries to break down hard‑to‑recycle plastics and produce clean hydrogen fuel and valuable chemicals. The novel “solar‑powered acid photoreforming” process could offer a cheaper, more sustainable way to tackle plastic pollution and generate renewable energy

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

22 hours ago

Japan's Waste Disposal Law Amendment: New Metal Resource Control Regulations and Reactions

On April 9, 2026, the Japanese Cabinet officially approved the latest amendment to the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Act (commonly known as the "Waste Cleansing Act"). The core of the amendment is to upgrade metal recycling operations from a notification system to a permit system, and to impose a new obligation requiring confirmation from the Minister of the Environment for scrap metal exports.

22 hours ago

Apr 30, 2026 21:05

【SMM Analysis】 Why Are Chinese Lead-Acid Battery Enterprises Taking More Holidays for the 2026 Labor Day?

【SMM Analysis】 Why Are Chinese Lead-Acid Battery Enterprises Taking More Holidays for the 2026 Labor Day? As the Labor Day holiday approaches at the end of April, SMM conducted a survey on holiday arrangements among lead-acid battery enterprises across 10 provinces in China.

Apr 30, 2026 21:05

Apr 30, 2026 20:59

"Secondary Lead Output Rises in April, Faces May Decline Due to Maintenance and Raw Material Shortages"

In April 2026, China's secondary lead production showed a pattern of MoM rebound and YoY decline. Monthly secondary lead production was up 12.72% MoM and down 24.61% YoY; secondary refined lead production was up 8.7% MoM and down 33.14% YoY significantly.

Apr 30, 2026 20:59