Sita said the waste recovery process is expected to be produced at below the cost of normal diesel and the fuel itself will have a lower carbon footprint than conventional diesel.

“Traditionally, mixed waste plastic has been sent to landfill as no economically viable way of treating it has been developed,” said David Palmer-Jones, Sita UK chief executive. “This announcement means that this can now be given a second life as a sustainable alternative to diesel.”

Cynar chief executive Michael Murray added: “We believe Cynar has found an entrepreneurial partner in Sita UK who can help us ensure that the years of research will be realised in the near future, with vehicles running on plastic-derived diesel.”