A backyard plant in Asesewa that melts plastic waste into fuel fell short in mobile lab tests, though the NPA says it wants to support the inventor.

Published 10 Nov 2026, 19:33 GMT

2 min read

An NPA official tests fuel samples beside Michael Adaesame’s plastic-to-fuel plant in Asesewa — NPA inspection of the Asesewa plastic-to-fuel plant

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A homemade plant in Asesewa that melts discarded plastic bags into liquids resembling petrol and diesel has failed initial quality tests by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), though the regulator says it wants to help refine the invention.

Using a perforated metal barrel, vertical condensation pipes and heat, Adaesame cooks plastic waste into a thick grease-like substance before separating the vapour into lighter and heavier liquids.

"So he managed to get a barrel, perforated the top, and placed the rubbers inside," an explanation during the demonstration noted, adding: "The higher the heat, the lighter the product."

Neither sample met the technical specifications required for motor vehicles, prompting officials to issue fuel safety warnings advising motorists in the area not to pour the unrefined liquid into their tanks.

Instead of shutting the experiment down, the team took extra samples to Accra for full laboratory analysis and praised Adaesame's effort to turn plastic litter into useful energy.

"Our Chief Executive would welcome that idea wholeheartedly," a member of the delegation said. "We are here because he sent us to come and verify what is on the ground, and then give him feedback."

"So we will go back and give him our report, then we will take it up from there," the official added.

While Ghana continues to rely on government fuel-price interventions and imported products, the delegation noted that Adaesame was driven by environmental curiosity rather than profit.

"He is not doing it for business, he is not doing it for the market, and he has no hidden motives for engaging in this production," the team said.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

Viral Asesewa plastic-to-fuel plant fails first NPA tests, but regulators offer help

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