Advanced Sustainable Systems,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 8, 2024
Abstract
Polymers
are
applied
extensively
in
the
healthcare
sector
and
enable
a
variety
of
different
applications.
In
addition
to
packaging
personal
protective
equipment,
large
number
medical
devices
also
coated
with
or
consist
polymers.
Today's
medicine
is
therefore
inconceivable
without
these
materials.
However,
huge
challenge
design
polymers
more
sustainable
find
new
possibilities
for
future
This
study
highlights
potential
ways,
how
particular
hospitals
can
be
utilized
circular
manner,
but
indicates
what
risks
challenges
this
entails.
Chemical Engineering Journal,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
495, P. 153223 - 153223
Published: June 25, 2024
Plastics
have
undeniably
played
a
crucial
role
in
the
technological
and
societal
advancements
over
past
decades.
However,
current
linear
consumption
model
reliance
of
plastic
industry
on
fossil
carbon
pose
pressing
environmental
economic
challenges
that
cannot
be
ignored.
In
this
context,
poly(ethylene
terephthalate)
(PET)
has
emerged
as
one
most
studied
plastics
field
chemical
recycling,
given
its
extensive
use
packaging
textiles,
susceptibility
to
undergo
solvolysis
into
constituent
monomers,
which
facilitates
closed-loop
recycling
PET
waste.
This
study
presents
validation
first-of-its-kind
continuous
flow
system
utilizes
subcritical
water
for
neutral
hydrothermal
processing
at
three
different
reaction
temperatures
250,
280
310
°C.
Regardless
conditions,
underwent
full
conversion
monomers
low
molecular
weight
esters
like
mono(2-hydroxyethyl)
terephthalate
(MHET)
bis(2-hydroxyethyl)
(BHET),
with
an
approximate
distribution
20
%
80
between
aqueous
solid
products,
respectively.
The
product
composition
is
strongly
related
77.5
ethylene
glycol
94.2
terephthalic
acid
recovered
Furthermore,
products
were
repolymerized
assess
potential
reusing
heterogeneous
precursor
mixture
starting
material
production.
Results
reveal
obtained
250
°C
yielded
polymer
chains
decomposition
temperature,
melting
crystallinity,
average
(50.4
kDa)
closest
commercial
PET.
These
results
underscore
future
circular
value
chain.
Nature Chemical Engineering,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
1(10), P. 615 - 626
Published: Oct. 10, 2024
A
circular
plastics
economy
can
leverage
the
lightweight,
strong
and
durable
characteristics
of
macromolecular
materials,
while
simultaneously
reducing
negative
environmental
impacts
associated
with
polymer
waste.
Advanced
recycling
technologies
provide
an
opportunity
to
valorize
waste
extend
lifespan
these
materials
by
converting
into
new
monomers,
polymers
or
specialty
chemicals.
Although
many
advanced
appear
promising,
assessments
economic
sustainability
are
often
not
conducted
in
a
standardized
fashion
neglect
factors
such
as
transportation,
sorting
pretreatment.
These
shortcomings
lead
inaccurate
misleading
predictions,
reduce
opportunities
for
optimization
limit
industrial
relevance.
In
this
Review,
we
highlight
select
case
studies
underscore
notable
consequences
underestimating
complexity
real-life
consumer
addition,
current
challenges
assessment
viability
laboratory-scale
processes
explored.
By
discussing
relevant
analysis
frameworks
system
boundaries,
along
potential
analytical
pitfalls,
future
research
will
be
guided
beyond
chemical
considerations
toward
impactful
solutions.
is
end-of-life
option
generation
high-value
products.
This
Review
highlights
importance
developing
holistic
analyses
candidate
technologies,
focus
on
key
parameters,
complexities
infrastructure,
scale-up
considerations,
trade-offs.
Polymer Testing,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
136, P. 108480 - 108480
Published: June 5, 2024
Knowing
the
exact
heavy
metal
load
of
recycled
plastics
is
important
for
their
risk
assessment.
We
therefore
established
a
novel
strategic
hierarchy
testing
plastics.
For
preliminary
screening
unusually
high
elemental
loads,
laser-induced
breakdown
spectroscopy
(LIBS)
suggested,
while
inductively
coupled
plasma-mass
spectrometry
(ICP-MS)
or
electrothermal
atomic
absorption
(ETAAS)
are
used
quantification.
The
contents
ten
regulated
elements
(Hg,
As,
Cd,
Cr,
Co,
Cu,
Se,
Pb,
Sn
and
Ni)
in
post-consumer
(PCR),
post-industrial
(PIR),
virgin
polypropylene
(PP)
were
thus
determined.
Concentrations
PCR
mostly
found
to
be
two
orders
magnitude
smaller
than
threshold
non-food
applications.
Cu
was
most
abundant
with
18.7±6.1
mg/kg.
Concentration
variations
approx.
30
%.
within
batch,
between
batches,
slightly
higher
40
%
observed.
Moreover,
concentration
patterns
PIR
differ
significantly.
This
strategy
may
enhance
applicational
possibilities
PCR.
Polymer Degradation and Stability,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
224, P. 110751 - 110751
Published: March 27, 2024
Solvolytic
depolymerization
of
polyethylene
terephthalate
(PET)
is
a
thermo-chemical
recycling
route
that
valorizes
plastic
waste
by
recovering
monomers
and
chemicals
can
be
reused
for
the
synthesis
new
polymers.
This
study
focuses
on
neutral
hydrolysis
due
to
potential
environmental
economic
benefits
water
as
agent
compared
alternative
organic
solvents.
High-pressure
crucibles
were
used
batch
reactors
in
differential
scanning
calorimetry
(DSC)
perform
real-time
monitoring
thermodynamic
phenomena
taking
place
during
solvolytic
PET
varied
solvent
systems.
melting
point
depression
was
found
main
identified
phenomena,
with
exhibiting
drop
almost
30°C
50°C
monoalcohol
solvents
like
methanol
ethanol.
Moreover,
only
underwent
significant
prior
NaOH
containing
Gas
Chromatography
Mass
Spectrometry
fate
model
additives
contaminants
under
conditions
.
The
uncertainty
concerning
these
foreign
substances
poses
challenge
development
technologies,
methods
here
provided
proved
fast-screening
technique
quantify
conversion
identify
degradation
products
2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)
benzotriazole
UV-stabilizer,
1-(methylamino)
anthraquinone
dye,
contaminant
(R)-(+)-limonene
hydrothermal
conditions.
Waste Management,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
189, P. 300 - 313
Published: Sept. 2, 2024
The
plastic
industry
needs
to
match
the
recycling
goals
set
by
EU.
Next
technological
hurdles,
cost
of
plastics
mechanical
is
an
important
modality
in
this
transition.
This
paper
reveals
how
business
economic
calculation
can
expose
significant
pitfalls
process,
unravelling
limitations
and
boundary
conditions,
such
as
scale.
By
combining
methodology
with
a
Material
Flow
Analysis,
shows
influence
mass
retention
products,
capacity
processing
lines,
scaling
input
capacity,
waste
composition
on
process
associated
costs.
Two
cases
were
investigated:
(i)
Initial
Sorting
medium
size
Recovery
Facility
(ii)
improved
for
flexibles
-
known
Quality
Recycling
Process
consisting
Additional
Improved
Recycling.
Assessing
whole
chain
gives
more
holistic
insight
into
influences
choices
operating
parameters
subsequent
costs
other
parts
results
accurate
recycled
products.
research
concluded
that
110,08-122,53
EUR/t,
while
ranges
from
566,26
EUR/t
rPE
Flex
735,47
rPP
Film,
these
insights
be
used
determine
fair
price
For
it
was
shown
rationalisation
according
identified
reduce
per
tonne
product
15-26%.
