Depolymerization within a Circular Plastics System

Chemical Reviews, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 124(5), С. 2617 - 2650

Опубликована: Фев. 22, 2024

The societal importance of plastics contrasts with the carelessness which they are disposed. Their superlative properties lead to economic and environmental efficiency, but linearity puts climate, human health, global ecosystems at risk. Recycling is fundamental transitioning this linear model into a more sustainable, circular economy. Among recycling technologies, chemical depolymerization offers route virgin quality recycled plastics, especially when valorizing complex waste streams poorly served by mechanical methods. However, exists in interlinked system end-of-life fates, complementarity each approach key environmental, economic, sustainability. This review explores recent progress made five commercial polymers: poly(ethylene terephthalate), polycarbonates, polyamides, aliphatic polyesters, polyurethanes. Attention paid not only catalytic technologies used enhance efficiencies also interrelationship other systemic constraints imposed Novel polymers, designed for depolymerization, concisely reviewed terms their underlying chemistry potential integration current plastic systems.

Язык: Английский

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Environmental and socio-economic effects of construction and demolition waste recycling in the European Union

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 908, С. 168295 - 168295

Опубликована: Ноя. 4, 2023

The recovery rate of construction and demolition waste (CDW) in the European Union (EU) is at 89 % thus high relative to other streams. However, relatively figure can be misleading because it typically does not correspond high-value material but rather "poor" levels circularity. From a life-cycle perspective, we assess environmental impacts costs 12 CDW fractions relying on alternative pathways treatment technologies. results indicate important trade-offs transition towards circular economy. Indeed, recycling concrete, bricks, gypsum, ceramics tiles represent best performance also most expensive pathway. when shifting from landfill total societal EU are reduced mainly due lower external costs. Overall, with advanced technologies would save about 264 kg CO2-eq t-1 cost 25 EUR t-1. maximum potential for under current technology lead an annual reduction 33 Mt. using 2020 as reference year. highest improving management practices terms improvements concrete bricks. economic non-economic barriers realising this level discussed relation Green Deal EU's economy objectives.

Язык: Английский

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Navigating a net‐zero economy future: Antecedents and consequences of net‐zero economy‐based green innovation

Business Strategy and the Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2024

Abstract The pursuit of net‐zero economy goals and government emphasis on sustainable performance has compelled numerous firms to focus production through the adoption economy‐based green innovation. digital transformation manufacturing systems supply chains, supported by utilization big data economy‐oriented lean practices in presence practices, can converge enhance innovation firms. This convergence leads an improvement competitive advantage net zero‐based performance. To examine aforementioned linkages using a framework based dynamic capabilities view paradigm, time‐lagged design was employed collect from 594 empirical findings indicate that analytics significantly influence Green organizational identity strengthens effect

Язык: Английский

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Towards a better understanding of the cosolvent effect on the low-temperature glycolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Chemical Engineering Journal, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 482, С. 148861 - 148861

Опубликована: Янв. 21, 2024

As the demand of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) increases worldwide along with waste generated from its use, it is urgent to develop cost-efficient and sustainable recycling processes, such as depolymerization that yields monomers virgin-like qualities. However, most these processes require harsh conditions their true mechanisms are poorly understood, leading marginal gains in energy efficiency yield. In spite lack solubility PET, we demonstrate swelling plastification PET a good solvent allows better mass transport ethylene glycol catalyst into polymer during glycolysis. Based on insights, report process which depolymerized bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (BHET) yield 88 % at 65 °C within 1 h presence 1,3-Dioxolane green cosolvent carrier. The improved perform even below Tg polymer. Indeed, by kinetic modelling demonstrated heterogeneous could be easily transformed an homogeneous appropriate selection. environmental impact proposed process, including recovery, compared solvent-free counterpart results demonstrates using 1,3-Dioxolane, carbon footprint newly developed glycolysis can reduced up 20 due increased efficiency. This enables viable strategy repetitive unit, contributing development competitive chemical solutions reduce PET-derived pollution.

Язык: Английский

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Recent advances in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) recycling

Polymers for Advanced Technologies, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 35(1)

Опубликована: Ноя. 2, 2023

Abstract Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) recycling is crucial for mitigating the environmental impact of PVC wastes, which take decades to decompose in landfills. This review examines current state processes, focusing on challenges and future research opportunities. It explores types sources including post‐consumer, industrial, construction wastes. Conventional methods such as mechanical, thermal, chemical are discussed, highlighting their advantages, limitations, successful applications. Furthermore, recent advances recycling, biological, plasma‐assisted, solvent‐based explored, considering potential benefits challenges. The emphasizes European context region has implemented regulatory initiatives collaborations. points out Circular Economy Action Plan directives targeting waste management, have promoted established a supportive framework. Challenges technologies, low yield high energy consumption, identified. calls development efficient cost‐effective along with improvements infrastructure consumer awareness. Assessing economic impacts, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions conserves resources compared virgin production. include job creation reduced raw material costs.

Язык: Английский

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The role of chemical and solvent-based recycling within a sustainable circular economy for plastics

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 906, С. 167586 - 167586

Опубликована: Окт. 5, 2023

Chemical and solvent-based recycling of plastic waste may help overcome some the challenges faced by predominantly applied mechanical techniques. This study quantifies environmental impacts chemical as a function varying process parameters product composition using life cycle assessment. Furthermore, potential benefits on system level are determined. To that end, high-resolution material flow analysis is conducted for reference Switzerland, covering all main types applications. In scenario year 2040, we employ environmentally beneficial where possible convey suitable remaining streams to or processes. Applying complement maximum recycling, instead thermal treatment with energy recovery, achieve reduction in climate change impact ranging from less than 10 % almost 40 %. For achieving high benefits, proper choice configuration crucial. Dissolution depolymerization provide higher relative other processes, but can only treat certain require prior sorting into types. Pyrolysis gasification appeared have ability substantial over incineration if their output products substitute high-impact chemicals provided efficient heat transfer recovery warranted when implemented large scale. As industrial-scale plants still lacking, upscaling achievable practice highly uncertain today.

Язык: Английский

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An LCA answer to the mixed plastics waste dilemma: Energy recovery or chemical recycling?

Waste Management, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 171, С. 662 - 675

Опубликована: Окт. 19, 2023

The study focuses on mixed plastics waste (MPW), whose complex and unpredictable composition (due to high polymer heterogeneity, additives, contaminants) makes its valorisation a true technical, environmental, economic, regulatory challenge. Chemical recycling by means of advanced thermochemical treatments (ATT) could be successful strategy, able support the transition from carbon intensive negative sector, alternative current energy recovery or mechanical downcycling. Some these ATTs provide an efficient valuable resources, such as fuels chemicals, but their role is mainly limited time necessary complete process optimization implement required infrastructures. A reliable identification best alternatives thus crucial. specific LCA approach quantifies environmental performances selected set ATT technologies for resource MPW. It includes plastics-to-energy, combustion gasification; plastics-to-methane plastics-to-hydrogen, plastics-to-oil, thermal pyrolysis. results highlight crucial capture storage (CCS) units, which partially reduces that treatment. performances, particularly Climate Change category, are those MPW-to-hydrogen gasification, followed MPW-to-energy all equipped with CCS. sensitivity analysis considers evolution European mix, characterised larger utilisation renewable sources, highlights corresponding increased sustainability chemical ATTs. This suggests MPW dilemma should definitively solved in close future.

Язык: Английский

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Transforming polypropylene waste into transparent anti-corrosion weather-resistant and anti-bacterial superhydrophobic films

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 466, С. 133597 - 133597

Опубликована: Янв. 23, 2024

The global pollution crisis arising from the accumulation of plastic in landfills and environment necessitates addressing waste issues. Notably, polypropylene (PP) accounts for 20% total holds promise hydrophobic applications realm recycling. Herein, transparent non-transparent superhydrophobic films made PP are reported. A hierarchical structure with protrusions is induced through spin-casting thermally phase separation. had a water contact angle 159° could vary thickness, strength, roughness, hydrophobicity depending on end-user requirements. Bode plot indicated enhanced corrosion resistance films. Antibacterial trials Escherichia coli Staphylococcus aureus microbial solutions showed that film significantly lower rate colony-forming units compared to both surface control blank sample. Moreover, life cycle assessment revealed production resulted 62% embodied energy 34% carbon footprint virgin pellets sourced petroleum. These exhibit distinctiveness their dual functionality as coatings freestanding Unlike conventional require chemical application onto substrate, these can be mechanically applied using adhesive tapes variety surfaces. Overall, effective recycling into versatile not only reduces environmental impact but also paves way more sustainable eco-friendly future. One dealing reimagine it an abundant feedstock valuable products. This work attempts present how industry transform circular sector by providing alternate reusing waste, specifically repurposing multi-purpose Suitable applications, offer weather resistance, self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, antibacterial properties. study promotes greener future mitigating fostering environmentally friendly alternatives.

Язык: Английский

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Mapping Chinese plastic flows from 2001 to 2040 based on dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis and scenario projection

Resources Conservation and Recycling, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 203, С. 107429 - 107429

Опубликована: Янв. 21, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Plastic recycling stripped naked – from circular product to circular industry with recycling cascade

ChemSusChem, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 17(12)

Опубликована: Фев. 20, 2024

Abstract This perspective combines various expertise to develop and analyse the concept of technology cascade for recycling waste plastics with goal displacing as much fossil crude oil possible. It thereby presents archetype technologies their strengths weaknesses. then them in cascades process a representative plastic mix, determines how (fossil) naphtha could be displaced at which energy consumption. The rely on limited number parameters that are fully reported supplementary information were used simple transparent spreadsheet model. calculated results bust several common myths recycling, e. g. by prioritizing here recycled volume over efficiency, circular industry products . unravels cost solvent‐based processes, shows key role gasification possibility displace up 70 % feedstock carbon, rate compares well aluminium, steel or paper. suggests deeper displacement would require exorbitant amount energy. therefore argues need complement use renewable based biomass, defossilise industry.

Язык: Английский

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