Recycling of Post-Use Bioprocessing Plastic Containers—Mechanical Recycling Technical Feasibility

Duc-Nam Luu (), Magali Barbaroux, Gaelle Dorez, Katell Mignot, Estelle Doger, Achille Laurent, Jean-Michel Brossard and Claus-Jürgen Maier
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Duc-Nam Luu: Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, LCPI, HESAM Université, 151 boulevard de l’Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
Magali Barbaroux: Sartorius, ZI des Paluds, Avenue de Jouques, 13400 Aubagne, France
Gaelle Dorez: Veolia Recherche & Innovation, Zone Portuaire, 291 Avenue Dreyfous Ducas, 78520 Limay, France
Katell Mignot: Sartorius, ZI des Paluds, Avenue de Jouques, 13400 Aubagne, France
Estelle Doger: Sanofi Pasteur Lyon Carteret, 14 Espace Henry Vallée, 69007 Lyon, France
Achille Laurent: Sanofi, 82, Avenue Raspail, 94250 Gentilly, France
Jean-Michel Brossard: Veolia Recherche & Innovation, Zone Portuaire, 291 Avenue Dreyfous Ducas, 78520 Limay, France
Claus-Jürgen Maier: Sanofi, Industriepark Höchst, 65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-18

Abstract: Most of the plastic-based solutions used in bio-manufacturing are today incinerated after use, even the not “bio-contaminated”. Bioprocessing bags used for media and buffer preparation and storage represent the largest amount today. The aim of this work was to technically assess the feasibility of the mechanical recycling of bioprocessing bags. Materials from different sorting and recycling strategies have been characterized, for their suitability of further use. Quantitative physical and mechanical tests and analysis (FTIR, DSC, TGA, density, MFI, color, tensile, flexural, and Charpy choc) were performed. The data show that these recycled plastics could be oriented towards second use requiring physical properties similar to equivalent virgin materials. A comparative life cycle assessment, based on a theoretical framework, shows that mechanical recycling for end of life presents the advantage of keeping material in the loop, without showing a significant statistical difference compared to incineration with regards to the climate change indicator.

Keywords: mechanical recycling; single-use assembly; bioprocess industry; plastic circularity; life cycle assessment; bioprocessing bags end-of-life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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