Mechanical Recycling of Thermoplastics: A Review of Key Issues

Alae Lamtai, Said Elkoun (), Mathieu Robert, Frej Mighri and Carl Diez
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Alae Lamtai: Center for Innovation in Technological Eco-Design (CITE), University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K2R1, Canada
Said Elkoun: Center for Innovation in Technological Eco-Design (CITE), University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K2R1, Canada
Mathieu Robert: Center for Innovation in Technological Eco-Design (CITE), University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K2R1, Canada
Frej Mighri: Research Center for High Performance Polymer and Composite Systems, CREPEC, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada
Carl Diez: SOLENO Inc., 1160 QC-133, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J2X 4B6, Canada

Waste, 2023, vol. 1, issue 4, 1-24

Abstract: During the last decade, the consumption of plastics has increased highly in parallel with plastic waste. The transition towards a circular economy is the only way to prevent the environment from landfilling and incineration. This review details the recycling techniques with a focus on mechanical recycling of polymers, which is the most known and developed technique in industries. The different steps of mechanical recycling have been highlighted, starting from sorting technologies to the different decontamination processes. This paper covers degradation mechanisms and ways to improve commodity polymers (Polyolefins), engineering polymers (PET, PA6), and bio-sourced polymers (PLA and PHB).

Keywords: mechanical recycling; sorting technologies; decontamination process; polyolefins; engineering (PET, PA6) and bio-sourced polymer (PLA and PHB) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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