Reactive Recycling of Polyolefins

Research question

In order to enhance the up-cycling rate of polyolefins (POs) and diminish the share of incineration and landfilled material, the properties of post-consumer POs should be equal or close to those of newly synthesized material. Thermoplastic polymers experience three main phases during their life cycle: (1) compounding and processing, (2) storage and usage and, ideally, (3) reuse and recycling. Each stage has the potential to significantly degrade the polymer backbone, resulting in post-consumer polymers with poor rheological and mechanical properties. One feasible way to improve the properties of post-consumer POs is melt-modification via a reactive extrusion process, which is attractive because it could be readily integrated into existing production lines.
The project will address three main research questions:
1) How does ES-co react with post-consumer POs through reactive extrusion?
2) How does ES-co affect the rheological and mechanical properties of post-consumer POs?
3) Can this technology be used as an in-situ compatibilizer to recycle immiscible mixed polymers such as PO and polycondensates?

Sustainability aspects

This project addresses the the following United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDG):
7) Affordable and Clean Energy, 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and 12) Responsible Consumption and Production.