The Problem:
Polyurethane is a versatile polymer used for applications in industries such as footwear, construction materials, and many other products. Polyester, another synthetic material, is commonly used in textiles, packaging, electronics, and other industrial uses. Both of these plastics can end up as landfill waste, release harmful chemicals into soil or water, and pose a threat to marine life or human health when microplastics enter the food chain. While polyesters are more commonly recycled due to properties allowing the material to be reprocessed, conventional mechanical and chemical recycling methods only allow for the downcycling polyurethane into less useful materials.
The Solution:
Researchers at the University of Alabama have developed a chemical method to recycle polyesters and polyurethanes into small molecules. Crucially, the process does not require the use of a solvent or catalyst making its implementation simpler and more eco-friendly. This method results in an easy-to-handle liquid slurry that enables the recovery of these small molecules. These small molecules can then be recycled in order to form new plastic polymers advancing circular economy practices.
Benefits: