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Unlike the mechanical processes used in conventional plastic recycling, pyrolysis uses high temperatures and powerful catalysts to chemically transform plastic waste into high-value materials. A joint study by the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and the A*STAR Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy & Environment (ISCE2) explored the use of catalytic compounds sourced from incineration fly ash (IFA), a byproduct from municipal waste incinerators that typically ends up in landfills. “Calcium hydroxychloride (CaClOH) promotes the formation of positively-charged intermediates during pyrolysis, reducing the odds of chemical crosslinking that would normally result in waxes, and increasing the production of low-weight liquid hydrocarbons, which can be useful as fuels, solvents and chemical precursors,” explained Jason Y. C. Lim, Group Leader of IMRE’s Sustainable Supramolecular Materials Lab. Building on the success of their work, the researchers are continuing to look into other classes of catalysts for plastic upcycling. Link in the comments section for today’s #throwback feature👇 --- #scicomm #science #technology #STEM #research #innovation #ASTAR #USS #IMRE #ISCE2 #materialscience #wastemanagement #plasticwaste #sustainability #pyrolysis #ThrowbackThursday

🌱 Work with Engineering Polymers? How do you face the Dilemma? ESG and the Engineering Polymers. For those of us in the engineering polymers industry, reconciling sustainability with performance demands is no easy task. While polymers are central to breakthroughs in sectors like automotive, renewable energy, agriculture, and healthcare, they bring significant environmental challenges that can’t be ignored. We face a pressing question: How do we align with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles while maintaining innovation and competitiveness? Here’s where the challenge lies: Environmental Impact: Shifting toward recycling, reducing carbon footprints, and investing in bio-based alternatives while ensuring quality and durability. Social Responsibility: Building trust through community engagement and ethical practices across the supply chain. Governance: Setting clear, measurable goals and ensuring transparency to stakeholders. Some Israeli companies are already making strides: #ubq-materials: Turning household waste into a sustainable thermoplastic, replacing conventional plastics across industries. #tamagroup: Pioneering recyclable agricultural packaging that supports global circular economy goals. #Kafrit Group: Innovating polymer solutions that prioritize recyclability, energy efficiency, and sustainable product development. These examples show it’s possible to be both innovative and sustainable—but it’s not easy. 💬 What do you think? Can the polymers industry evolve fast enough to meet ESG expectations, or is more bold action needed? Let’s hear your perspective! #ESG #Sustainability #EngineeringPolymers #Innovation #Recycling #GreenFuture #Technology #PolymersInnovation #ESGLeadership

🌍 Can iron electrocatalysis transform plastics recycling and hydrogen production? 🔑 #PlasticsRecycling #Electrocatalysis #GreenHydrogen #Sustainability #ChemicalIndustry #Innovation #Germany #Göttingen. 🧪 A team led by Lutz Ackermann at the Friedrich Wöhler Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry in Göttingen (Germany) has developed an electrocatalytic method for the efficient degradation of polystyrenes. This process produces monomeric benzoyl products and some short polymer chains that can be used as starting materials for chemical processes. ⚙️ The key to this success is a powerful iron-based catalyst that is non-toxic, inexpensive and easy to obtain. During the electrocatalytic reaction, the iron compound undergoes different oxidation stages, resulting in the cleavage of the carbon-carbon bonds in the polymer chain, producing benzoic acid and benzaldehyde. This process, powered by electricity from solar panels, also produces hydrogen as a byproduct, combining efficient plastic recycling with green hydrogen production. 🤔 Let's reflect: how do you think this technology will impact plastics recycling and hydrogen production? What other benefits could it bring to the environment and the chemical industry? Share your ideas and comments! More info: https://bit.ly/4fxRnY8 .

Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to unlock sustainable success in the plastics supply chain! 💪 Join us at this year's Plastics Live conference, where you'll gain unique actionable strategies and real-life insights. Enhance your competitiveness and make a positive impact—this is a privilege you don't want to miss! 🍃 We are excited to present a topic of utmost importance - Flame Retardants: A Changing Landscape. This is a crucial area that is shaping the future of our industry. 🔥  #PlasticsLive #sustainability #supplychain #plasticsindustry #actionablestrategies #FlameRetardants #industryinsights

How is the European market for Fiber-Reinforced Plastics / Composites developing? The AVK's recent Report on the European market for Fiber-Reinforced Plastics and Compositesoffers a nuanced perspective on composite market trends, challenges, and opportunities in 2023. Despite recent fluctuations, composites remain pivotal across sectors like construction, mobility, and more. To read more and access the full report visit our website at: https://lnkd.in/dDfXRdY2 #innovation  #sustainablematerials #RECREATEcompositesEU #circularity #circular #sustainability #sustainable #innovation #composites #technology  #horizoneurope

Engineers in the US have developed a new microwave-based technique for recycling polypropylene, an abundant plastic with a recovery rate today of just one per cent. According to the West Virginia University (WVU) team behind the technology, the method relies on microwave radiation to heat an intermediary ‘catalyst’ material, which then transfers the heat to the polypropylene waste. Rather than breaking the material down into tiny pieces, the process converts polypropylene back into propylene, which can be reused in new plastics or other products. “Currently polypropylene has a notably low recovery rate of only one per cent, meaning 99 per cent of polypropylene products become garbage,” said research lead Yuxin Wang, WVU chemical engineer and assistant professor at the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. “We want to change that by using microwave irradiation to recover propylene from polypropylene.” Learn more here 👇 https://lnkd.in/euFwMqp3 #theengineer #recycling #polypropylene #plastic

🌍🔬 Pausefika news: Plastics and Game-Changing Innovations 🔬 ♻ 🥤 For those of you who follow me here on LinkedIn, you already know that plastics—particularly polyolefins like polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE)—are one of my specialties (a hat tip to Olivier Descheemaeker and Henrikke Baumann). So when I came across this fascinating new research from Richard J Conk, Jules Stahler, Jake Shi, Ji Yang, Natalie Lefton, John Brunn, Alex Bell and John Hartwig at the University of California, Berkeley, I had to share it! see: https://lnkd.in/dw2-sFAn 💡 The Problem: Our planet is suffocating under plastics. Polypropylene and polyethylene, found in everything from food packaging to plastic bags, are notoriously difficult to recycle. Worse, their traditional recycling methods produce large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. 🔄 The Breakthrough: the researchers have developed a catalyst-driven process that breaks down polyolefins into propylene and isobutylene—gases that can be reused to create new plastics. What makes this even more impressive? This method works on both PP and PE simultaneously—a first for the industry! Are your reading this SABIC or Borealis? 👷♂️ The Process: Using sodium on alumina and tungsten oxide on silica, the team successfully broke down these tough polymers. Even better, the process holds up when plastics are mixed, making it a promising solution for real-world applications. 📈 The Future: If scaled, this method could significantly reduce the need for fossil fuels in plastic production, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and easing the pressure on our recycling systems. Read more about the research in Science here: https://lnkd.in/dVD4scMR or in this article: https://lnkd.in/dtbGhHME , and let’s connect with PE and PP experts on Pausefika! 💬♻️ #Sustainability #PlasticWaste #Innovation #Polyolefins #Recycling #CircularEconomy #GreenFuture

This #CBEresearch supports the goals of the CBE JU-funded VIBES Project 2021-2025, which searches for solutions to end-of-life issues for thermoset composites through #green technologies. The article explores modifications that enhance the #recyclability and #reprocessability of thermoset structures. Key findings include: - Integrating functional groups into epoxy resins to enhance performance and recyclability - Adaptations in curing - Stoichiometry amid balancing - Analysis of external conditions on temperature and recycling potential Read the article 👉 https://lnkd.in/dQHV448f

EcoCarbon Innovations, Inc., "ECI" is developping EcoSOL rCB Multi™ sustainable materials recovered from end-of-life tires. EcoCarbon Innovations, Inc., manufacturing process emits 85% less greenhouse gases than virgin carbon black production.Shipping globally. Samples available upon request. For more information contact us at 719-475-9919 or 719-200-2021 Please follow EcoCarbon Innovations, Inc on LinkedIn #carbonblack #circulareconomy #circularity #commercialroofing #consulting #compounds #epdm #epdmrubber #globalrecyclingday #masterbatch #masterbatches #news #plastics #plasticsindustry #Polymer #polymers #PolymerCluster #PolymerIndustry #polymerscience #pyrolysis #recycled #recycledmaterials #rcb #reclaimed #recycling #recyclingindustry #recover #reduce #refuse #reuse #reusereducerecycle #recycle #recycled #recycledmaterials #recoveredcarbonblack #roofing #sbr #sustainability #sustainablefutures #technology #technologynews #technologysolutions #technologytrends #tire #tireindustry #tires #tyre #tyres #tyrecompanies #tyretrends #tyrerecycling #sustainablefuture #sustainablefutures