Recycling of Printed Multilayer Plastic Packaging Films by Solvent-Targeted Recovery and Precipitation

Large-scale computational polymer solubility predictions and applications to dissolution-based plastic recycling

“…Our past studies of multilayer plastic packaging materials have demonstrated that computational tools for solubility prediction can be applied to more realistic plastic materials. 11,22,23 We note that the time required for the dissolution of physical mixtures may differ from that of manufactured plastic materials (e.g., multilayer films) that may have components in nanoscale contact, but we focus only on solubility as opposed to dissolution kinetics in this work. In these case studies, we first select solvents and dissolution temperatures for different mixtures and separation sequences based on computational solubility predictions.…”

“…We have demonstrated the recovery of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins from post-industrial waste films via STRAP. 11,22,23 We have previously performed process simulations and lifecycle assessment to demonstrate the environmental benefits of STRAP processes. For example, a STRAP process that recycles PE, EVOH and PET from a multilayer plastic film generates 54% fewer emissions than producing the virgin films.…”

Solvent based dissolution–precipitation of waste polyethylene terephthalate: economic and environmental performance metrics

“…19 del Carmen Munguía-López et al 22 conducted LCA of STRAP process, reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy demand along with other LCA indicators. Sánchez-Rivera et al 23 studied TEA and LCA of STRAP process for post-industrial multi-layer colored lm with polymers recovery via cooling approach. Their study 23 used gamma-valerolactone (GVL) solvent for selectively removing polyurethane (PU)-based ink, but without dissolving PET.…”

“…Their study 23 used gamma-valerolactone (GVL) solvent for selectively removing polyurethane (PU)-based ink, but without dissolving PET. It was concluded that the STRAP process had lower environmental impacts than virgin polymer lms 22,23 and could be economically feasible at a processing capacity higher than 6000 MT per year. 23 Yu et al 24 conducted TEA and LCA of the STRAP process for polypropylene based (PP) disposable face masks with polymer recovery via a cooling approach.…”

“…It was concluded that the STRAP process had lower environmental impacts than virgin polymer lms 22,23 and could be economically feasible at a processing capacity higher than 6000 MT per year. 23 Yu et al 24 conducted TEA and LCA of the STRAP process for polypropylene based (PP) disposable face masks with polymer recovery via a cooling approach. The majority of the abovementioned studies on STRAP processes looked at multi-layer lms containing PET along with other resins such as polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).…”