AMR Future Brief| Innovations in Plastic Recycling Processes to Handle the Rising Plastic Pollution Globally

Over the past few years, plastics have permeated every aspect of human life due to their unique properties including greater durability, versatility, and affordability. However, the convenience of using plastics comes at a steep environmental cost. Plastic pollution extends beyond littered beaches and beyond littered beaches and overflowing landfills. It badly impacts the ecosystem that mankind depends upon. The aftermath of this man-made material has become a major concern which demands both attention and action.??

New approaches for making plastic recycling process more sustainable?

Recycling plastics in the traditional way comprises huge costs and is difficult to process. This is why new recycling technologies are deployed to make the process more efficient and sustainable. Pyrolysis technology has emerged as a new plastic recycling method that uses heat to break down plastic polymers into smaller chains which are condensed and cooled to form oils, waxes, non-condensable gases like propane and ethane. As pyrolysis heats plastic without the presence of oxygen, it does not produce the toxic emissions that would otherwise result from heating plastic.??

Another cutting-edge technology used in plastic recycling is enzymatic recycling. This technology involves special proteins called enzymes to break down plastic waste into smaller building blocks called monomers. In March 2023, Carbios, a French biotech company developed an enzymatic recycling technology that can recover over 95% of material from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the plastic used in various beverage bottles and packaging.??

The technology developed by Carbios utilizes enzymes that break down PET into its building blocks, which can then be used to create new plastic products. The process is better for the environment because it does not require high temperatures or harsh chemicals. Additionally, unlike mechanical recycling, the resulting plastic can be used repeatedly without losing its chemical coherence.??

Why is advanced recycling important for meeting the growing demand for recycled plastics???

Advanced recycling uses the latest technologies to convert used plastics into new products that can be recycled again and again. By offering new processes to turn hard-to-recycle plastics into a reusable resource, advanced recycling helps create a more sustainable economy and a better environment for future generations. Sustainable recycling of plastics is needed now more than ever because plastic packaging is constantly evolving in complexity to meet commercial needs. Advanced recycling processes help recycle commonly used plastics such as snack wrappers, tubes, food pouches, and plastic toys that are difficult to recycle through traditional recycling. Moreover, these innovative recycling processes help manufacture high-functioning, and high-performing grades of plastic for food, medical and various pharmaceutical uses.?

How is Plastic Collective actively tackling plastic pollution??

In January 2024, Plastic Collective, a renowned social enterprise focusing on solving the plastic waste epidemic, received funding from the World Bank for two plastic waste collection and recycling projects in Ghana and Indonesia. This funding is possible through an innovative and transformational sustainable development outcome bond which provides investors a financial return linked to Plastic Waste Collection Credits, Plastic Waste Recycling Credits, and Verified Carbon Units. With this funding, Plastic Collective aims to make the world free from plastic waste by channeling private capital to support plastic collection and recycling projects in remote and vulnerable communities to access sustainable finance and address extreme plastic leakage into nature and oceans.??

Alliances made by key players that have reshaped the industry dynamics??

Several leading industry players have made profitable alliances such as partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. For instance, LyondellBasell Industries, a global leader in developing and supplying materials that enable packaging, health, and transportation solutions announced its acquisition of PreZero, a renowned leader in recycling and waste management services. With this acquisition, LyondellBasell aimed to establish a state-of-the-art mechanical recycling facility in the United States to recycle assets and properties containing rigid plastics. The companies together leased a facility in Jurupa Valley California, exhibiting an impressive production capacity of about 50 million pounds per year for recycled materials.??

Similarly, in November 2023, Borealis, the world's leading provider of advanced and sustainable polyolefin solutions acquired Integra Plastics AD, a global advanced mechanical recycling player based in Bulgaria. Under this acquisition, Borealis envisioned strengthening its ability to deliver advanced mechanical recycling solutions and enable its customers to meet their sustainability targets.???

To sum up, the increase in public awareness about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on ecosystems and human health is expected to reduce plastic consumption and increase recycling utilization of resources in the future. Moreover, the continuous advancements in recycling technology to recover high-quality plastics from mixed waste streams is anticipated to open new possibilities for their use in various applications in the upcoming years.??

To gain more insights into the recyclable plastics industry, feel free to talk to our industry specialists today! You can also directly chat with them here!?

? **?????????????? ????????????: Rosy Behera?

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