Despite the benefits of plastic packaging, there is rising concern for the environment due to its high production volume, often short usage time, and problems related to waste management and littering. Over 90% of plastic waste ends up in a landfill, incinerators, or oceans. Mechanical recycling technologies are one possible solution to managing plastic waste, yet polyethylene remains a major recycling challenge. Most chemical recycling technologies focus on depolymerizing commodity plastics back into their original monomers. However, what if the carbon rich backbone of polyethylene can be broken down to make more valuable and versatile monomers than ethylene? This is our vision at <i>BioCellection Inc</i>. We have developed an Accelerated Thermal Oxidative Decomposition (ATOD<sup>TM</sup>) process where polyethylene is rapidly oxidized into lower molecular weight species with oxygenated functionalities. These valuable organic compounds are harvested, purified, and used to make new polymer products. This talk will cover how we are using chemical building blocks from decomposed polyethylene to create new, high-performing polymers. One such material is our thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers that contain unique backbone functionalities and up to 45% recycled monomer content. The polymers of focus are synthesized using solvent free techniques and designed to be 100% recyclable.

Building from waste: Using monomeric building blocks from decomposed polyethylene to make new polymers

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.