Can you explain depolymerization and what that might mean for packaging?

Ask a Polymer Engineer with Joel Carr.

The concept of depolymerization is a general term which refers to a chemical process of actually transforming polymers or plastic materials into new small molecules, oils and chemicals. The end products of this process can actually be further downstream refined and processed and actually make new chemicals and ideally, new plastic materials. This entire process of depolymerization and recovery and further downstream utilization really speaks to an emerging field in this area known as chemical recycling. The implications for the packaging world are huge if this process can be realized and optimized. This process can potentially offer a route to recycle mixed plastic waste streams which can also be contaminated with foods or residual product into chemicals, oils and gases which can then be used to make virgin clean chemicals and plastics for this area. This would really address contamination concerns for certain packaging applications such as food and medical packaging.

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