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Advancing Plastic Recycling: Wetsus and the Lemplar Project To help advance a crucial part of the circular economy, Wetsus joined forces with leading research and industrial partners in the "Lemplar Project." Over two years, this initiative focused on quantifying the losses and emissions during the mechanical recycling of plastic waste—specifically in the shredding and washing processes. By focusing on PP and PET plastic streams, we identified key areas where target material recovery can be optimised, and environmental impacts minimised. The novelty of our work lies in providing step-specific data on material losses and emissions, paving the way for future improvements in plastic recycling processes. 📝Download the peer-reviewed publication via the post below, and also find more info there! #CircularEconomy #Research #PlasticRecycling #Sustainability #Innovation #Environment  

We are proud to share our latest findings on losses and emissions in polypropylene recycling from household packaging waste in the LEmPlaR consortium project, which are now published in Waste Management. As a part of the research, we mimicked the industrial recycling process of rigid PP packaging using the reprocessing facilities at NTCP. We checked the layout against consulted high-quality industrial installations recyclers in the Netherlands to ensure it our installation closely resembled a real-size process. Using these setups, we performed trials with many sampling points for different intermediate and output streams. This includes product, residue, and water samples. This is not yet common in industry, where often only output streams are sampled. Together with TNO and Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, we developed practical analytical tools to quantify yield, losses, contaminants, and emissions to air, water, and solid waste using existing laboratory techniques. We distinguished air, water, and solid samples for this quantification. You can read the publication here: https://lnkd.in/eTefaCnm. A big thanks goes to our partners Danone, Van Dam Machine, Citeo, HTP GmbH & Co. KG, Lindner Washtech, Sun Chemical, ISPT - Institute for Sustainable Process Technology, and Verpact. This work was supported by TKI Energie en Industrie. More information about LEmPlaR can be found on https://lnkd.in/eG-7u3us

#Chemical VS Mechanical Recycling of PET: #Advantages: Chemical recycling breaks down PET into its monomers, which can be purified and re-polymerized to produce high-quality PET, often equivalent to virgin PET.Enables true closed-loop recycling where PET can be recycled repeatedly without significant loss of quality.It can handle PET waste contaminated with other materials, colors, or additives, which are challenging for mechanical recycling.Further the chemical recycling process has a broader range of PET waste, including colored and opaque PET, which are typically less suitable for mechanical recycling. #Disadvantages: Chemical recycling processes often require significant amounts of energy, making them more expensive and potentially less environmentally friendly than mechanical recycling.The processes involved in chemical recycling are complex and expensive, requiring advanced technology and infrastructure. The use of chemicals in the recycling process can lead to environmental and safety concerns if not managed properly.Currently, chemical recycling technologies are not as widely available or scalable as mechanical recycling. #Mechanical Recycling of PET #Advantages: Mechanical recycling generally requires less energy compared to chemical recycling, making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly in terms of energy consumption.The processes and infrastructure for mechanical recycling are simpler and less expensive compared to chemical recycling.Mechanical recycling is a well-established and widely used method with an existing infrastructure for collection, sorting, and processing. The process of mechanical recycling is straightforward, involving shredding, washing, melting, and remolding PET into new products. #Disadvantages: Each cycle of mechanical recycling can degrade the quality of PET, limiting the number of times the material can be recycled.Mechanical recycling is sensitive to contaminants, such as food residues, dyes, and additives, which can affect the quality of the recycled PET.Primarily effective for clear or lightly colored PET, as colored or multi-layered PET can lead to lower-quality recycled material.Often results in down cycling, where recycled PET is used to make lower-value products rather than high-quality, food-grade PET. Both methods have their roles in the recycling ecosystem, and a combination of both may be necessary to address the full spectrum of PET waste.

𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 We are proud to share our latest findings on losses and emissions in polypropylene recycling from household packaging waste in the LEmPlaR consortium project, which are now published in 'Waste Management'. As a part of the research, the consortium mimicked the industrial recycling process of rigid PP packaging using the reprocessing facilities at Nationaal Testcentrum Circulaire Plastics (NTCP). We checked the layout against consulted high-quality industrial installations recyclers in the Netherlands to ensure it our installation closely resembled a real-size process. Using these setups, we performed trials with many sampling points for different intermediate and output streams. This includes product, residue, and water samples. This is not yet common in industry, where often only output streams are sampled. NTCP, TNO and Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, developed practical analytical tools to quantify yield, losses, contaminants, and emissions to air, water, and solid waste using existing laboratory techniques. They distinguished air, water, and solid samples for this quantification. ➡ You can read the publication here: https://lnkd.in/eTefaCnm.  A big thanks to the researching parties NTCP, Wetsus and TNO and the valuable contributions of the partners Danone, Van Dam Machine, Citeo, HTP GmbH & Co. KG, Lindner Washtech, Sun Chemical, and Verpact. This work was supported by TKI Energie en Industrie. ➡ More information about LEmPlaR can be found on https://lnkd.in/eG-7u3us

♻ An ongoing challenge that #advancedrecycling technology providers and the whole value chain have had has been the need to authenticate waste for chemical recycling #pyrolysis oil, particularly when processing mixed waste. However, as there is currently no #certification process fully established that addresses the composition and quality of plastic waste feedstock, Circular Polymer Resources, Inc have combined forces with AmSpec Group to develop a comprehensive testing and certification process to fully characterise waste plastic feedstock and processing for better yield of recycled #ethylene and #propylene. This article below from Sustainable Plastics explores this further… Green Future Search Limited #advancedrecycling #pyrolysis #certification

Losses and emissions in polypropylene recycling from household packaging waste "In this study we replicated a typical high-quality post-consumer #polypropylene (PP) #recycling process to investigate its losses and emissions and study potential improvements. To our knowledge this is the first time that quantitative measurements on all process steps have been performed instead of an accumulated yield and emissions in water. In the process an overall PP yield of 85 wt% based on pure PP input is achieved. The loss of target material is largest at the two mechanical dryer steps (6.6 wt%) and in the wet grinder combined with friction washers (4.0 wt%). In the process we observed approx. 3.9 wt% of the PP input as #microplastics in the #wastewater before the dissolved air flotation unit which is capable of 97–99 % mass-based removal of microplastics (MPs). Around 330 µg of PP was emitted to air at the mechanical drying step for each kg of input material. This is a very low mass fraction, but considering the particle size distribution the number of particles is vast. This emission can be reduced by using air filters at locations where MPs are generated. To reduce losses and emissions we investigated a few potential process changes. Compared to current practice, positive results were achieved by ensuring that the knives of the wet grinder remain sharp. The mechanical drying process can be improved by lowering the centrifugal speed which reduces the generated microplastics here from 4 wt% to 1 wt% without significantly affecting the moisture content." Hans Kasper, Sander Postema, Marcel van Eijk, Nationaal Testcentrum Circulaire Plastics, NCTP, Heerenveen, the Netherlands; Luke Parker, Elena Höppener, Alexandra Leighton, José Nijman, TNO, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Alex Finnegan, Sam Rutten, Amanda Larasati, André Soares, Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. https://lnkd.in/eccVnWCr

Could the future of plastics be in transforming our everyday waste? In a groundbreaking shift towards sustainability, UBQ Materials is pioneering a revolutionary approach to thermoplastic production. Picture a world where the waste we generate daily becomes the raw material for the plastics of tomorrow. This isn't just recycling; it's a complete transformation. UBQ Materials has developed a unique thermoplastic that could redefine our approach to waste and materials science. By converting household and municipal waste into a durable, versatile thermoplastic, UBQ is tackling two major challenges: reducing landfill waste and offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. This innovation not only has the potential to significantly impact the plastics industry but also contributes to a more sustainable global economy. As we stand on the brink of a new era in materials science, how do you see innovations like UBQ's affecting your industry or daily life? Could this be the key to balancing our material needs with environmental sustainability? #SustainableMaterials #InnovationInRecycling #Thermoplastics #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalImpact

Closing in on Fully Recycled Polyester   FeyeCon successfully achieved the recovery of TPA (terephthalic acid) from recycled PET bottles using our CO2 technology. This recovery process stands out for its reduced reliance on minerals and its ability to facilitate controlled TPA crystals growth; meaning costs effective and purer TPA in comparison to other technologies. Notably, the scalability of this process has been demonstrated at kilogram levels, with rigorous quality assessments confirming the integrity of the recovered TPA.   FeyeCon takes pride in the efficacy of our technology, which once again underscores its second to none capabilities of economically scaling scCO2 processes. The TPA recovered through this process will be utilized directly in re-polymerization efforts, thereby contributing to the increased closure of the recycling loop.   Given PET's status as one of the most utilized polymers, the significance of its recovery process cannot be overstated in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.   FeyeCon credits our partners in the European Enzycle project and emphasis the joined effort with all its members to create this enzymatic process without any hazardous chemicals.

Chemical recycling is seen as a beacon of hope for a high-quality #plastic cycle. It enables the production of new #packaging from #plastic waste without any loss of quality. Dr Alexander Hofmann, head of the Advanced Carbon Conversion Technologies department at #FraunhoferUmsicht, explains the technological status and the hurdles that still need to be overcome before the process can be used on a large scale. Find out more about the innovative approaches and challenges that still need to be overcome before chemical recycling can be used on a large scale. 🚀🔄🌍 #Chemical recycling #Sustainability #Plastic recycling #Fraunhofer #Innovation https://lnkd.in/gps7PF56

Exciting advancements in recycling technology! Chemical engineer George Huber and his team are revolutionizing plastic recycling by harnessing the power of pyrolysis oil. Instead of relying solely on traditional methods, they're exploring innovative ways to integrate pyrolysis oil into the plastics production chain. By leveraging the high olefin content of pyrolysis oil, they aim to reduce carbon emissions and production costs while creating valuable new materials. Plastics recycling using pyrolysis is emerging across the world as a promising solution for managing existing plastics wastes and supporting a more circular economy. Technologies exist today, however contaminants, plastic type mixes and inconsistencies still make this process challenging on an industrial scale. Short- to medium-term successful projects will likely use consistent, non-contaminated single-type plastic waste feedstock and closely integrate with oil-upgrading facilities nearby. Further research on pilot plants will enable more projects to see the light in the challenging contexts of mixed plastics and MSW. #PlasticWaste #PyrolysisOil #Recycling https://zurl.co/u6jE