Applications and Future of Recycling and Recycled Plastics

Abstract

The plastic recycling sector in its transition to the Circular Economy model is facing numerous challenges such as multilayer films recovering, flexible plastics, low-quality recyclates, consumers safety, and bioplastics, among others. The demand for high quality recycled products is expected to increase due to social pressure and new legislation, especially in the EU. Nevertheless, conventional recy- cling processes are not able to meet the quality requirements of more demanding applications intended to become in direct contact with the consumer. Therefore, new recycling technologies must be implemented to ensure the recovery of more challenging materials (for instance, multilayer films) and to maintain the quality of recycled products at a high level. Some innovative technologies that are being developed are delamination of multilayer films in a water-based solution, removal of undesired odours by steam stripping, and removal of less volatile contaminants using a water-soluble heavy solvent. High quality recycled pellets will be used in high added value applications usually in direct contact with the consumer such as cosmetics packaging, personal care products packaging, toys, kitchenware, car inte- rior parts, etc. In this way, the highest environmental benefits will be produced, and the plastics sector will be more circular