Analysis of the global market of technologies in the field of collection, sorting and recycling of polymer waste

Abstract

The authors propose a method for evaluating the market of technologies for the collection, sorting and recycling of polymer waste. The novelty of the study is classification of technologies for the collection, sorting and recycling of polymer waste. It is base on the principles of Circular Economy. The authors proposed an algorithm for calculating the specialization index of technologies. A patent search for calculating the specialization index performed based on this classification. The author's method was the analysis of 17 countries at the beginning of 2021. These countries are owners of patents of technologies for the collection, sorting and recycling of polymer waste. The study reveals that the global market of technologies for the collection, sorting and recycling of polymer waste is formed only by 50% of the average level of the specialization index. The leaders in the specialization index are the USA, China and European Union. This evaluation of market allows us to determine the effectiveness of the waste management strategy. The authors offer two options. For countries with high specialization index, we suggest the strategy of differentiation. This strategy is to develop a comprehensive technology of plastic waste management. For countries with a low specialization index, we suggest the strategy of focusing. This strategy is to develop novel technologies on the basis of Circular Economy.