Catalytic Recycling of Plastic Polymers

  Illustration of Plastic Polymer Recycling Copyright: © ITMC RWTH

Publications:

S. Westhues, J. Idel, J. Klankermayer, Science Advances, 2018. LINK

K. Beydoun, J. Klankermayer, ChemSusChem, 2020. LINK

 

Hydrogenolysis depolymerization of waste polyesters and polycarbonates

S. Westhues, J. Idel, J. Klankermayer, Science Advances, 2018. LINK

The development of ruthenium-triphos adapted systems enables the effective and selective hydrogendepolymerization of waste polyesters/polycarbonates to the respective value-added diols, enabling a recycling concept within the circular economy vision. The application of this catalytic system on a larger scale depolymerization revealed the tolerance of the catalyst toward various polymer additives. Moreover, the employment of the tailored catalytic system in a consecutive transformation/separation of polymer mixtures is also achieved.

  Reaction scheme for the recycling of PLA Copyright: © ITMC RWTH Hydrogenolysis of selected polyesters and polycarbonate consumer products  

Recycling of polyacetal waste polymers into value-added chemical products

K. Beydoun, J. Klankermayer, ChemSusChem, 2020. LINK

An efficient and sustainable approach for the recycling of polyoxymethylene plastic polymers is developed. This approach integrates a combined catalytic processing of polymer waste and biomass derived diols to produce value-added cyclic acetals, which can function as solvents, fuel additives, pharmaceutical intermediates, and monomeric materials for polymerization reactions.

  Illustration of Polyacetal Plastic Recycling Copyright: © ITMC RWTH Catalytic Recycling of polyacetal waste polymers into value-added chemical products