Chemical de-polymerization for reuse of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) towards a circular economy

Abstract

Sustainable and effective waste management is very important to address environmental pollution. This is especially the case for plastics as their inherent resistance to breakdown leads to their accumulation the environment. This is the case if the conventional linear economy is practised. The overall aim of this study is to breakdown Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottle products to its monomers so that it can be re-polymerized and used in the same or similar applications. This will lead to reduced use of the virgin reactant, reduce accumulation in the environment and lead to a circular economy. [...]