Polyethylene, the most common plastic in the world, is produced by the petrochemical industry over 88 million tons. According to a recent announcement, it has discovered a new way to upcycle polyethylene.
Polyethylene also varies in form. It is used for plastic bags, food packaging, electrical insulation, industrial piping, etc. The story will be different if the production of polyethylene is recovered for recycling in reality, but it is true that going to a waste incinerator that slowly decomposes in landfill or sea or releases toxic chemicals puts a burden on the environment.
However, new research has found a way to accelerate the process of decomposing polyethylene and turn it into alkylaromatics used as surfactants, machine lubricants, and freezers in cosmetics and laundry detergents. The Santa Barbara research team at the University of California, who published the report, said that Alkylaromatics is a global market for $9 billion and has economic value and scale.
Of course, this isn’t the first time a method for decomposing polyethylene has been developed. There are other methods of scientific recycling. However, if the plastic is decomposed by the conventional method, it is necessary to heat it to 500 to 1,000 degrees and add a solvent or hydrogen.
However, with the new method announced this time, it is possible to extract alkylaromatics molecules by heating up to 300 degrees Celsius and using only relatively mild catalysts such as platinum and aluminum oxide without using solvents or hydrogen, or by decomposing plastic polymers more carefully. It will be. The catalyst extracts chemicals by breaking the bonds holding the polymer chain into smaller pieces and ultimately turning the hard plastic into a liquid.
The new process is said to consume much less energy and become cheaper compared to other means of breaking down polyethylene. Plastics can be used not as polluted waste, but as valuable raw materials.
Polyethylene production threatens not only the climate, but also public health through toxic waste. What needs more effort for plastic removal. The research published this time has the potential to help ultimately reduce the amount of waste produced. Related information can be found here .