0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Food & Water Sign in to save

Mechanical Properties of Polymers Recovered from Multilayer Food Packaging by Nitric Acid

Sustainability 2024 4 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Agnė Šleiniūtė, Тамарі Мумладзе, Гінтарас Денафас, Vidas Makarevičius, Rita Kriūkienė, Maksim Antonov, Saulius Vasarevičius

Summary

This study examined the delamination and polymer recovery process for multilayer food packaging waste using nitric acid, finding that the recovered polymers retained mechanical properties close to virgin material, supporting the technical feasibility of multilayer packaging recycling.

This study conducted an in-depth examination of the delamination process of multi-layer packaging waste (MLPW) recycling, intending to find an effective solution for recycling MLPW. The recycling process for such materials can be challenging due to the complexity of separating the different layers and components. However, this study proposed using nitric acid to facilitate delamination and recover the polymers from multilayer food packaging—the research aimed to investigate the mechanical properties of the polymers obtained through this recycling method. Our study on polymer materials exposed to chemicals revealed differences in fracture and tensile strengths among three polymers, P1, P2, and P3. P1 showed fluctuating fracture strengths between 5.11 MPa and 3.55 MPa, while P2 maintained a consistent but lower value of around 0.09 MPa. P3 exhibited a wider range from 3.19 MPa to 1.79 MPa. Tensile strength analysis showed P1 averaging 4.99 MPa and P3 3.17 MPa, with P2’s data inconclusive due to its softness. Understanding the mechanical characteristics of recycled polymers is crucial to determine their potential use in different industries, including packaging, construction, or manufacturing, thereby promoting a more environmentally friendly approach to MLPW management.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

A new approach to food packaging, a recycling assessment using in vitro strategies

This study assessed sustainable food packaging materials using in vitro strategies to evaluate recycling potential and microplastic release, within the framework of the European strategy for reducing plastic in packaging. Results provided data on whether recycled packaging materials release microplastics and how circularity approaches affect plastic particle contamination of food.

Article Tier 2

Mechanical recycling of printed flexible plastic packaging: The role of binders and pigments

Researchers investigated how specific ink components, including pigments and binders, affect the quality of mechanically recycled low-density polyethylene flexible packaging. They found that nitrocellulose binder degraded during reprocessing, causing discoloration and releasing potentially odorous compounds, while pigment particles reduced the recycled film's durability. The study highlights that printed inks are a significant barrier to producing high-quality recycled plastic from post-consumer packaging waste.

Article Tier 2

Modification of Poly(lactic acid) by the Plasticization for Application in the Packaging Industry

Researchers investigated the modification of poly(lactic acid) through plasticization to improve its mechanical properties for use in packaging industry applications as a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics.

Article Tier 2

Separation and Characterization of Plastic Waste Packaging Contaminated with Food Residues

This paper is not directly about microplastic pollution impacts — it develops a processing technology to separate food residues from plastic packaging waste, producing a fraction of mixed microplastics as a byproduct, with the primary aim of improving plastic recyclability.

Article Tier 2

Polypropylene Recovery and Recycling from Mussel Nets

Researchers investigated chemical oxidation using hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid to remove biofilm from polypropylene mussel-farming nets to enable polymer recovery and recycling, finding that oxidation successfully detached organic matter while FTIR spectra and tensile tests confirmed the recovered polypropylene retained properties comparable to virgin material.

Share this paper