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Revisiting poly(vinyl chloride) reactivity in the context of chemical recycling
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This review explores the many chemical reactions that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can undergo, viewed through the lens of chemical recycling potential. Researchers found that PVC's well-documented reactivity in modification chemistry could inspire new methods for converting PVC waste into useful products. The study suggests that building on existing knowledge of PVC chemistry may help overcome the major challenge of recycling one of the world's most widely used yet least recycled plastics.
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is one of the highest production volume polymers due to its many applications, and it is one of the least recycled due to its chemical structure and frequent formulation with additives. Developing efficient PVC recycling techniques would enable PVC waste to be reused or repurposed in other processes. Within this context, the literature on PVC modification offers considerable insight into versatile reaction pathways, potentially inspiring new approaches for repurposing PVC waste into value-added products. This perspective provides an overview of PVC functionalization through a lens of chemical recycling, discussing various PVC reactivity trends and their applications with a critical assessment and future outlook of their recycling implications.
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Recent advances in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) recycling
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"This review examines conventional and emerging recycling technologies for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), including mechanical, thermal, chemical, plasma-assisted, and solvent-based methods, with particular attention to the European regulatory context shaped by the Circular Economy Action Plan. Researchers identify persistent challenges such as low recycling yields and high energy consumption while highlighting the significant greenhouse gas savings and economic benefits that effective PVC recycling can deliver."
Upvaluing chlorinated plastic wastes
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This review explores strategies for upcycling chlorinated plastic waste such as polyvinyl chloride, which poses particular recycling challenges due to its chlorine content. Researchers highlight emerging green methods for converting these materials into valuable chemical products, addressing a critical bottleneck in plastic waste management.
Expanding plastics recycling technologies: chemical aspects, technology status and challenges
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This review examined the full life cycle of plastics and evaluated options for managing plastic waste, with a focus on chemical recycling technologies. The study suggests that overcoming barriers to industrial chemical recycling could open new opportunities for reducing plastic pollution.
Critical advances and assessment on chemo-biological conversions of waste polyvinyl chloride
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Researchers reviewed chemical and biological strategies for recycling polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste — including microbial degradation, thermolysis, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis — and found thermolysis to be the most practically scalable method, while noting that microbial approaches remain limited by the absence of efficient enzymes and metabolic pathways for PVC breakdown.
Risks Associated with the Presence of Polyvinyl Chloride in the Environment and Methods for Its Disposal and Utilization
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This review examines the environmental and health risks of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most common plastics. As PVC breaks down into microplastics, it contaminates soil, water, and even drinking water, entering the food chain and exposing humans to harmful effects. The paper surveys methods being developed to clean up and remove PVC microplastics from the environment.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.