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Mechanical Recycling of Thermoplastics: A Review of Key Issues

Waste 2023 63 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Alae Lamtai, Alae Lamtai, Saïd Elkoun, Mathieu Robert, Frej Mighri, Carl Diez, Carl Diez

Summary

This review covers the key steps and challenges in mechanical recycling of thermoplastics, the most widely used industrial recycling method. Researchers discuss sorting technologies, decontamination processes, and how different types of plastics degrade during recycling. The study highlights strategies for improving the quality of recycled commodity plastics, engineering polymers, and bio-sourced materials to support the transition toward a circular economy.

Polymers

During the last decade, the consumption of plastics has increased highly in parallel with plastic waste. The transition towards a circular economy is the only way to prevent the environment from landfilling and incineration. This review details the recycling techniques with a focus on mechanical recycling of polymers, which is the most known and developed technique in industries. The different steps of mechanical recycling have been highlighted, starting from sorting technologies to the different decontamination processes. This paper covers degradation mechanisms and ways to improve commodity polymers (Polyolefins), engineering polymers (PET, PA6), and bio-sourced polymers (PLA and PHB).

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