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PET foaming: development of a new class of rheological additives for improved processability
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This paper describes development of rheological additives to improve PET foaming for lightweight packaging, as an alternative to hard-to-recycle foamed polystyrene. Replacing polystyrene foam with more recyclable materials is important for reducing ocean microplastic pollution from packaging waste.
Abstract. Polymer foaming is a process broadly used for manufacturing light weight packaging solutions. Polystyrene (PS) is the most widespread material for this application, as it combines easy processability, low cost and high performance of the resulting items. However, foamed PS is difficult to recycle and highly polluting for the oceans and aquatic environment. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is, instead, commonly recycled and R-PET is broadly used for several industrial applications. Yet, PET quickly loses viscosity during the foaming process, due to thermo-hydrolytic and oxidative degradation thus causing poor foaming. In this paper, an innovative combination of chain extenders, anti-oxidants and nucleating agents to modify PET rheology is studied. The additives were experimented both in off-line and in-line apparatus. The experimental results show PET rheology can be customized by appropriately modulating the content of the different additives, thus making PET suitable for foaming process of high-quality items.
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Researchers synthesized lightweight carbon foam from post-consumer PET plastic bottles via a controlled carbonization process, characterizing the foam's physical and chemical properties and exploring its potential as a value-added material from plastic waste recycling.
A sustainable acoustic customization of open porous materials using recycled plastics
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Researchers developed a sustainable foamy acoustic material by incorporating recycled marine microplastic waste — polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) — into a bio-based matrix, characterizing samples of different compositions for sound absorption and thermal insulation properties.
Preparation and application of a polyethylene foam packaging material
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This review examines the preparation, modification, and application of polyethylene foam as a packaging material, discussing its lightweight, insulating, and shock-absorbing properties alongside the environmental and recycling challenges its widespread use creates. The authors propose approaches to address sustainability concerns while maintaining the performance characteristics that make polyethylene foam central to the modern packaging industry.
Synergistic Effect of Dual Additive System on Molecular Structure and Foaming Properties of Recycled PET
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Researchers investigated how dual chain extenders (PMDA and Joncryl ADR4468) improve the melt strength and foamability of recycled PET bottle flakes. The optimized formulation produced uniform low-density foam cells comparable to virgin PET, demonstrating a viable path for upgrading mechanically recycled PET into high-value foam products.
Endothermic–Exothermic Hybrid Foaming of Recycled PET Blends
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Researchers developed a hybrid endothermic-exothermic foaming process for recycled PET blends, producing lightweight foam materials from post-consumer plastic with controlled cell structure, demonstrating a route to add value to recycled PET while reducing the environmental burden of its long environmental persistence.
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.