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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.
Foams are commonly used as sound absorbers and thermal insulators for many industrial and construction applications. The insulating materials market is currently dominated by inorganic fibres like glass and mineral wool, as well as plastic foams. However, worldwide plastics consumption produces huge amounts of waste, generating concerns about soil, air and especially seawater pollution. Hence, new methods for recycling marine microplastic litter according to cleaner production criteria are being sought. This paper presents a novel, sustainable and eco-friendly foamy material made of microplastic waste, namely polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS), incorporated into a bio-based matrix. Samples with different compositions were prepared and then characterized for sound absorption properties. Evidence is presented of very good acoustic performances and of how the acoustic characteristics of the end product can be customized using different microplastic content and type. This allows envisioning many industrial and civil applications for this novel open-cell material.
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Acoustic and thermal characterization of a novel sustainable material incorporating recycled microplastic waste
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Researchers created a new eco-friendly foam material by embedding recovered marine microplastics into a bio-based matrix, producing an open-cell insulating material with strong acoustic and thermal properties. The innovation offers a potential path to upcycle hard-to-recycle mixed marine plastic waste into useful building and industrial insulation products.
Primary study of plastic micro fibre waste for sound absorption applications
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Researchers evaluated plastic microfiber waste as a sound absorption material, finding it shows some acoustic performance potential. While focused on acoustic engineering, the study explores a possible end use for recycled plastic fiber waste that would otherwise contribute to microplastic pollution.
Polyarylate Nanofiber-Enabled Binder-Free Micro/Nano Dual-Scale Hollow Nanocomposite Aerogels from Recycled PET for Thermo-Acoustic Insulation
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Scientists turned recycled plastic water bottles (PET) into a lightweight, sponge-like material that blocks heat and muffles noise—giving old plastic waste a valuable second life instead of letting it pile up in landfills or break down into microplastics. By spinning the plastic into tiny hollow fibers and combining them with another special fiber, they created an insulating material that could one day replace some conventional building materials, offering a cleaner way to manage plastic waste while reducing environmental microplastic pollution.
Sustainable acoustic metamaterials from recycled plastic bottles: A comprehensive review for circular noise control in the built environment
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Reviewing 80 studies, researchers found that acoustic metamaterials fabricated from recycled PET bottles can effectively absorb low-frequency noise, offering a circular economy solution that simultaneously addresses plastic waste accumulation and building noise pollution. Repurposing post-consumer plastic bottles into engineered acoustic materials diverts a major source of microplastic precursors from landfills and natural environments.
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.
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.