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Sustainable Reinforcement of Rubber Compound Using Recycled PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): A Review
Summary
A comprehensive review found that incorporating recycled PET into rubber compounds can improve tensile strength by up to 45%, enhance thermal stability by 20–30°C, and reduce energy consumption by approximately 50 MJ/kg compared to virgin PET, while advancing circular economy goals. Diverting post-consumer PET waste into high-performance rubber composites reduces the volume of plastic that would otherwise enter waste streams where it fragments into microplastics.
Increasing environmental concerns over plastic waste and the depletion of non-renewable resources have intensified the search for sustainable alternatives in rubber reinforcement. This review comprehensively investigates the use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) as a green reinforcing agent in rubber compounds, replacing traditional fillers such as carbon black and silica. Experimental studies reveal that incorporating r-PET can improve tensile strength by up to 45%, enhance thermal stability by 20–30°C, and lead to energy savings of approximately 50 MJ.kg-1 compared to virgin PET. Notably, this review is the first to integrate mechanical performance analysis with life cycle assessment (LCA), providing a dual perspective on technical feasibility and environmental impacts. Processing methods, such as mechanical blending, chemical grafting, and surface modification, have been discussed to enhance r-PET compatibility with rubber matrices. Challenges such as poor dispersion, interfacial adhesion, and thermal degradation are critically analyzed, along with mitigation strategies. The findings demonstrate that r-PET not only offers performance and cost advantages but also supports circular economy initiatives by repurposing postconsumer PET waste into high-performance rubber composite. Future research directions are proposed, focusing on hybrid reinforcement systems, compatibility enhancement, and carbon-footprint reduction.