Advancements in Chemical Recycling Catalysts for Plastic Waste in South Korea

Plastics are widely used in various industries because of their light weight, low cost, and high durability. The mass production and consumption of plastics have led to a rapid increase in plastic waste problem, necessitating the development of effective recycling technologies. The chemical recycling of plastics has emerged as a promising strategy to address these challenges, enabling the conversion of plastic waste into high-purity monomers or oils, even from contaminated or mixed plastic feedstock. This review focuses on the development of catalysts for the chemical recycling of plastics in South Korea, which has one of the highest per capita plastic consumption rates and both academic and industrial efforts in this field. We examine catalytic depolymerization processes for recovering monomers from polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC), as well as catalytic pyrolysis processes for polyolefins, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). By summarizing recent academic research and industrial initiatives in South Korea, this review highlights the strategic role of the country in advancing chemical recycling. Moreover, this review proposes future research directions including the development of reusable catalysts, energy-efficient recycling process, and strategies for recycling mixed or contaminated plastic waste.