Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

PET foaming: development of a new class of rheological additives for improved processability

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.

2023 Materials research proceedings
Article Tier 2

Polymer Bead Foams: A Review on Foam Preparation, Molding, and Interbead Bonding Mechanism

This paper is not directly about microplastics; it provides a comprehensive review of polymer bead foam materials — including preparation, molding techniques, and inter-bead bonding — with applications in packaging, automotive parts, and insulation.

2023 Macromol—A Journal of Macromolecular Research 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental implications of styrofoam waste and its utilization as lightweight fill material for embankment construction

Researchers investigated the environmental problems caused by styrofoam waste and explored whether it could be repurposed as a lightweight fill material for construction embankments. They found that incorporating styrofoam into embankment construction improved structural performance while diverting waste from landfills. The study suggests that reusing styrofoam in civil engineering could help address both waste management and construction challenges.

2024 E3S Web of Conferences 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Expandable polystyrene production and market survey- A review

This review examines the production processes and global market for expandable polystyrene (EPS), describing the two main manufacturing approaches — batch processing and the impregnation method — used to produce pre-expanded PS beads. The paper surveys EPS applications in packaging, construction, and insulation and presents data on worldwide polystyrene consumption and market trends.

2023 Egyptian Journal of Chemistry 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Lightweight carbon foam obtained from post-use polyethylene terephthalate bottles, properties, and potential applications

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.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Energy absorption and resilience in quasi-static loading of foam-formed cellulose fibre materials

Researchers investigated lightweight foam-formed cellulose fibre materials as potential replacements for fossil-based plastic cushioning in packaging applications. They tested a wide range of material compositions and densities, finding that fibre type and refining significantly influenced energy absorption and resilience during compression. The study demonstrates that cellulose-based foams could provide adequate mechanical protection for packaging while avoiding the microplastic pollution associated with conventional plastic foams.

2024 Cellulose 14 citations
Article Tier 2

A mini-review on expanded polystyrene waste recycling and its applications

This mini-review summarizes recycling technologies and emerging applications for expanded polystyrene waste, examining mechanical, chemical, and dissolution recycling methods and their practical feasibility for diverting EPS from landfill in both developed and developing countries.

2023 World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Expanded beads of polyethylene moldable at low steam pressure

Researchers developed an expanded polyethylene bead foam that can be molded at very low steam pressures, making it cheaper and more flexible to manufacture than conventional expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam). Unlike polystyrene, polyethylene foam is more readily recyclable and the study explicitly notes this approach avoids contributing to microplastic pollution. This represents a step toward replacing one of the most environmentally persistent foam plastics with a more manageable alternative.

2024 Journal of Cellular Plastics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Research Progress in the Preparation of Aluminum Foam Composite Structures

This review summarizes advances in aluminum foam composite structures, covering fabrication methods and the combination of lightweight properties with functions such as energy absorption, sound insulation, and electromagnetic shielding for structural and functional applications.

2022 Metals 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation and Study of a Waste Corrugated Cardboard Fiber‐Based Foamed Material With Good Hydrophobicity and Flame‐Retardant Properties

Researchers fabricated biomass foams from waste corrugated cardboard fibres using a microwave-assisted foaming technique, investigating the synergistic effects of silane fibre modification and kaolin doping on mechanical, hydrophobic, and flame-retardant properties. The optimised foam achieved a compressive stress of 0.53 MPa at 50% strain, a 20.1% reduction in water absorption, and a 34.7% increase in limiting oxygen index compared to conventional foams, presenting a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based cushioning materials.

2025 Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Article Tier 2

Energy Absorption and Resilience in Quasi-Static Loading of Foam-Formed Cellulose Fibre Materials

Researchers investigated foam-formed cellulose fibre materials as biodegradable replacements for fossil-based plastic cushioning in packaging, testing 129 trial formulations with densities from 21 to 123 kg per cubic meter to characterize quasi-static energy absorption and mechanical resilience properties.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Polyurethane Foam Waste Upcycling into an Efficient and Low Pollutant Gasification Syngas

Researchers modeled the gasification of polyurethane foam waste under various conditions, finding that optimized thermochemical treatment can convert this common polymer waste into hydrogen-rich syngas with low pollutant output, offering a viable energy recovery pathway for difficult-to-recycle plastic foam materials.

2022 Polymers 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of Styrofoam Waste-based Membrane Through Vapor and Liquid-induced Phase Inversion Process

Researchers prepared polymeric membranes from recycled Styrofoam waste using a phase-inversion technique with either immersion or evaporation solidification, finding that the solidification method significantly influenced hydrophobicity, pore configuration, porosity, and thermal stability of the resulting membranes.

2023 Jurnal Kimia Riset 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Polymer Bead Foams: A Review on Foam Preparation, Molding, and Inter-Bead Bonding Mechanism

This review examines the preparation, molding, and inter-bead bonding mechanisms of polymer bead foams, providing a comparative analysis of foam characteristics across distinct polymer types including expanded polypropylene, polyethylene, and polylactic acid. The authors survey traditional molding processes such as steam-chest molding and adhesive-assisted molding alongside emerging techniques like in-mold foaming and microwave sintering, discussing the multi-scale structural features that govern bead foam performance.

2023 Preprints.org 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene as Hazardous Household Waste

This chapter reviews the hazards associated with polystyrene — a petroleum-based plastic used in packaging and household products — highlighting its persistence, the toxic additives it contains, and its potential to fragment into microplastics. The authors discuss regulatory history and make the case for treating polystyrene foam as a hazardous household waste.

2017 InTech eBooks 59 citations
Review Tier 2

Packaging Waste in the Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic literature review examines packaging waste throughout the supply chain, documenting the environmental impact of growing packaging use and the push to reduce packaging waste across sectors. The review identifies strategies and knowledge gaps relevant to sustainable packaging design and waste management.

2023 Highlights in Business Economics and Management 2 citations
Review Tier 2

Potential Applications of Different Forms of Recycled Plastics as Construction Materials—A Review

This review examined potential applications of different forms of recycled plastics (granules, powder, fiber, aggregate) as construction materials, identifying suitable recycling methodologies and construction products with performance benefits such as improved toughness and reduced weight.

2023 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Lightweight Carbon Foam obtained from post-use Polyehylene Terephthalate bottles and potential applications

Researchers developed a lightweight carbon foam from post-consumer PET bottles through carbonization, demonstrating a viable way to upcycle plastic waste into a valuable material with potential applications in filtration and thermal insulation.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 1 citations
Review Tier 2

Environmental risk, toxicity, and biodegradation of polyethylene: a review.

This review covers the environmental persistence, toxicity, and potential biodegradation of polyethylene — one of the world's most widely produced plastics. Because polyethylene does not biodegrade, it persists for decades and breaks into microplastics that accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms, with documented toxic effects across multiple species.

2022 Environmental science and pollution research international
Article Tier 2

Microplastics release from victuals packaging materials during daily usage

Researchers investigated microplastic release from food packaging materials during daily usage, with a focus on polystyrene foam containers. The study found that these containers release microplastic particles during routine handling, heating, and food contact, suggesting that food packaging is a significant and direct source of human microplastic exposure.

2021 EcoMat 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Performance Characterization and Evaluation of Innovative Cement Mortars and Concretes Made with Recycled EPS

Not relevant to microplastics — this study evaluates the mechanical strength and thermal insulation performance of cement mortars and concretes that incorporate recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads as aggregate, focused on construction materials.

2024 Applied Sciences 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Material Development and Properties of Medium-Density Board from Low and High-Density Polyethylene

Not directly relevant to microplastic pollution research. This engineering study creates medium-density boards from waste polyethylene plastics and tests their mechanical properties for use in furniture and construction—a materials recycling study rather than a pollution or health impacts study.

2026 Advances in Technology Innovation
Article Tier 2

Recycling of Plastic Waste in the Construction Industry

This review examines the use of recycled plastic waste in construction applications including concrete, asphalt, insulation, and structural composites, assessing the performance, durability, and environmental benefits of incorporating waste plastics into building materials to reduce landfill disposal.

2025 Polymers 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Iced block method: An efficient method for preparation of micro-sized expanded polystyrene foams

Researchers developed a new method for producing micro-sized expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam particles in the lab, enabling better-controlled experiments on EPS microplastic toxicity and environmental behavior. EPS foam is widely found in the environment but has been understudied compared to other microplastic types.

2020 Environmental Pollution 2 citations