PET Recycling – Contributions of Crystallization to Sustainability
Claudia Pudack, Manfred Stepanski, Peter Fässler
Abstract
Abstract Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most common thermoplastic polymers and its durability has become a major environmental concern. The current public debate on plastic debris also triggered the revision of PET recycling technologies. This Research Article focuses on the chemical recycling of PET by means of methanolysis. The process degrades PET into two main reaction products, dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethylene glycol (EG). Subsequent separation by distillation combined with crystallization removes critical impurities and non‐PET components from co‐polymers, providing monomers of high purity needed for re‐polymerization purposes.
Topics & Concepts
Polyethylene terephthalateCrystallizationMaterials sciencePolymerThermoplasticChemical engineeringPolyethylene glycolPolymerizationEthyleneMonomerDistillationWaste managementPolymer chemistryOrganic chemistryChemistryCatalysisComposite materialEngineeringMicroplastics and Plastic PollutionRecycling and Waste Management Techniquesbiodegradable polymer synthesis and properties