Impact of molecular weight, additives and copolymers on the chemical recycling of (bio)plastics using solid ruthenium-based catalysts

The production of polymers is rising ever since the 1950s. One of the emerging trends is the implementation of bioplastics, i.e., polymers encompassing biodegradability and biosourcing. Even whether biodegradability is an interesting end-life option if plastic waste is mismanaged, the development of robust processes for direct chemical recycling is more appealing to create a real circular value chain. Furthermore, the direct recycling method of bioplastic reduces the competition of raw materials used for fabricating bioplastics with food production. In this study, the chemical recycling through hydrolysis of the bioplastics PLA and PHA is investigated. Ru/CeO2 is applied as solid catalyst. The focus is placed on investigating the influence of molecular weight, the incorporation of additives such as reinforcement agents, and the implementation of copolymers in varying molar proportions. By comprehensively investigating the influence of polymer properties and additives, this study aims to contribute to the early identification of recycling challenges, enabling a forward-thinking approach to design efficient recycling processes, ensuring the sustainable integration of bioplastics into a truly circular economy.