Solvent-based plastic recycling technologies
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-22-2025
Department
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
Solvent-based recycling approaches are receiving industrial and academic interest for their ability to produce high-quality plastic resins from a variety of plastic waste sources without breaking the polymer chains. Here we highlight the development of solvent-based technologies, focusing on the underlying principles, techno-economic and life-cycle analyses, and commercialization. The basic steps in solvent-based recycling include plastic size reduction, plastic dissolution, filtration or centrifugation, and optional additional cleaning steps such as adsorption, precipitation and solvent removal. Impurities that build up in the solvent must also be removed. The goal of solvent-based technologies is to produce a high-quality resin without plastic contaminants or other added substances. Disadvantages of these solvent-based technologies are their physicochemical complexity and the difficulty in scaling up to achieve continuous operations with high polymer and solvent yields and throughputs. Chemical engineering is thus critical in bringing solvent-based recycling technologies to market.
Publication Title
Nature Chemical Engineering
Recommended Citation
Xu, Z.,
Sanchez-Rivera, K.,
Granger, C.,
Zhou, P.,
Munguia-Lopez, A. d.,
Ikegwu, U. M.,
Bar-Ziv, E.,
&
et al.
(2025).
Solvent-based plastic recycling technologies.
Nature Chemical Engineering,
2, 407-423.
http://doi.org/10.1038/s44286-025-00247-1
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p2/2584