Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of reclaiming crosslinked rubber, which can reclaim various kinds of crosslinked rubbers whose reclamation is difficult. The method of reclaiming crosslinked rubber 10 of the present invention includes a step of reclaiming crosslinked rubber by applying shear stress to the crosslinked rubber 10, wherein the maximum pressure in the reclaiming step is 1.5 MPa or more.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods for recycling thermoset materials such as natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, silicone rubbers, and other elastomers and cross-linked polymers (e.g., isoprene rubbers; butyl rubbers; ethylene-propylene-diene-rubbers, “EPDM”; nitrile, or acrylonitrile butadiene rubbers, “NBR”; styrene-butadiene rubbers, “SBR”; hard rubbers such as EBONITE®; mixtures of vulcanized rubbers from discarded tires). The invention is based on the discovery that by combining powdered or particulate thermoset materials with lubricants such as aromatic or paraffinic rubber processing oils or volatile solvents, the thermoset materials can be recycled under moderate temperature and pressure conditions to rapidly produce materials having physical properties comparable to those of virgin thermoset materials. The resulting materials can, for example, be extruded or compaction molded into new shapes such as panels.

Abstract: A new rubber composition for use in clothing and fashion accessories, is provided. The new rubber composition includes 30-70% by weight devulcanized, recycled rubber, and most preferably, devulcanized, recycled tire rubber.

Abstract: A method of modifying crosslinked rubber comprising subjecting the rubber to mechanical elongational and shear forces in the presence of a supercritical fluid that is normally gaseous. Controllable devulcanization of the rubber is achieved.

Abstract: A method for producing a regenerated fluororesin, characterized in that it comprises subjecting a used melt-molded fluororesin article to a heat treatment at a temperature of from room temperature to the melting point of the resin; a method for producing a regenerated fluororesin, characterized in that it comprises subjecting a used melt-molded fluororesin article to a supercritical washing treatment at a temperature of from room temperature to the melting point of the resin; and a regenerated fluororesin article containing substantially no impurities which is obtainable by the above method.

Abstract: A moldable heterogeneous composite material has a continuous plastic phase (30) and a discrete phase of unground rubber (20) dispersed in the continuous phase. The composite material can be formed from thermoplastic or thermosetting materials and pieces of rubber from used tires. The composite material of the present invention can be molded in a process having the steps of providing a flowable melt of plastic material (50), providing unground rubber pieces (70), mixing the plastic material with the rubber pieces to form a composite material, and molding the composite material into an article (10) having a desired shape. Molded articles formed from the composite of the present invention have high rigidity and good durability.

Abstract: Reclaimed rubber which is obtained through devulcanization and has excellent physical properties as a vulcanized material, and a process for producing the same are provided. In the reclaimed rubber obtained by devulcanizing vulcanized rubber, the proportion of sol is 80% or higher, and the peak top molecular weight of sol as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is 100,000 or less.

Abstract: Materials ranging from impact-modified thermoplastics to thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) can be obtained from blends of phase compatibility-treated recycled thermoset rubber with thermoplastic polymers by varying the ratio of components in the blend, or by changing the components themselves. The rubber component may include carbon black, or other fillers and additives, and it may be selected from among a variety of thermoset rubbers, both natural and synthetic. The thermoset rubber component can be obtained from a rubber material recycled according to a variety of known techniques. The thermoplastic component can be virtually any suitable polymer, the properties of which can be advantageously modified by combination with a rubber. Polyolefins are among the more preferred thermoplastic components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recovering the rubber content of rubber containing goods such as vehicle tires. The goods are purged of air and immersed in a bath of liquid heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the rubber. The rubber being insoluble in the bath and of less density than the bath, it rises to the surface of the bath and is removed. The process employs a perforated process tube in which the goods are passed in the bath.

Abstract: A new rubber composition for use in clothing and fashion accessories, is provided. The new rubber composition includes 30-70% by weight devulcanized, recycled rubber, and most preferably, devulcanized, recycled tire rubber.

Abstract: A new composition is formed by combining a reduced waste rubber, a heavy paraffin and a reduced waste thermoplastic, and then further reducing the resulting material while holding it at an elevated temperature. In preferred embodiments the rubber and thermoplastic are pre-processed by reduction to mesh sizes of about 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch respectively, and the paraffin is pre-processed by being fluidizing to have a viscosity of at most about 1.0 Centipoise. It is also contemplated that the rubber and paraffin can be advantageously combined with each other prior to inclusion of the thermoplastic, with the paraffin/rubber combination being heated to a temperature of about 220° F. to about 250° F. for about 3 minutes. It is still further contemplated that the combination of rubber, paraffin and thermoplastic can be heated to between about 360° F. and about 500° F.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that cured rubber can be devulcanized by heating it to a temperature of at least about 150° C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4×106 Pascals in the presence of a solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols and ketones having a critical temperature within the range of about 200° C. to about 350° C. The molecular weight of the rubber can be maintained at a relatively high level if the devulcanization is carried out at a temperature of no more than about 300° C. This devulcanization technique does not significantly change the microstructure of the rubber. In other words, the devulcanized rubber can be recompounded and recured into useful articles in substantially the same way as was the original rubber.

Abstract: The breakdown of crosslinked elastomers, including the devulcanization of crumb rubber, is achieved by exposing the elastomers to ultrasonic vibrations induced by magnetostriction transducers. The transducers are capable of a higher power output than ultrasound produced by piezoelectric transducers, and are able to withstand high temperatures and high-frequency vibrations to a significantly better degree.

Abstract: Mechanical/chemical method and composition for de-vulcanization of rubber maintains the macromolecules, renders sulfur passive for later re-vulcanization, is cost effective, environmentally friendly and produces high quality de-vulcanized rubber to replace virgin rubber. Waste rubber is shredded, crushed and metal-removed. Modifying composition is added as the particles of shredded waste rubber are poured between two rollers that further crush the particles. The modifying composition is a mixture of (1) a proton donor that selectively breaks the sulfur bonds and renders the sulfur passive, (2) a metal oxide and (3) an organic acid that build new bonds between macromolecules for later re-vulcanization, (4) an inhibitor that prevents re-attachment of sulfur radicals with each other before the proton donor attaches itself to the sulfur and (5) a friction agent that prevents sliding of the waste rubber between the rollers. The particles are subjected to at least ten sets of rollers.

Abstract: A method of separating a vulcanized or unvulcanized rubber into a rubber ingredient and a filler ingredient such as carbon black which comprises liquefying the vulcanized or unvulcanized rubber at ordinary temperature and ordinary pressure; and a method of separating from a rubber composite a component other than those. The methods comprise immersing, optionally with stirring, a rubber composite or a vulcanized rubber composition each in the form of a block in an organic solvent containing 0.01 to 50% peroxide such as benzoyl peroxide to liquefy the vulcanized rubber composition in the solvent and separating the filler ingredient and other components by centrifugal separation, membrane separation, or decantation.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles of manufacture, such as for example, tires and industrial products, which have at least one component comprised of a rubber composition which contains particles of pre-sulfur vulcanized rubber (e.g. ground recycled rubber) and high purity trithiodipropionic acid, wherein said trithiodipropionic acid is preferably provided as particles of a carbon black composite comprised of carbon black and said high purity trithiodipropionic acid. Said high purity trithiodipropionic acid is comprised of polythiodipropionic acids containing at least 80 weight percent trithiodipropionic acid based upon said polythiodipropionic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for devulcanizing a sulphur-cured rubber, which rubber contains a network of a polymer, which polymer has a main chain of carbon atoms, in which for the vulcanization per 40 carbon-carbon bonds in the main chain a maximum of 1 unsaturated carbon-carbon bond occurs, by heating the rubber in the presence of a devulcanizing agent. The devulcanizing agent is an amine compound.

Abstract: Rubber compositions such as tire innerliners contain significant amounts of ground, fine size tire curing bladder rubber as a filler. Critical properties such as air retention are not affected and spent or old curing bladder rubber which would otherwise go to a landfill is effectively recycled.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles of manufacture, such as for example, tires and industrial products, which have at least one component comprised of a rubber composition which contains particles of pre-sulfur vulcanized rubber (e.g. ground recycled rubber) and impure tetrathiodipropionic acid, namely a blend comprised primarily of tetrathiodipropionic acid and trithiodipropionic acids of a weight ratio thereof in a range of about 80/20 to about 30/70. Said blend is referred to herein as an S4/S3 blend. The S4/S3 blend may be introduced directly to a rubber composition or may be provided as particles of a composite of said S4/S3 and a particulate support therefor for a purpose of aiding the dispersion of the S4 and S3 within the elastomer host. Representative of such support, or carrier, may be, for example, silica, particularly amorphous precipitated silica, carbon black, clay, starch, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, titanium dioxide and the like, wherein carbon black is preferred.

Abstract: A process and resulting product is provided in which a vulcanized solid particulate, such as vulcanized crumb rubber, has select chemical bonds broken by biotreatment with thermophillic microorganisms selected from naturally occurring isolates derived from hot sulfur springs. The biotreatment of the crumb rubber renders the treated crumb rubber more suitable for use in new rubber formulations. As a result, larger loading levels and sizes of the treated crumb rubber can be used in new rubber mixtures.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for devulcanizing the surface of reclaimed rubber crumb into surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb that is suitable for being recompounded and recurred into high performance rubber products, said process comprising the steps of (1) heating the reclaimed rubber crumb to a temperature within the range of about 150° C. to about 300° C. under pressure of at least about 3.4×106 Pascals in the presence of 2-butanol to devulcanized the surface of the rubber crumb thereby producing a slurry of the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb in the 2-butanol, wherein the reclaimed rubber crumb has a particles size which is within the range of about 325 mesh to about 20 mesh, and (2) separating the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb from 2-butanol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recycled ABS resin.

Abstract: A roof sealant composition and method for treating roof constructions is provided in which a roof sealant composition including from about 25 to 60% by weight recycled paint sludge is applied to a roof in a first coating followed by the application of a supportive mesh. A second coating of the sealant composition is applied as a top coat. Upon drying, a composite is formed which exhibits elongation of greater than 300% and a tensile strength of greater than 500 psi and provides resistance to cracking and leaks.

Abstract: Rubber compositions such as tire innerliners contain significant amounts of ground, fine size tire curing bladder rubber as a filler. Critical properties such as air retention are not affected and spent or old curing bladder rubber which would otherwise go to a landfill is effectively recycled.

Abstract: A process and resulting product is provided in which a vulcanized solid particulate, such as vulcanized crumb rubber, has select chemical bonds broken by microwave radiation. The direct application of microwaves in combination with uniform heating of the crumb rubber renders the treated crumb rubber more suitable for use in new rubber formulations. As a result, larger particle sizes and/or loading levels of the treated crumb rubber can be used in new rubber mixtures to produce recycled composite products with good properties.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that the surface of reclaimed rubber crumb particles can be devulcanized by heating the crumb particles to a temperature of at least about 150° C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4×106 Pascals in the presence of 2-butanol. It is further based upon the unexpected discovery that such surface devulcanized rubber crumb particles having a particle size within the range of about 325 mesh to about 20 mesh can be recompounded and recurred into high performance rubber products; such as, tires, hoses and power transmission belts. This invention more specifically discloses a process for devulcanizing the surface of reclaimed rubber crumb into surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb that is suitable for being recompounded and recurred into high performance rubber products, said process comprising the steps of (1) heating the reclaimed rubber crumb to a temperature which is within the range of about 150° C. to about 300° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for converting an elastomer to a decreased size in a grinding apparatus is disclosed. The method includes optionally soaking the elastomer in a first additive. The method further includes reducing the size of the elastomer to form at least one elastomer particle of a first size. The method also includes optionally removing impurities from the elastomer. Further, the method includes adding a carrier to the elastomer particle to form an elastomer slurry. Also, the method includes providing a second additive to the slurry. In addition, the method includes converting the elastomer particle to a second size, the second size being less than the first size. The method also includes recovering the elastomer particle of the second size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recovering the rubber content of rubber containing goods such as vehicle tires. The goods are purged of air and immersed in a bath of liquid heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the rubber. The rubber being insoluble in the bath and of less density than the bath, it rises to the surface of the bath and is removed. The process employs a perforated process tube in which the goods are passed in the bath.

Abstract: A process for producing a natural rubber for a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which comprises decreasing a molecular weight of an unmasticated natural rubber by the action of a peptizing agent while dissolving the unmasticated natural rubber in an organic solvent, and a natural rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising a natural rubber having a weigh average molecular weight Mw of 700,000 or less obtained by the process.

Abstract: A process and resulting product is provided in which a vulcanized solid particulate, such as vulcanized crumb rubber, has select chemical bonds altered by biotreatment with thermophillic microorganisms selected from natural isolates from hot sulfur springs. Following the biotreatment, microwave radiation is used to further treat the surface and to treat the bulk interior of the crumb rubber. The resulting combined treatments render the treated crumb rubber more suitable for use in new rubber formulations. As a result, larger loading levels and sizes of the treated crumb rubber can be used in new rubber mixtures and good properties obtained from the new recycled products.

Abstract: A homogeneous powder mainly consisting of an elastic material, such as vulcanised rubber, is produced by first forming a composite body of larger particles of the elastic material, bound together by a thermoplastic material. The composite body is then subjected to mechanical treatment, e.g. grinding, producing a homogeneous powder having a particle size of less than 1.5 mm and consisting of up to about 80% by weigh of vulcanised rubber.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for devulcanizing the surface of reclaimed rubber crumb into surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb that is suitable for being recompounded and recured into high performance rubber products, said process comprising the steps of (1) heating the reclaimed rubber crumb to a temperature which is within the range of about 150° C. to about 300° C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4×106 Pascals in the presence of a solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols and ketones, wherein said solvent has a critical temperature, which is within the range of about 200° C. to about 350° C., to devulcanize the surface of the rubber crumb thereby producing a slurry of the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb in the solvent, wherein the reclaimed rubber crumb has a particle size which is within the range of about 325 mesh to about 20 mesh, and (2) separating the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb from the solvent.

Abstract: Mechanical/chemical method and composition for de-vulcanization of rubber maintains the macromolecules, renders sulfur passive for later re-vulcanization, is cost effective, environmentally friendly and produces high quality de-vulcanized rubber to replace virgin rubber. Waste rubber is shredded, crushed and metal-removed. Modifying composition is added as the particles of shredded waste rubber are poured between two rollers that further crush the particles. The modifying composition is a mixture of (1) a proton donor that selectively breaks the sulfur bonds and renders the sulfur passive, (2) a metal oxide and (3) an organic acid that build new bonds between macromolecules for later re-vulcanization, (4) an inhibitor that prevents re-attachment of sulfur radicals with each other before the proton donor attaches itself to the sulfur and (5) a friction agent that prevents sliding of the waste rubber between the rollers. The particles are subjected to at least ten sets of rollers.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for devulcanizing the surface of reclaimed rubber crumb into surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb that is suitable for being recompounded and recurred into high performance rubber products, said process comprising the steps of (1) heating the reclaimed rubber crumb to a temperature which is within the range of about 150° C. to about 300° C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4×106 Pascals in the presence of 2-butanol to devulcanize the surface of the rubber crumb thereby producing a slurry of the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb in the 2-butanol, wherein the reclaimed rubber crumb has a particle size which is within the range of about 325 mesh to about 20 mesh, and (2) separating the surface devulcanized reclaimed rubber crumb from the 2-butanol.

Abstract: The present invention is a recipe and method for combining Gilsonite and other asphaltites with curative elastomers that are powder granular form and which are added to asphalt. Second recipe and method is disclosed to create a dry liquid concentrate comprised of cured elastomers in combination with tall oil or other fatty acids and may also include Gilsonite to be added to asphalt.

Abstract: An aqueous leather coating composition containing a multi-stage emulsion polymer having a stage of Tg<10° C. which contains a copolymerized carboxylic acid and which has been contacted with a divalent metal oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate and a polymer stage of Tg>20° C. which has been prepared in the presence of 1% to 15% by weight based on the weight of that stage of chain transfer agent is provided. Also, provided is a method for coating leather with the composition of this invention.

Abstract: Reclaimed rubber having excellent performance is applied for reuse in tires or for asphalt, etc. The reclaimed rubber obtained by devulcanization treatment of vulcanized rubber from discard tires, etc. has a proportion of sol to gel: 10-80%, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the sol by gel permeation chromatography (GPC): 20,000-300,000, and a degree of swelling of the gel: 3.0-20.0. A process for reclaiming the vulcanized rubber is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition containing a reclaimed rubber and a method for producing the same. A rubber molded article having excellent rubber properties can be obtaining and the recycling of a used rubber product can be promoted by the present invention. A rubber composition of the present invention is a blend comprising a reclaimed rubber obtained by applying a heat and a shear stress to a vulcanized rubber, a non-vulcanized virgin rubber or/and a thermoplastic resin, wherein the reclaimed rubber contains 40% by weight or more of a residual toluene-insoluble gel component and the network chain density of the rubber in the component is 1/20 to 1/4 based on the network chain density of the rubber of the vulcanized rubber.

Abstract: A process for preparing thermoplastic rubbers from vulcanized rubber scrap material is provided comprising devulcanizing the vulcanized rubber scrap material while blending the vulcanized rubber scrap material with an olefinic plastic resin in the presence of devulcanizing additives. Preferably, the vulcanized rubber scrap material is first milled prior to blending with the olefinic plastic rein. The plastic resin may be a virgin resin, a recycled resin or a mixture thereof. The process is termed “dynamic de-vulcanization” to denote that the rubber scrap material is being devulcanized while it is being blended with the plastic resin to form the thermoplastic rubber. The resultant thermoplastic rubbers exhibit superior physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, hardness and flexural modulus compared to thermoplastic rubber compositions comprising mixtures of plastics and recycled rubbers heretofore produced.

Abstract: A mixer and method of using the mixer is disclosed in which a closed chambered vessel capable of both holding pressure and vacuum is charged with a mixture of elastomer and materials taken from the group of tall oil, fatty acids and residues of tall oil production. The charge mixture is heated under pressure without excessive friction heat. After the heating cycle, the mixer atmosphere is evacuated under vacuum, and then the mix is discharged.

Abstract: A process for cleaning plastic materials is disclosed, in which foreign materials adhered on and internally intruded into the plastic materials are cleaned to recycle the plastic materials. The process for cleaning plastics to recycle them according to the present invention includes the following steps. (1) A first cleaning is carried out on roughly crushed plastics of a size of 2-3 cm by using a solvent within a dumbler. (2) The solvent is discharged out of the dumbler after the first cleaning. (3) A second cleaning is carried out on the plastics by using a solvent within the dumbler after the first cleaning. (4) The solvent is discharged out of the dumbler after the second cleaning. (5) The plastics are dried after the second cleaning by injecting a heated nitrogen gas into the dumbler. (6) The nitrogen gas is discharged out of the dumbler under a reduced pressure, whereby contamination materials adhered on surfaces and internally intruded are cleaned.

Abstract: Reclaimed rubber which is obtained through devulcanization and has excellent physical properties as a vulcanized material, and a process for producing the same are provided. In the reclaimed rubber obtained by devulcanizing vulcanized rubber, the proportion of sol is 80% or higher, and the peak top molecular weight of sol as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is 100,000 or less.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for the recycling and production of plastics, plastics mixtures and plastics materials, using new, reprocessed or used plastics and plastics mixtures or sorted and unsorted plastics wastes, in which a) a carrier material A, which comprises a newly produced plastics material or plastics waste material containing a uniform type-pure plastic or plastics of various types, a material of any or unknown composition X and an additional component Z selected from fatty acids, mixtures containing fatty acid of natural or synthetic origin, fatty acid derivatives which release fatty acid under the process conditions and fatty alcohols are mixed together, A and X together containing, relative to the volume, at least a quantity of plastics such that the non-plastics components are incorporated therein while a homogeneous or partially homogeneous composition is still forming, b) this mixture is conveyed through a conveying device with constant mechanical mixing, kneading or compression, and

Abstract: Old, spent or worn tires are recycled by removing non-rubber components such as belts, beads, and fabric, and grinding the remaining cured rubber into fine sized particles. The ground particles generally replace equivalent amounts of rubber and additives in various tire formulated components such as tire treads. Good physical properties of the end product are retained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition containing a reclaimed rubber and a method for producing the same. A rubber molded article having excellent rubber properties can be obtained and the recycling of a used rubber product can be promoted by the present invention. A rubber composition of the present invention is a blend comprising a claimed rubber obtained by applying a heat and a shear stress to a vulcanized rubber, a non-vulcanized virgin rubber or/and a thermoplastic resin, wherein the reclaimed rubber contains 40% by weight or more of a residual toluene-insoluble gel component and the network chain density of the rubber in the gel component is 1/20 to 1/4 based on the network chain density of the rubber of the vulcanized rubber.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.

Abstract: A process for decomposing a polymer which is capable of undergoing thermal depolymerization to its monomer or monomers, such as for example poly(methylmethacrylate), and for the recovery of at least one of the monomers, includes the steps of subjecting the polymer in solid, gel, partially molten or molten form to microwave heating for a time and at a temperature sufficient to decompose the polymer to produce the monomer or monomers in gaseous, liquid or solid form, without substantial decomposition of the monomer or monomers, and recovering at least one of the monomer or monomers. The monomer or monomers may then be reused for plymerisation.

Abstract: A process for dereticulating a cross-linked polymeric material, such as cross-linked polyethylene from scraps of electric cable coatings or from unused cable coatings through a mechanical mixing cycle, wherein the cross-linked material is subjected to a specific power per mass unit such as to induce shear stresses in the material itself and temperatures higher than pre-established minimum levels. At the end of this cycle the material goes back to a thermoplastic state that may be substantially regarded as thermoplastic; then, following granulation, cooling, drying and sacking, the material will be ready for re-use, either alone or mixed with virgin polymers, according to usual operating technologies for thermoplastic materials. Eventually, the mechanical mixing cycle may be preceeded by a preliminary crushing cycle of the cross-linked polymeric materials to be treated. Preferably, the mixing cycle is carried out in a twin-screw extruder with special screw and temperature profiles.

Abstract: Processes for spray drying water-soluble and water-swellable vinyl-addition polymer-containing dispersions, emulsions and microemulsions to obtain substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, compositions of substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, methods of agglomerating spray-dried polymer particles, and methods of using spray-dried polymer particles and agglomerates in water-treating, mining, paper, food processing, soil conditioning, solution thickening, biotechnological, and oil recovery applications are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of separating a coating from a base plastic in a multilayered structure, comprising the steps of (A) providing the multilayered structure comprising at least a coating and a base plastic; (B) contacting the multilayered structure with a mixture comprising (i) a major amount of water, (ii) at least one basic compound or acid compound, (iii) at least one lifting agent, and (iv) at least one accelerator; and (C) separating the coating from the base plastic. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a separating composition containing a major amount of water, at least one basic compound or acid compound, at least one lifting agent, and at least one accelerator. The inventive methods and compositions overcome numerous problems in the art by enabling the efficient recycling of coated polymer articles whereby clear and/or colorless recycled polymers may be obtained.