Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that involve a subcritical water reaction to recycle the cellulose and polyester components of waste cotton and cotton/polyester blend textiles that would otherwise be discarded or disposed of. Specifically, the disclosed methods provide for treatment of the waste textiles to produce advanced materials including cellulose and terephthalic acid (TPA) with a low environmental impact. The cellulose and TPA that are produced are of a high quality allowing for production of regenerated cellulose and regenerated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) suitable for fiber spinning and textile applications.

Abstract: Process for the production of polycarbonates comprising: providing a hydrocarbon stream A obtained by treatment of a waste plastics feedstock; supplying a feed C comprising a fraction of the hydrocarbon stream A and a fraction of a hydrocarbon stream B to a thermal cracker furnace comprising cracking coil(s); thermally cracking in the presence of steam to obtain a cracked hydrocarbon stream D; separating a product stream E comprising propylene and a product stream F comprising benzene from the cracked hydrocarbon stream D; performing a reaction and one or more separation step to obtain a product stream G comprising phenol; supplying the product stream G and acetone to a reactor and performing a reaction and one or more separation step to obtain a product stream H comprising bisphenol-A; and supplying the product stream H with phosgene or diphenyl carbonate to a reactor and performing a polymerisation reaction to obtain a polycarbonate.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of polyesters with recycle content by feeding to at least one reaction zone recycle feed comprising an ester recycle material selected from the group consisting of r-DMT, transesterified r-DMT and combinations thereof to form a reaction mixture comprising recycled content in at least one reaction zone; reacting the reaction mixture to form a polyester oligomer mixture with recycled content; and polycondensing the recycle content oligomer mixture to form a polyester with recycle content; wherein the feeding step further comprises feeding to at least one reaction zone a virgin feed, the virgin feed including at least one virgin diol component, the virgin feed further comprises a virgin diacid component, and the virgin diacid component is at least 90 mole % terephthalic acid based on the total diacid content of the virgin feed; and wherein the reacting step comprises reacting the reaction mixture at a temperature of at least 250° C.

Abstract: Chemical recycling facilities for processing mixed waste plastic are provided herein. Such facilities have the capability of processing mixed plastic waste streams and utilize a variety of recycling facilities, such as, for example, solvolysis facility, a pyrolysis facility, a cracker facility, a partial oxidation gasification facility, an energy recovery facility, and a solidification facility. Streams from one or more of these individual facilities may be used as feed to one or more of the other facilities, thereby maximizing recovery of valuable chemical components and minimizing unusable waste streams.

Abstract: A method for forming additive-containing reclaimed polyester can include: providing a feed of recycled polyester; providing a feed of polyester precursors; depolymerizing the recycled polyester to obtain depolymerized polyester monomers; polymerizing the depolymerized polyester monomers with the polyester precursors to form a reclaimed polyester; adding additives to the reclaimed properties to adjust for example, the color and/or viscosity, and providing the additive-containing reclaimed polyester as output.

Abstract: A method for depolymerizing a polyester may comprise heating a polyester at a temperature and for a period of time in the presence of a supported metal-dioxo catalyst, optionally, in the presence of H2, to induce hydrogenolysis of ester groups in the polyester and provide monomers of the polyester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recycling a polyester film that includes comminuting a used polyester film to shreds, the used polyester film including a polyethylene terephthalate polymer, melting the shreds in a twin-screw or multi-screw extruder, filtering the melt, and pelletizing. The present invention further relates to a process for producing a biaxially oriented polyester film that includes melting PET pellets in an extruder, at least 10% by weight of the pellets having been obtained by the process of the invention for recycling a polyester film. The present invention further relates to pellets and to a biaxially oriented polyester film, obtained by the processes of the invention, and also to the use thereof.

Abstract: A polymerization raw material obtained by the depolymerization of waste polyester is disclosed. The polymerization raw material contains recycled bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate in which the contents of acetate-based ester compounds and diethylene glycol ester compounds are adjusted to specific levels. The polymerization raw material is excellent in purity and quality, and free from the problem that thermal resistance characteristics deteriorate in the polymerization of a polymer from the recycled monomer.

Abstract: One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound in a volume section V3 to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced in the volume section V3 to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture comprises a first intermediate product and the further organic compound. First particulated material is added to the first intermediate mixture in a volume section V4. A filtering means is pre-coated with the first particulated material. At least one impurity is at least partially removed from the first intermediate mixture using the filtering means. The first particulated material has a median pore diameter in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm.

Abstract: A method for processing a waste fabric containing polyester and cotton fibers includes the following steps. The first step is providing a plurality of fabric scraps each containing polyester fibers and cotton fibers. The next step is allowing an acid catalyst aqueous solution to repeatedly contact and react with the fabric scraps at 130° C. to 160° C. in a circulation and backflow manner, so as to separate the cotton fibers from each of the fabric scraps. The last step is recycling the reacted acid catalyst aqueous solution and fabric scraps.

Abstract: A treatment method of waste fabric containing polyester fiber and elastic fiber is provided. The method includes the steps of using at least one polar solvent to perform at least a two-stage separation treatment on the waste fabric and recycling the waste fabric after the treatment. The at least one polar solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMAC), N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).

Abstract: One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The first polyester in the feedstock is in the form of a plurality of fragments. The feedstock is contacted with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound in a volume section V3, to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight aver age molar mass of the first polyester is reduced in the volume section V3, to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture comprises a first intermediate product and the further organic compound, 30 wt-% or less of the fragments, based on a total weight of the plurality of fragments in the feedstock, have a thickness that is equal to or larger than 1.0 mm.

Abstract: Superabsorbent fibers (SAF) in a feed stream is converted with UV irradiation into soluble polymers in a flow system. The UV total energy used to convert SAF into soluble polymers is less than about 50 MJ/kg SAF.

Abstract: A recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) blend processing method includes steps: adding a compatibilizer having a porous carbon structure to an rPET blend, wherein the rPET blend includes at least one of PET/PE blend plastic materials and PET/PP blend plastic materials; the porous carbon structure has a diameter ranging from 300 nm to 10 ?m and a specific surface area of 300-1500 square meters per gram; mixing the compatibilizer and the rPET blend homogeneously to form a mixture; granulating the mixture to obtain mixture granules; and performing a pre-crystallization process and a solid-state polymerization process of the mixture granules, whereby to recycle and reuse the rPET hard to separate originally and reused, increase the crystallinity of the rPET, and raise the IV value to 0.6 and above.

Abstract: Polyester-free cotton is obtained from a fabric and/or fibers containing polyester and cotton by reacting the fabric and/or fibers with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction, which may be run in batches or as a continuous flow process, recovers (i) polyester-free cotton as a solid inert by-product of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) a polyester monomer product, and (iv) unreacted alcohol. The reaction works on any polyester-cotton fabric and/or fibers, including those that have at least one additional material, such as polyethers polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, rayon, acetate, viscose, modal, acrylic, wool, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for degrading polyethylene terephthalate is provided. The method includes: providing polyethylene terephthalate material, providing a catalyst composite including a porous carrier having a pore size of 45 ? to 250 ? and a metal compound including at least one selected from a group consisting of zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide, zinc carbonate, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, zirconium oxide, and titanium dioxide, in which the metal oxide is loaded on the porous carrier; and performing a degradation reaction, in which the polyethylene terephthalate material is reacted with the catalyst composite in the presence of an alcohol solvent.

Abstract: A method for producing a decolorized polyester according to the present invention includes: a step of preparing a polyester colored with a colorant, and a decolorizing agent containing a glycol ether-type compound having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of 160° C. or higher; and a step of removing the colorant, by bringing the decolorizing agent into contact at least once with the colored polyester while heating the decolorizing agent to a temperature equal to or lower than a melting point of the polyester, to thereby obtain the decolorized polyester.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a resin that includes a first repeat unit as defined by Structure (I) where A is either a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, R1 is a first bridging group, and is a covalent bond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for depolymerising oxygenated polymer materials, in particular by nucleophilic catalysis and to the use of said method in the recycling of plastic materials and the preparation of aromatic and aliphatic compounds that can be used as fuel, synthesis intermediates, raw materials in the construction sector, and in the petrochemical, electrical, electronic, textile, aeronautical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agrochemical industry. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing fuels, electronic components, plastic polymers, rubber, medicines, vitamins, cosmetics, perfumes, food products, synthetic yarns and fibres, synthetic leathers, glues, pesticides, fertilisers comprising (i) a step of depolymerisation of oxygenated polymer materials according to the method of the invention and optionally (ii) a step of hydrolysis, and optionally (iii) a step of functionalisation and/or defunctionalisation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the formation of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and mono ethylene glycol (MEG). The present invention also relates to the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the recovery of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and mono ethylene glycol (MEG) using sodium methoxide as a catalyst.

Abstract: Poly(acrylic acid)-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) in a feed stream is converted into poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in an extensional flow device. The total energy used to degrade the SAP into PAA is less than about 50 MJ/kg SAP.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for making recyclable polymers and a method for decomposing the polymers back to the monomers which can then be reused. The polymer are stable to aqueous and/or acid conditions and may have a formula II The method to decompose the polymer back to the monomers may comprise heating the polymer in a protic organic solvent.

Abstract: A white polyester film and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method for manufacturing the white polyester film includes: providing a recycled polyester material; physically regenerating a part of the recycled polyester material to form physically regenerated polyester chips having a first intrinsic viscosity; chemically regenerating another part of the recycled polyester material to form chemically regenerated polyester chips having a second intrinsic viscosity less than the first intrinsic viscosity; mixing white regenerated polyester chips, the physically regenerated polyester chips, and the chemically regenerated polyester chips according to a predetermined intrinsic viscosity so as to form a polyester masterbatch material; melting and extruding the polyester masterbatch material to obtain the white polyester film having the predetermined intrinsic viscosity.

Abstract: Poly(acrylic acid)-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) in a feed stream is converted into poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in an extensional flow device. The total energy used to degrade the SAP into PAA is less than about 50 MJ/kg SAP.

Abstract: A white polyester film and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The white polyester film includes a physically recycled polyester resin and a chemically recycled polyester resin. The physically recycled polyester resin is formed by a plurality of physically recycled polyester chips. The chemically recycled polyester resin is formed by a plurality of chemically recycled polyester chips and mixed with the physically recycled polyester resin. The plurality of chemically recycled polyester chips further include chemically recycled electrostatic pinning polyester chips. The chemically recycled electrostatic pinning polyester chips contain electrostatic pinning additives, and the electrostatic pinning additives are metal salts. Expressed in percent by weight based on a total weight of the polyester film, a content of the electrostatic pinning additives in the polyester film is between 0.005% and 0.1% by weight. The polyester film further includes a white additive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for degrading plastic products and the uses thereof. The processes of the invention particularly comprise a step of amorphizing a plastic product prior to a step of depolymerization. The processes of the invention are particularly useful for degrading a plastic product comprising polyethylene terephthalate and/or polylactic acid. The invention also relates to a method of producing monomers and/or oligomers from a plastic product comprising at least one polyester, particularly polyethylene terephthalate and/or polylactic acid, comprising submitting the plastic product both to an amorphization step and to a depolymerization step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a PET regranulate which, after modification of a granulated PET recyclate, has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.95 dl/g measured according to ASTM D 4603, preferably greater than 1.0 dl/g and particularly preferably between 1.1 dl/g and 1.7 dl/g and is suitable for the production of extrusion blow-molded containers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that involve a subcritical water reaction to recycle the cellulose and polyester components of waste cotton and cotton/polyester blend textiles that would otherwise be discarded or disposed of. Specifically, the disclosed methods provide for treatment of the waste textiles to produce advanced materials including cellulose and terephthalic acid (TPA) with a low environmental impact. The cellulose and TPA that are produced are of a high quality allowing for production of regenerated cellulose and regenerated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) suitable for fiber spinning and textile applications.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of separating cellulose and polyester from a material comprising a blend of cellulose and polyester, said method comprising the steps of mixing the material comprising a blend of cellulose and polyester with a first portion of superbase-based ionic liquid to dissolve a first portion of cellulose and form a first cellulose solution and a first residue comprising polyester, removing the first residue comprising polyester from the first cellulose solution, and directing the first cellulose solution to one or more further processing steps.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a process for regenerating a polyester container and a polyester film to be used therein, which not only solve the environmental problems by improving the recyclability of polyester containers, but also are capable of enhancing the quality, yield, and productivity. The process for regenerating a polyester container comprises providing the polyester container and a heat-shrunken polyester film that wraps at least part of the polyester container; crushing the polyester container and the heat-shrunken film to obtain flakes; and thermally treating the flakes to produce regenerated polyester chips, wherein when the flakes are thermally treated at a temperature of 200° C. to 220° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable polyester and use thereof, including components: A) acid components containing following repeating units: 50 to 58 mol % of terephthalic acid A1; 30 to 40 mol % of sebacic acid A2; and 2 to 20 mol % of an aliphatic dibasic acid A3 with a carbon chain length of 6 or less; B) butanediol. In the present invention, in the case of a high content of the terephthalic acid, the biodegradable polyester prepared by introducing an aliphatic dibasic acid unit having a carbon chain length of 6 or less can satisfy the degradation performance and rigidity and improve the tenacity of the material simultaneously.

Abstract: A biodegradable polyester and use thereof includes components: A) acid components containing following repeating units: 40 to 48 mol % of terephthalic acid A1; 38.5 to 50 mol % of sebacic acid A2; and 2 to 20 mol % of an aliphatic dibasic acid A3 with a carbon chain length of 6 or less; B) butanediol. In the case of low content of the terephthalic acid unit, by introducing the aliphatic dibasic acid unit with the carbon chain length of 6 or less, mechanical properties of the material can be significantly improved, and the mechanical property retention is better especially when stored in a humid environment.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a process for regenerating a polyester container and regenerated polyester chips prepared therefrom. The process comprises preparing a polyester container provided with a heat shrinkable film; crushing the container provided with the heat shrinkable film to obtain flakes; and thermally treating the flakes to produce regenerated polyester chips, wherein when the flakes are thermally treated at a temperature of 200° C. to 220° C. for 60 minutes to 120 minutes, the clumping fraction is 5% or less, and the flakes comprise first flakes obtained by crushing the container and second flakes obtained by crushing the heat shrinkable film. It not only solves the environmental problems by improving the recyclability of the polyester container, but also is capable of enhancing the yield and productivity.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of a method of degrading a polymer into oligomers and/or monomers in a solvent, using a catalyst, and a functionalized magnetic particle comprising a catalyst being capable of degrading the polymer into oligomers and/or monomers. The present method and particle provide a high selectivity and a high conversion ratio.

Abstract: A catalyst complex for catalysis of degradation of a polymer material is described. Said complex comprises a magnetic particulate body containing iron oxide at its surface with an average diameter of 150-450 nm, and a plurality of catalytic groups grafted onto the iron oxide surface of the magnetic particulate body, which catalytic groups comprise a bridging moiety and a catalyst entity, wherein the bridging moiety comprises a functional group for adhesion or bonding to the iron oxide surface and a linking group towards the catalyst entity, and wherein the catalyst entity comprises a positively charged aromatic heterocycle moiety, and a negatively charged moiety for balancing the positively charged aromatic moiety.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable film and a process for regenerating a polyester container using the same. The heat shrinkable film comprises a copolymerized polyester resin comprising a diol component and a dicarboxylic acid component and has a heat shrinkage rate of 30% or more in the main shrinkage direction upon thermal treatment at a temperature of 80° C. for 10 seconds and a melting point of 190° C. or higher as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. It not only solves the environmental problems by improving the recyclability of the polyester container, but also is capable of enhancing the yield and productivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for degrading plastic products and the uses thereof. The processes of the invention particularly comprise a step of amorphizing a plastic product prior to a step of depolymerization. The processes of the invention are particularly useful for degrading a plastic product comprising polyethylene terephthalate and/or polylactic acid. The invention also relates to a method of producing monomers and/or oligomers from a plastic product comprising at least one polyester, particularly polyethylene terephthalate and/or polylactic acid, comprising submitting the plastic product both to an amorphization step and to a depolymerization step.

Abstract: A subject-matter of the invention is a process for the depolymerization of a polyester feedstock comprising opaque PET, the said process comprising at least the stages of conditioning, of depolymerization and of separation of the diol and of separation of the liquid effluent rich in monomers, followed by a decolouration stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of a composition comprising thermoplastics comprising introducing the composition into a reactor under reduction of oxygen content of the atmosphere, heating the composition in the presence of a solvent to liquefy the thermoplastics, separating insoluble fractions and recovering the liquefied thermoplastics which process is conducted with an aliphatic hydrocarbon as solvent.

Abstract: A catalyst complex for catalysis of degradation of a polymer material is described. Said complex comprises a magnetic particulate body containing iron oxide at its surface with an average diameter of 150-450 nm, and a plurality of catalytic groups grafted onto the iron oxide surface of the magnetic particulate body, which catalytic groups comprise a bridging moiety and a catalyst entity, wherein the bridging moiety comprises a functional group for adhesion or bonding to the iron oxide surface and a linking group towards the catalyst entity, and wherein the catalyst entity comprises a positively charged aromatic heterocycle moiety, and a negatively charged moiety for balancing the positively charged aromatic moiety.

Abstract: Biodegradable polyesters are made by synthesizing copolymers derived from biodegradable hydroxyacid monomers as well as from hydroxyacid monomers containing a functional group such as an azide group, a halogen group, a thioacetate group, and the like. Preferably, the functionalized biodegradable polyester copolymers are derived from a functionalized hydroxyacid such as a homolog of lactic acid and/or glycolic acid with the copolyester thus containing functional groups on the backbone thereof. These biodegradable polyesters can be utilized wherever biodegradable polyesters are currently used, and also serve as a polymer to which various medical and drug delivery systems can be attached.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for recovering a polyester component and products of a non-polyester component from a fabric containing a polyester blend. The polyester component of the present disclosure is polyethylene terephthalate and the non-polyester component is wool. The process includes hydrolyzing the article using at least one hydrolyzing agent to convert the non-polyester component into products of the non-polyester component and release the polyester component.

Abstract: Provided is a method of depolymerizing polyesters from post-consumer products, such as beverage bottles, to produce a high purity reaction product. For the depolymerization reaction, the polyesters are reacted with an alcohol and an amine organocatalyst at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 250° C. In one application, the use of an organocatalyst with a boiling point significantly lower than the boiling point of the reactant alcohol allows for the ready recycling of the amine organocatalyst. In another application, performing the depolymerization reaction under pressure at a temperature above the boiling point of the alcohol allows for accelerated depolymerization rates and the recovery of the organocatalyst with no further heat input.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a process for producing a high molecular-weight aromatic polycarbonate resin, the process includes mixing a dialcohol compound represented by the following Formula (1) with a first catalyst to obtain a catalyst composition; mixing the obtained catalyst composition with an aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer to obtain a prepolymer mixture; and obtaining a high molecular-weight aromatic polycarbonate by subjecting the obtained prepolymer mixture to heating treatment under reduced pressure condition. In the Formula (1), R1 to R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group and the like. Q represents a divalent group or a single bond.

Abstract: A method for separating materials of various type having different softening temperature values, includes pouring a mixture of flakes and fragments of materials on a movable receiving and conveying device in a uniformly distributed manner and advancing it along a first portion of path; actuating an electromagnetic inductor to heat an outer metal surface by electromagnetic induction, which surface is included in the movable receiving and conveying device to achieve a first lower softening temperature corresponding to a first material of the mixture; subjecting the mixture to a separating action during which a first fraction, remains stuck to the outer metal surface, whereas a remaining second fraction of materials having higher softening temperatures than the first softening temperature freely slips by gravity towards a lower receiving zone.

Abstract: A process for extracting polyester from an article using a solvent system using a compound according to Formula I is described, where wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or alkoxy groups; R3 to R12 are each independently selected from: hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or alkoxy groups; and each of “a” to “e” is a carbon atom, wherein the total linear chain length of a-b-c-d-e is in the range of 2 to 5 carbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to utilizing gasses for fragmenting polymeric materials and simultaneously modifying the surface area molecular structure of the said polymeric materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and associated device for the processing of already preliminarily deformed polymeric materials, preferably without metal reinforcing elements, by utilizing aggressive gasses to both modify the polymeric materials surface area into an activated state and also simultaneously fragment the fed preliminarily deformed polymeric materials into a powder-like form with a relatively increased surface area.

Abstract: Provided is a method of continuous production of a biodegradable aliphatic polyester including continuously performing an esterification reaction of a mixture including an aliphatic dihydroxy compound and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid at a temperature of 185° C. or less to obtain an ester; continuously performing a first polycondensation reaction of the ester to obtain a preliminary polymer; and continuously performing a polycondensation reaction of the preliminary polymer. According to the method of production, an amount of the aliphatic dihydroxy compound used decreases, which is a starting material, thereby decreasing the manufacturing cost of the biodegradable aliphatic polyester.

Abstract: It is provided that a polyester film containing a polyester resin obtained by recycling PET bottles and having high lamination strength and slight unevenness in thickness. A biaxially stretched polyester film comprising 50 wt. % or more and 95 wt. % or less of a polyester resin obtained by recycling PET bottles, wherein the content of an isophthalic acid component in all dicarboxylic acid components in the entire polyester resin composing the polyester film is 0.5 mol % or more and 5.0 mol % or less, and the polyester satisfy the specific intrinsic viscosity, the specific thermal shrinkage rate, the specific refractive index in the thickness direction, and the specific unevenness in thickness.

Abstract: A method of separating foreign polymers from a polymer mixture that comprises amorphous PET particles and crystalline PET particles, wherein the softening point of the foreign polymers is lower than that of the crystalline PET particles, and wherein the method includes separating the amorphous PET particles from the polymer mixture, heating the resulting polymer mixture to a temperature between the softening point of the foreign polymers and that of the crystalline PET particles, and separating the foreign polymers from the resulting polymer mixture. Also, a device for separating foreign polymers from a polymer mixture that comprises amorphous PET particles and crystalline PET particles, the device including a first separation unit for separating the amorphous PET particles from the polymer mixture, and a second separation unit for separating the foreign polymers from the resulting polymer mixture.