Chemical Recycling of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Abstract
This paper reviews the state of the art in the field of chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Advantages of the chemical recycling of PET, the theoretical basis of the ester bond cleavage, and a wide spectrum of degrading agents and final products are presented. Chemical processes applied in polymer recycling are divided into six groups: methanolysis, glycolysis, hydrolysis, ammonolysis, aminolysis, and other methods. Numerous possibilities for the utilization of waste PET as a very useful raw chemical material are described on the basis of literature. A comparison of chemical recycling methods is carried out. The following aspects were taken into consideration: (i) flexibility in utilizing a variety of waste types, (ii) conditions necessary for degradation including safety requirements, (iii) economic aspects, and (iv) product versatility. A total of 108 references including 46 patents are cited in this paper.
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Different solvolysis processes of PETs and bisphenol A (BPA)-type PCs have been developed to recover suitable monomers for the production of new PETs and PCs.
“Different solvolysis processes of PETs and bisphenol A (BPA)-type PCs have been developed to recover suitable monomers for the production of new PETs and PCs.402,403”
From Catalysis as an Enabling Science for Sustainable Polymers (2018) · cites this paper as [403]
Glycolysis of PET by a variety of metal or organic catalysts yields bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalester (BHET) as the major product.
“Glycolysis of PET by a variety of metal or organic catalysts yields bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalester (BHET) as the major product.403,407”
From Catalysis as an Enabling Science for Sustainable Polymers (2018) · cites this paper as [403]
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- Authors
- Paszun, D., & Spychaj, T.
- Affiliations
- University of Szczecin (PL)
- ORCID
- Spychaj, Tadeusz
- Venue
- Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 1997-04-01
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1373-1383
- ISSN
- 0888-5885 (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5045
- OpenAlex
- W1975202859
- Cited by
- 661
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 31 · 2025: 48 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 20
- FWCI
- 11.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer crystallization and properties
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Waste Management and Recycling
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
- Keywords
- polyethylene terephthalate, chemical recycling, ester bond cleavage, methanolysis, glycolysis, hydrolysis, ammonolysis, aminolysis, PET waste, polymer degradation, recycled raw materials
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