Cited by 294biodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesPolymer crystallization and propertiesWaste Management and Recycling

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The Chemical Recycling of PLA: A Review

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McKeown, Paul, Jones, Matthew D.·2020·Sustainable Chemistry

DOI 10.3390/suschem1010001

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Abstract

Plastics are an indispensable material with numerous benefits and advantages compared to traditional materials, such as glass and paper. However, their widespread use has caused significant environmental pollution and most plastics are currently nonrenewable. Biobased polymers represent an important step for tackling these issues, however, the end-of-life disposal of such materials needs to be critically considered to allow for a transition to a circular economy for plastics. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an important example of a biobased polymer, which is also biodegradable. However, industrial composting of PLA affords water and carbon dioxide only and in the natural environment, PLA has a slow biodegradation rate. Therefore, recycling processes are important for PLA, particularly chemical recycling, which affords monomers and useful platform chemicals, maintaining the usefulness and value of the material. This review covers the different methods of PLA chemical recycling, highlighting recent trends and advances in the area.

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Authors: McKeown, P., & Jones, M. D.
Affiliations: University of Bath (GB)
Corresponding author: McKeown, Paul
Jones, Matthew D.
ORCID: McKeown, Paul
Jones, Matthew D.
Venue: Sustainable Chemistry
Publisher: MDPI AG
Published: 2020-05-02
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-22
ISSN: 2673-4079 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3390/suschem1010001
OpenAlex: W3021978864
Cited by: 294
References: 150
Citations by year: 2026: 41 · 2025: 66 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 67 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 3
FWCI: 2.31
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
dx.doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: Sustainable Chemistry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Funders: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/P016405/1)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer crystallization and properties
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Waste Management and Recycling
Keywords: polylactic acid, chemical recycling, bio-based polymers, biodegradable plastics, monomer recovery, circular economy, plastic waste, end-of-life plastics, composting, biodegradation

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