The Chemical Recycling of Polyesters for a Circular Plastics Economy: Challenges and Emerging Opportunities

Whilst plastics have played an instrumental role in human development, growing environmental concerns have led to increasing public scrutiny and demands for outright bans. This has stimulated considerable research into renewable alternatives, and more recently, the development of alternative waste management strategies. Herein, the aim was to highlight recent developments in the catalytic chemical recycling of two commercial polyesters, namely poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The concept of chemical recycling is first introduced, and associated opportunities/challenges are discussed within the context of the governing depolymerisation thermodynamics. Chemical recycling methods for PLA and PET are then discussed, with a particular focus on upcycling and the use of metal-based catalysts. Finally, the attention shifts to the emergence of new materials with the potential to modernise the plastics economy. Emerging opportunities and challenges are discussed within the context of industrial feasibility.

Automated summary

Plastics have been crucial in human development, but increasing environmental concerns have raised public scrutiny and calls for bans. This has led to the development of renewable alternatives and new waste management strategies, with a focus on catalytic chemical recycling of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The emergence of new materials has the potential to modernize the plastics economy, but industrial feasibility and challenges remain.