Recycling of multilayer packaging waste with sustainable solvents

De-pulped multilayer packaging waste containing low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and aluminium was sepa-rated into its single components by using sustainable solvents capable of solubilizing LDPE under mild condi-tions. LDPE and aluminium of high purity and quality were recovered with biodiesel, 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) and cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME). The recovered LDPE has been characterized by thermal and mechanical analysis, confirming its similarity to the polymer before the dissolution process, while the recovered aluminium was analysed by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling, confirming the non -oxidative behaviour of the tested solvents. The mass balance of the recovered materials and solvents at the end of the dissolution process was close to 100%.

Automated summary

De-pulped multilayer packaging waste containing LDPE and aluminium was separated into its components using sustainable solvents. High purity LDPE and aluminium were recovered using biodiesel, 2-MeTHF, and CPME. The recovered LDPE showed similarity to the original polymer, while analysis confirmed the non-oxidative behavior of the solvents. The mass balance of the recovered materials and solvents was close to 100%.