Six Experts Discuss Innovations in Sustainable Products from Plastic Waste

In a Thermo Fisher Scientific webinar series titled “Sustainable Products from Plastic Waste,” six experts share insights on recycling plastic. They focus on challenges and new technologies. The speakers mix science and industry points. They stress that efficient recycling boosts a circular economy.

Understanding Plastic Waste Types and Recycling Challenges

Dr. Madina Shamsuyeva on Recyclate Classifications

Dr. Shamsuyeva divides plastic waste into two clear types:

• Post-industrial waste is created during manufacturing. It stays pure and its makeup is known. This purity helps recycling.
• Post-consumer waste comes from used products. Its materials mix and contaminants join in. This mix makes recycling hard.

She explains that clear labels build trust. Good labels set clear recycling goals.

Polymer Behavior and Measurement Techniques

Dr. Ophélie Ranquet on Polymer Rheology

Dr. Ranquet shows how polymers act using the Weissenberg effect. She compares polymers to spaghetti that climbs a fork when rotated. This behavior can stretch measurements.

She recommends an oscillatory shear mode. With a short cycle rest between twists, the material relaxes. This method gives results that are more accurate for making sustainable polymers.

Innovations in Mechanical Recycling and Real-Time Analysis

Felix Mehrens & Niklas Rode on Recycling Process Monitoring

They point out that recycled polymers change when they degrade or mix. This mix creates hurdles for quality.

They monitor the material with real-time tools like Raman spectroscopy during extrusion. The tool reads what is inside the mix. Yet, rising temperatures shift the spectra. Models must use exact conditions to keep scans reliable.

Specialized Recycling of Marine Plastic Waste

Dr. Annika Völp on Challenges in Recycling Ocean Plastics

Dr. Völp notes that marine plastics face heavy contamination and damage. She studies blends of ocean plastics with virgin low-density polyethylene (PE).

The blend tends to gain thermal stability. But very degraded polyamide (PA) in the mix risks quality. Her work shows that strict sorting and monitoring remain key.

Hybrid Chemical-Mechanical Recycling: The Future of Plastics

Professor João Maia on Scaling Mixed Plastic Waste Recycling

Chemical recycling makes high-quality recyclates. Yet, small plant size, high costs, high energy use, and CO₂ emissions slow it down.

Professor Maia backs a hybrid approach. This method pairs chemical and mechanical recycling with reactive extrusion. The approach boosts throughput and fights contamination better than old ways.

Conclusion

This expert-led series shows that plastic recycling is complex. Experts break down material types, behavior, and processing steps. Their views stress that sustainable products need mixed methods, real-time checks, and careful sorting. Together, these steps can raise recyclate quality and build a true circular plastic economy.

References:
Thermo Fisher Scientific – Materials Characterization. (2025, October 2). Six Experts Talk Sustainable Products from Plastic Waste. AZoM. https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=24662

Enhance your knowledge on sustainable plastic recycling by watching the full webinar series. Learn detailed methods and innovations that drive the circular economy forward.

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