INS13-1066
Mechanochemical depolymerization of hard to recycle plastics as opportunity for a circular economy
Topic
S13. Korea-Germany Polymer Symposium 2026: “Pioneering the Future of Polymeric Materials and Bridging Innovation in Sustainable Technologies”
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
16:50 - 17:15
Room 203
Session Chairs
Sehoon KIM
Andre GRÖSCHEL
Presenter(s)
Christian Schmitt (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
The transition towards a circular plastics economy requires recycling technologies capable of processing waste streams that are currently considered difficult or impossible to recycle by conventional mechanical methods. These materials include mixed plastic waste, multilayer packaging, contaminated post-consumer plastics, polyurethanes, fiber-reinforced composites, and engineering polymers from automotive and textile applications. While chemical recycling technologies such as pyrolysis and solvolysis offer promising routes to recover value from these materials, their widespread implementation is often limited by high energy demands, solvent consumption and sensitivity to contaminants. Mechanochemical depolymerization has recently emerged as a potential alternative, utilizing mechanical energy to cleave polymer chains under solvent-free conditions in the presence of catalysts and depolymerization agents. This approach may offer increased tolerance toward heterogeneous waste streams while reducing process complexity and environmental impact.
First results from the mechanochemical recycling of representative polymer systems in a ball mill with different catalysts and depolymerization agents were promising. Initial investigations focused on polymers such as polyurethanes, polyamides and polylactic acid. Process parameters such as milling intensity, reaction time, ball size, and catalyst selection were systematically varied to evaluate their influence on polymer conversion and product formation. Recovered products were characterized using spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques to determine depolymerization efficiency and product quality. These findings support the potential of mechanochemical depolymerization as an energy-efficient and scalable route for the valorization of currently underutilized plastic waste streams and establish a foundation for future process optimization, scale-up studies, and environmental assessment.
First results from the mechanochemical recycling of representative polymer systems in a ball mill with different catalysts and depolymerization agents were promising. Initial investigations focused on polymers such as polyurethanes, polyamides and polylactic acid. Process parameters such as milling intensity, reaction time, ball size, and catalyst selection were systematically varied to evaluate their influence on polymer conversion and product formation. Recovered products were characterized using spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques to determine depolymerization efficiency and product quality. These findings support the potential of mechanochemical depolymerization as an energy-efficient and scalable route for the valorization of currently underutilized plastic waste streams and establish a foundation for future process optimization, scale-up studies, and environmental assessment.
