Solvent-based plastic recycling technologies

Xu, Zhuo [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000284427604); Sanchez-Rivera, Kevin [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)]; Granger, Charles [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000201607520); Zhou, Panzheng [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)]; Munguia-Lopez, Aurora del Carmen [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000163473874); Ikegwu, Ugochukwu M. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)]; Avraamidou, Styliani [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)]; Zavala, Victor M. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)]; Van Lehn, Reid C. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)]; Bar-Ziv, Ezra [Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI (United States)]; De Meester, Steven [Ghent University, Kortrijk (Belgium)]; Huber, George W. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000278386893)

doi:10.1038/s44286-025-00247-1

DOE OSTI · 3020437

Solvent-based plastic recycling technologies

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Abstract

Solvent-based recycling approaches are receiving industrial and academic interest for their ability to produce high-quality plastic resins from a variety of plastic waste sources without breaking the polymer chains. Here we highlight the development of solvent-based technologies, focusing on the underlying principles, techno-economic and life-cycle analyses, and commercialization. The basic steps in solvent-based recycling include plastic size reduction, plastic dissolution, filtration or centrifugation, and optional additional cleaning steps such as adsorption, precipitation and solvent removal. Impurities that build up in the solvent must also be removed. The goal of solvent-based technologies is to produce a high-quality resin without plastic contaminants or other added substances. Disadvantages of these solvent-based technologies are their physicochemical complexity and the difficulty in scaling up to achieve continuous operations with high polymer and solvent yields and throughputs. As a result, chemical engineering is thus critical in bringing solvent-based recycling technologies to market.

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Xu, Zhuo [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000284427604), Sanchez-Rivera, Kevin [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)], Granger, Charles [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000201607520), Zhou, Panzheng [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)], Munguia-Lopez, Aurora del Carmen [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000163473874), Ikegwu, Ugochukwu M. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)], Avraamidou, Styliani [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)], Zavala, Victor M. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)], Van Lehn, Reid C. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)], Bar-Ziv, Ezra [Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI (United States)], De Meester, Steven [Ghent University, Kortrijk (Belgium)], Huber, George W. [University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000278386893). 2025-07-22. Solvent-based plastic recycling technologies. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44286-025-00247-1

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