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Chemical recycling via solvolysis processes (glycolysis, hydrolysis, etc.)

Chemical depolymerisation by breaking down the polymer chains by means of chemical agents, a solvent and generally in the presence of a catalyst, under controlled process conditions. It is applicable to condensation polymers, such as polyesters, PU, PA… and the main products are monomers suitable to be synthesised into new polymers and therefore used in new plastics. Depending on the agent used, the processing routes are:    

  • Glycolysis: a process that uses glycol as a chemical agent in the depolymerisation of polyesters, which can be accelerated by the addition of catalysts.  
  • Hydrolysis: depolymerisation process using water as a chemical agent in the presence of acidic or basic catalysts.  
  • Aminolysis: depolymerisation process using amines as a chemical agent.  
  • Ammonolysis: depolymerisation process using ammonia as a chemical agent.  
  • Acidolysis: depolymerisation process using organic or inorganic acids to carry out the depolymerisation reaction.  

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