New methods to remove volatile organic compounds from post-consumer plastic waste

While the annual European demand for polyolefins is 25 million tonnes, only 3 tonnes of recycled find their place in market, despite collecting 15 post-consumer every year. Brand owners care products are showing interest using plastics packaging. However, there a general concern these materials, as polymers can contain unwanted substances that may expose consumer to health risks or make packaging unattractive. Accordingly, presence contaminants narrows market opportunity applications with low-quality requirements and which product not direct contact consumer. Though mechanical recycling most widespread solution presents limitations terms decontamination, superficial removed. Thereby, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) migrated polymer matrix remain inside. Consequently, need purify increase share. This study focuses on removing VOCs from HDPE through two innovative methods applied first time this field, steam stripping polyethylene glycol (PEG) extraction. The methodology implemented analyze was HS-SPME-GC/MS. Both showed decrease above 70% content compared extrusion-degassing. Moreover, were hot air stripping, new technology developed at an industrial scale removal VOCs. As result, improved efficiency reducing overall stripping. PEG extraction method lowered polar further than Additionally, none technologies modified melting flow index.