Page 44 - Plastics News March 2025
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FEATURE NEWS
♦ Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – 8 particles Conclusion: The Future of Microplastics Re-
search
This precise identification enables scientists to
understand not only the quantity of microplas- The application of FT-IR imaging in microplastics
tics but also their potential risks based on poly- research represents a significant leap forward
mer type. For instance, PVC can release harmful in environmental monitoring. Its combination of
additives, while PE and PET degrade differently, high-resolution imaging, chemical specificity, and
impacting ecosystems in unique ways. automated data processing allows scientists to
detect and identify microplastics with unprec-
One of the standout features of this approach is edented accuracy.
the use of Principal Components Analysis (PCA),
a statistical method that enhances data interpre- Also, as microplastic contamination continues
tation. Through PCA, researchers rapidly classi- to rise globally, advanced technologies like FT-
fied microplastic types based on their IR spectra IR imaging will be critical for tracking pollution,
without manual sorting. This not only improved informing regulatory decisions, and ultimately
efficiency but also reduced human error in data protecting ecosystems and public health. Under-
analysis. standing microplastics through detailed charac-
terization is the first step toward mitigating their
Moreover, the data seamlessly integrates with impact on our planet.
third-party microplastics analysis software, such
as Purency and siMPle, offering additional flex- Source – Plastics Engineering
ibility for researchers handling large datasets.
Advancing Microplastics Characterization
with FT-IR Microscopy
global plastic production sitting at over 400 mil-
lion tons, and the environmental concerns that
come along with that level of usage, reducing
plastic pollution is just as important. Especially
because only one-tenth of all plastic waste is re-
cycled.
Hydrogenolysis, hydrocracking, and other cata-
lytic recycling techniques help to break down
plastic waste with simpler components using cat-
alysts. While traditional recycling involves melt-
here is no denying how useful, and impor- ing and re-moulding plastics and turning them
tant, plastic materials have become in al- into lower-quality materials, these new types of
Tmost all human activities. But with yearly
44 PLASTICS NEWS March 2025
