Page 71 - Plastics News Issue November - 2024
P. 71
IN THE NEWS
then formed again. This arrangement is flu- ers. Techniques are also being developed
id, meaning that the conditions under which for the recycling, by means of catalyst and
they are placed, for instance, temperature other chemical treatments, of thermoset
or pH, can be altered to enable reuse of the polymers by ‘unzipping’ them back into
plastic and maintain the structure integrity. depolymerized monomers or other useful
Although the vitrimer technology is not per- chemicals. This process, however, remains
fect yet, it might be a good start towards the under development and might make recy-
development of recyclable thermoset plas- cling of thermosets as a closed-loop system
tics. where the material is recycled repeatedly
without sacrificing quality.
2. Bio-Based Thermoset Resins: Another new
stream being pursued is that of making ther-
mosets based on bio derived matrix materi-
als. Epoxy resin based thermosets by default 4. Additive Manufacturing with Recyclable
have attributes connected with their petro- Thermosets: 3D printing or known as Additive
genic origination, which is typical for tradi- manufacturing is nowadays used when creat-
tional thermosets. Instead of using petroleum ing thermoset plastics with recyclable features.
based products, thermosets can be formed This paper indicates that through formulations
with bio based feed stocks like the plant oil of recyclable thermosets for 3D printing manu-
or protein with low carbon foot prints. Also, facturing, innovative functional parts with high-
some bio-based thermosets are developed performance characteristics can be developed
as biodegradable or recyclable thermosets, by special or niche applications, then recovered
which respond to the environmental prob- and recycled once their lifespan is over. This ap-
lems of traditional thermoset plastics. Fur- proach looks quite promising towards its appli-
ther, there are other bio-sourced polymers cation in various industries especially aerospace
particularly bio-sourced thermosets which and automotive industries where material prop-
have been created including lignin, a natu- erties are highly critical. Incorporating recyclable
ral polymer in plant tissues from which bio- thermoset resins and further development of 3D
based thermosets have been synthesized printing, this concept could become valuable by
with higher tendencies of bio deterioration manufacturing useful parts that can be recycled,
compared to earlier related products. instead of large amounts of ‘throw away’ parts.
3. Chemical Recycling Techniques: Chemical Opportunities in Different Industries
recycling is a processing technique that in- 1. Automotive and Aerospace Industries: Au-
volves decomposing polymers into basic tomotive and Aerospace are recognized
monomers in order to restructure polymers. among the key consumers of the thermoset
While some types of thermosets are more plastics. Be it the car body parts; some air-
difficult to recycle chemically, compared to plane wings – these materials are selected
mechanically; chemical recycling is less haz- for being both – light, but strong. But auto-
ardous and offers ways of disposal of waste. mobiles in particular, when they reach their
Methods are also being invented for the re- useful life and other aircraft produce a lot
processing by means of a catalyst and oth-
of waste. About this, recyclable thermo-
November 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 71
