(266d) Closing the Loop: Approaches to Improve Plastics Circularity

In this presentation, approaches to improve plastics circularity will be discussed. In one case, novel high performance polyethylene resins were developed to allow for packaging downgauging. These product innovations also allow structures to be more recyclable. A second area to be discussed will be on approaches to counterbalance post-consumer recycled (PCR) deficiencies by well-controlled waste collection systems, proprietary performance boosters, and advanced processing to remove contaminants. These Dow’s REVOLOOP^TM resins create a second life for plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, incinerators, or as litter in oceans and the environment. Even the best post-consumer recycled (PCR) pellets are inherently inferior and can only be down-cycled or used at less than 100% of the virgin resin counterpart. REVOLOOP™ resins are the result of innovations in PCR characterization, new molecular design, and cost-effective manufacturing at a world-scale. This polyethylene (PE) PCR can be up-cycled by designing tailored performance boosters to recover the performance lost due to PCR incorporation. In my talk, I will focus on the molecular, processing, and characterization advances leading to these sustainable plastics.