Chemical Depolymerization: PET Recycling

Chemical Depolymerization: Advanced PET Plastic Recycling

Aug 04, 2026

• Introduction: Limits of mechanical recycling (color degradation, polymer chain shortening).
• Chemical Depolymerization Pathways:
- Glycolysis: Reacting PET with ethylene glycol to yield BHET monomer.
- Methanolysis: Yielding DMT and ethylene glycol for virgin-grade repolymerization.
- Enzymatic Hydrolysis: Biological catalysis for mixed waste streams.
• Feedstock Purification: Contaminant removal (dyes, additives, non-PET polymers).
• Economics & Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Yield efficiencies, energy inputs, and virgin resin parity.