A new journey of plastics: Towards a circular and low carbon future

Abstract

The plastic pollution to the environment, especially to the ocean, has been draw a lot of attention from the public which results some negative impact to the entire value chain of plastic industry. Circularity and low carbon have been perceived as the solution to tackle these challenges. Efforts required from the feedstock, polymerization, product design and recycling, are all need to be considered. Shifting to the low carbon feedstock is key to reduce the total emission of plastics, while make it recyclable is crucial to achieve low carbon emission for the entire life cycle of plastics. Mechanical recycling aims to make more post-consumer recycles (PCR) being used to some high-end applications to incentivize more plastics being collected and regenerated. The advanced recycling is the last stop for those unrecyclable, avoiding them to the undesired incineration or landfill, and generate value through the pyrolysis or gasification process. The scale is key to make it profitable and sustainable.

Keywords

• Low carbon feedstock
• Mechanical recycling
• Advanced recycling
• Mono-material design
• Electrification