Types of Plastic Recycling: Innovation and Advanced Technologies
The plastics sector is constantly evolving due to the increasing demands for environmental sustainability and quality standards, driven by both processing companies and end consumers. In this context, Fych positions itself as a strategic partner for companies facing the challenges arising from these changes, especially with the entry into force of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Law.
Advanced Recycling Technologies at Fych
At Fych, we provide recycling solutions through advanced technologies that transform these challenges into opportunities. Our approach contributes to:
- Optimize operational efficiency.
- Reduce environmental impact.
- Increase the economic profitability of our clients.
Innovative Approach of Fych
We develop and apply innovative technologies such as the delamination and decontamination technology for the recovery of hard-to-recycle plastics, such as multilayer packaging or materials with odors and toxic substancesThese methods, which are part of the Mechanical recycling we use at Fych, aim to prevent these materials from ending up in landfills by transforming them into valuable resources that generate economic value.
Types of Plastic Recycling
The following are the main methods of plastic recycling, their characteristics, and their applications.
Mechanical Recycling
. Mechanical recycling is one of the most widely used methods today due to its simplicity and cost efficiency. This process involves transforming plastic waste into new materials without altering their chemical structure. First, the plastics are collected and sorted to ensure proper separation based on their type and quality. Next, the materials are shredded and subjected to a washing process that removes impurities such as food residues, adhesives, or contaminants.
Once cleaned, the shredded plastics s are melted and molded into pellets. These pellets serve as raw material for the production of new plastic products, effectively closing the recycling loop.
Advantages and Limitations
Advantages | Limitations |
Simple and economical process. | Not suitable for degraded plastics. |
Widely available infrastructure. | Difficulty in processing multi-layer packaging. |
Relatively low environmental impact. | Material quality decreases after several cycles. |
Chemical Recycling
. Chemical recycling is based on the breakdown of plastics at the molecular level through advanced processes such as pyrolysis, gasification, or hydrolysis.These methods break down the long polymer chains that make up plastics into smaller units, such as monomers or basic chemical compounds. Once obtained, these components can be purified and reused for the production of high-quality plastics or even transformed into other useful chemical products, such as fuels or industrial raw materials.
This technique is particularly effective for processing complex plastics,such as multilayer materials or those containing contaminants that hinder mechanical recycling. By breaking down plastic into its basic elements, Chemical recycling manages to remove impurities and generate materials with properties comparable to the original ones.
Advantages and Limitations
Advantages | Limitations |
Multilayer plastic treatment. | High investment in technology and energy. |
Production of high-quality materials. | Operational complexity. |
Reduction of contaminants and impurities. | Environmental impact due to energy consumption. |
Physical or Dissolution Recycling
. Physical recycling , also known as dissolution recycling, uses specific solvents to selectively dissolve the polymers present in a particular plastic . This process allows the separation of polymers from other components, such as additives, pigments, or contaminants, without altering the molecular structure of the material. Once dissolved, the polymer can be precipitated and purified, resulting in a high-quality final product that can be used in the manufacture of new plastics.
This method is particularly useful for recovering mixed or contaminated plastics that cannot be recycled through mechanical methods. Additionally, by preserving the polymer structure, dissolution recycling allows for the retention of the material's properties, expanding reuse possibilities and reducing the waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators.
Advantages and Limitations
Advantages | Limitations |
Recovery of contaminated plastics. | Dependence on specific solvents. |
Obtaining purer materials. | Limited commercial availability. |
Complementarity with other methods. | High implementation costs. |
Complementarity Between Recycling Methods
Currently, there is widespread debate about whether Mechanical recycling is capable of meeting the growing demands for the treatment of complex plastics, such as multilayer materialsor if it is essential to enhance the use of Chemical recycling to tackle the challenges of the circular economy at both the national and European levels. This dilemma should not be seen as an exclusive choice between the two methods, but rather as an opportunity to strategically combine them.
. Mechanical recycling can play a key role as a preliminary stage, conditioning plastic waste and removing surface impurities. This facilitates subsequent chemical processing, optimizing its performance and reducing operating costs. On the other hand, physical recycling, with its ability to process mixed or contaminated plastics, provides a complementary dimension that broadens recovery possibilities.
The synergy between these methods allows for the maximum utilization of the advantages of each technology, resulting in both qualitative and quantitative improvements in recycling processes. This integration not only increases operational efficiency but also significantly contributes to reducing environmental impact, aligning with the principles of the circular economy and global sustainability goals.
Conclusion
Advancements in recycling technologies are crucial to addressing the sustainability challenges in the plastic sector. At Fych, we combine advanced technologies with an innovative vision to provide solutions that not only meet market demands but also contribute to the development of a sustainable circular economy.
Our commitment to research and the development of processes such as delamination and decontamination technology positions us as leaders in the recycling of complex plastics, transforming waste into resources with both economic and environmental value.
