FACE MASK RECYCLING
Pilot project by Sabic, P&G, Fraunhofer for closed-loop recycling of single-use masks
 The masks collected by P&G were sent to Fraunhofer for processing in a dedicated research pyrolysis plant (Photo: Sabic) |
Chemicals and plastics giant Sabic (Riyadh / Saudi Arabia; www.sabic.com), has collaborated with the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT (Oberhausen / Germany; www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de) and consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble (P&G, Cincinnati, Ohio / USA; www.us.pg.com) on a circular economy pilot project to explore the feasibility of closed-loop recycling of single-use facemasks.
As part of the project, P&G collected used masks worn by its employees or given to visitors at its manufacturing and research sites in Germany. These were then sent to Fraunhofer for further processing in a dedicated research pyrolysis plant. Alexander Hofmann, head of the department for recycling management at Fraunhofer UMSICHT, said, “In our solution, the masks were first automatically shredded and then thermochemically converted to pyrolysis oil. Pyrolysis breaks the plastic down into molecular fragments under pressure and heat, which will also destroy any residual pollutants or pathogens, such as the coronavirus. In this way it is possible to produce feedstock for new plastics in virgin quality that can also meet the requirements for medical products.”
The pyrolysis oil was sent to Sabic, where it was used as feedstock to make polypropylene. The resin was produced using the mass-balance approach to combine alternative feedstocks with fossil-based precursors in the production process. To close the loop, the PP was supplied to P&G, where it was processed into non-woven fibre material.
As part of the project, P&G collected used masks worn by its employees or given to visitors at its manufacturing and research sites in Germany. These were then sent to Fraunhofer for further processing in a dedicated research pyrolysis plant. Alexander Hofmann, head of the department for recycling management at Fraunhofer UMSICHT, said, “In our solution, the masks were first automatically shredded and then thermochemically converted to pyrolysis oil. Pyrolysis breaks the plastic down into molecular fragments under pressure and heat, which will also destroy any residual pollutants or pathogens, such as the coronavirus. In this way it is possible to produce feedstock for new plastics in virgin quality that can also meet the requirements for medical products.”
The pyrolysis oil was sent to Sabic, where it was used as feedstock to make polypropylene. The resin was produced using the mass-balance approach to combine alternative feedstocks with fossil-based precursors in the production process. To close the loop, the PP was supplied to P&G, where it was processed into non-woven fibre material.
Research continues
Mark Vester, global circular economy leader at Sabic, said, “The high-quality circular PP polymer obtained in this pilot clearly demonstrates that closed-loop recycling is achievable through active collaboration of players from across the value chain.” The transferability of advanced recycling to other feedstocks and chemical products is being further researched at the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy (CCPE).
Careless use and disposal of masks has been raising environmental concerns since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In May 2020, a UK university warned of the generation of thousands of tonnes of plastics waste from disposable facemasks. As a result, companies in UK and France launched mask recycling initiatives towards the end of 2020 (see Plasteurope.com of 21.05.2020 and 25.11.2020).
Earlier this year, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark and Princeton University also called for fast action to address pollution from SUP masks (see Plasteurope.com of 23.03.2021).
Careless use and disposal of masks has been raising environmental concerns since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. In May 2020, a UK university warned of the generation of thousands of tonnes of plastics waste from disposable facemasks. As a result, companies in UK and France launched mask recycling initiatives towards the end of 2020 (see Plasteurope.com of 21.05.2020 and 25.11.2020).
Earlier this year, researchers at the University of Southern Denmark and Princeton University also called for fast action to address pollution from SUP masks (see Plasteurope.com of 23.03.2021).
23.06.2021 Plasteurope.com [247872-0]
Published on 23.06.2021