New Polymer Recycling Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

The growing accumulation of plastic waste presents one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time, demanding innovative solutions in polymer recycling and sustainable material design. This Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research spanning mechanical recycling, chemical depolymerization, enzymatic degradation, and advanced upcycling strategies. Contributions highlight the role of compatibilizers, polymer blends, and composites in enhancing the performance of recycled materials, while also exploring dynamic covalent networks and cleavable chemistries that enable circular lifecycles for traditionally non-recyclable polymers. In parallel, advances in biobased and biodegradable polymers, renewable feedstocks, and resource recovery provide complementary pathways toward reducing reliance on virgin fossil-derived plastics. Beyond materials science, this Special Issue also emphasizes life-cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, policy frameworks, and circular economy models, offering a holistic perspective on the transition toward sustainable polymer management. By integrating scientific innovation with systemic approaches, the collected works chart a pathway toward scalable, efficient, and circular solutions for the polymer economy.

Dr. Marc Marín-Genescà
Guest Editor

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