Chemical Recycling of Polymers

Dear Colleagues,

The plastic economy requires a shift towards a more circular approach, in which the value of the material is recovered rather than lost at the end of its useful life. While mechanical recycling options are available, these are generally associated with some loss of material properties and down-cycling. Compostable and biodegradable plastics are also becoming more common, but these represent processes involving a complete loss of chemical and energetic value. Therefore, the development of chemical or tertiary recycling technologies is expected to play a key role in the transition to a circular approach of plastic use and waste management. This Special Issue will focus on methods of chemical recycling of plastics which aim to produce monomers, for the production of new plastics, or value-added chemicals. Papers concerning chemical recycling methods including, but not limited to, hydrolysis, alcoholysis and pyrolysis are welcome.

Dr. Paul McKeown
Dr. Simoní Da Ros
Dr. Luis Roman
Guest Editors