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Polymers
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Process and Technology for Enhancing the Sustainability, Recycling and Circularity...
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Process and Technology for Enhancing the Sustainability, Recycling and Circularity of Polymer Composites Materials

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 4870

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Valente

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
2. INSTM Reference Laboratory for Engineering of Surface Treatments, UdR Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: materials engineering; polymer and composite materials; manufacturing technologies for composite materials; mechanical and technological characterization of composites; sustainable design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francesca Nanni

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Guest Editor
Department of Enterprise Engineering “Mario Lucertini”, INSTM RU Roma-Tor Vergata, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: material engineering; composite materials and nanocomposites; nanofibers and nanofillers in polymer matrices; self-aiding materials; electro-magnetic materials (shielding, absorbing)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Gianluca Cicala

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: polymers; composites; additive manufacturing; sustainability
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Dr. Matteo Sambucci

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
2. INSTM Reference Laboratory for Engineering of Surface Treatments, UdR Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: cement-based composites; alkali-activated materials; recycled aggregates and waste fibers for cement-based materials; fiber-reinforced polymer composites; bio-based and bio-degradable polymer blends and composites; implementation of natural or recycled fibers; fiber–matrix compatibilization; additive manufacturing; life cycle assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The problem of waste and end-of-life components has become increasingly urgent, requiring us to manage and to consider different resources for future applications. The above is especially true for thermoset matrix composites, which have been widely distributed in various industrial fields, such as aeronautics, power generation, marine, automotive, construction, etc., due to their excellent mechanical properties.

Therefore, this is attracting the attention of the scientific world, which is aiming at finding new solutions and process methods to make them more environmentally sustainable, recyclable and circular.

With this Special Issue, we hope to collect some interesting contributions in this field.

Dr. Marco Valente
Dr. Francesca Nanni
Prof. Dr. Gianluca Cicala
Dr. Matteo Sambucci
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • thermoset and thermoplastic composite materials
  • more eco-sustainable matrix
  • eco-sustainable process of production
  • solution for thermoset waste processing
  • process and applications for production of secondary raw materials
  • solution for circularity of EoL waste

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 2854 KiB  
Article
From Waste to Worth: Innovative Pyrolysis of Textile Waste into Microporous Carbons for Enhanced Environmental Sustainability
by Anastasia Anceschi, Francesco Trotta, Marina Zoccola, Fabrizio Caldera, Giuliana Magnacca and Alessia Patrucco
Polymers 2025, 17(3), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030341 - 26 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1560
Abstract
The generation of synthetic textile waste is a growing global concern, with an unsustainable rate of expansion. This study addresses the growing issue of synthetic textile waste by converting polyester–polyurethane (PET-PU) post-industrial scraps into microporous carbon materials, which can be utilized for wastewater [...] Read more.
The generation of synthetic textile waste is a growing global concern, with an unsustainable rate of expansion. This study addresses the growing issue of synthetic textile waste by converting polyester–polyurethane (PET-PU) post-industrial scraps into microporous carbon materials, which can be utilized for wastewater treatment. Using a straightforward pyrolysis process, we achieved a high specific surface area (632 m2/g) and narrow porosity range (2–10 Å) without requiring chemical activation. The produced carbon materials effectively adsorbed methylene blue and orange II dyes, with maximum adsorption capacities of 169.49 mg/g and 147.56 mg/g, respectively. Kinetic studies demonstrated that adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model, indicating strong interactions between the adsorbent and dyes. Regeneration tests showed that the C-PET-PU could be reused for multiple cycles with over 85% retention of its original adsorption capacity. Preliminary life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) analysis highlighted the environmental and economic advantages of this upcycling approach, showing a reduced global warming potential and a production cost of approximately 1.65 EUR/kg. These findings suggest that transforming PET-PU waste into valuable adsorbents provides a sustainable solution for the circular economy and highlights the potential for broader applications in environmental remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process and Technology for Enhancing the Sustainability, Recycling and Circularity of Polymer Composites Materials)
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19 pages, 8934 KiB  
Article
Chemical Recycling of Bio-Based Epoxy Matrices Based on Precursors Derived from Waste Flour: Recycled Polymers Characterization
by Lorena Saitta, Sandro Dattilo, Giuliana Rizzo, Claudio Tosto, Ignazio Blanco, Francesca Ferrari, Gloria Anna Carallo, Fabrizio Cafaro, Antonio Greco and Gianluca Cicala
Polymers 2025, 17(3), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17030335 - 26 Jan 2025
Viewed by 762
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the chemical recycling of two different fully recyclable bio-based epoxy matrices based on epoxidized precursors derived from waste flour. The key for their recyclability relies on the use of a cleavable hardener. In fact, the latter contains a [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the chemical recycling of two different fully recyclable bio-based epoxy matrices based on epoxidized precursors derived from waste flour. The key for their recyclability relies on the use of a cleavable hardener. In fact, the latter contains a ketal group in its chemical structure, which is cleavable in mild acetic conditions, so allowing for the breakage of the cured network. The recyclability was successfully assessed for both the two investigated formulations, with a recycling process yield ranging from 80 up to 85%. The recycled polymers presented a Tg up to 69.0 ± 0.4 °C, determined by mean of DMA and DSC analysis. Next, the TGA revealed that the thermal decomposition of the specimens primarily occurred around 320 °C and attributed to the breaking of C–O and C–N bonds in cross-linked networks. In the end, the chemical characterizations were carried out by mean of Py-GC/MS, MALDI-TOF-MS and FT-IR ATR. In fact, these analyses allowed for investigating how the recycled polymer’s structure changed, starting from the initial epoxy systems. These insights on their chemical structure could further allow for identifying re-use strategies in accordance with a circular economy approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process and Technology for Enhancing the Sustainability, Recycling and Circularity of Polymer Composites Materials)
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15 pages, 6547 KiB  
Article
Green Recycling for Polypropylene Components by Material Extrusion
by Roberto Spina and Nicola Gurrado
Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3502; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243502 - 16 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1056
Abstract
High volumetric shrinkage and rheological behavior of polypropylene (PP) are the main problems that make material extrusion (MEX) uncommon for this material. The complexity is raised when recycled materials are used. This research covered different aspects of the MEX process of virgin and [...] Read more.
High volumetric shrinkage and rheological behavior of polypropylene (PP) are the main problems that make material extrusion (MEX) uncommon for this material. The complexity is raised when recycled materials are used. This research covered different aspects of the MEX process of virgin and recycled PP, from the analysis of rough materials to the mechanical evaluation of the final products. Two types of virgin PP (one in pellet and the other in filament form) and one recycled PP were analyzed. Thermal characterization and rheological analysis of these materials were initially employed to understand the peculiar properties of all investigated PP and set filament extrusion. The 3D parts were then printed using processed filaments to check fabrication quality through visual analysis and mechanical tests. A well-structured approach was proposed to encompass the limitations of PP 3D printing by accurately evaluating the influence of the material properties on the final part performance. The results revealed that the dimensional and mechanical performances of the recycled PP were comparable with the virgin filament commonly employed in MEX, making it particularly suitable for this application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process and Technology for Enhancing the Sustainability, Recycling and Circularity of Polymer Composites Materials)
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16 pages, 4601 KiB  
Article
Optimization of the Mechanical Recycling of Phenolic Resins for Household Appliances
by Francesco Valentini, Daniele Rigotti, Matteo Saletti, Alberto Beccaro, Laura Pasquardini, Alessandro Pegoretti and Andrea Dorigato
Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3378; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233378 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1123
Abstract
In light of the significant impact of climate change, it is imperative to identify effective solutions to reduce the environmental burdens of industrial production and to promote recycling strategies also for thermosetting polymers. In this work, the mechanical recycling of phenolic resins, obtained [...] Read more.
In light of the significant impact of climate change, it is imperative to identify effective solutions to reduce the environmental burdens of industrial production and to promote recycling strategies also for thermosetting polymers. In this work, the mechanical recycling of phenolic resins, obtained from industrial production scrap of plastic knobs for household appliances, was optimized. The feasibility of a partial substitution of virgin materials with recycled ones was investigated both at a laboratory and industrial scale. Finally, the environmental benefits arising from the use of recycled material were quantified through a life cycle assessment (LCA). The results of laboratory characterization demonstrated that the thermal properties of the phenolic resins were not influenced by the presence of recycled material, and the mechanical performances were not significantly impaired up to a recycled content of 30 wt%. The industrial production trials demonstrated the feasibility of replacing up to 15 wt% of virgin material without any influence on the aesthetical features of the produced components. Finally, LCA of industrially produced knobs highlighted a limited benefit of virgin material substitution in the case of novolac chromium-plated samples, while an overall environmental impact reduction of around 7–10% was detected in the case of resol-based materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process and Technology for Enhancing the Sustainability, Recycling and Circularity of Polymer Composites Materials)
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