Industry

Molecular Recycling for Hard-to-Recycle Plastics

GreenMantra Technologies diverts thousands of tons of plastic from landfills, dumps, and the ocean. They leverage molecular recycling to produce sustainable additives from plastic waste.

The growing global climate crisis has made designing environmentally friendly products an imperative and urgent challenge. Addressing this dare involves not only rethinking materials and manufacturing processes. Companies must consider energy efficiency, durability, reuse, and recycling.

You can also read: Interest Grows in Chemical Recycling

The Potential of Molecular Recycling

Recycling has emerged as one of the solutions to reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills and dumps. Specifically, molecular recycling, also known as chemical recycling, involves breaking down plastic waste into its original chemical components. The resulting monomers and other chemicals can synthesize new high-quality polymers with properties like virgin plastics. Among the solutions offered by this technology, the Canadian company GreenMantra transforms hard-to-recycle plastics into specialty waxes and polymer additives that create value.

Sustainable Polymer Additives

Researchers from GreenMantra have developed Ceranovus Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) polymer additive products. These improve the performance of asphalt for paving and roofing applications and act as melt flow modifiers in plastic applications. They deliver operational efficiency, higher output with lower energy inputs, and useful lifespans of 20-50+ years.

Technical specifications for Ceranovus Pe and PP products. Courtesy of GreenMantra.

GreenMantra’s feedstock is the post-consumer and post-industrial recycled plastics. The finished additives range in color from light brown to gray to black, as the recycled plastics vary in color. Despite the color variation, all Ceranovus products meet standard specifications for viscosity, softening point, penetration hardness, and density.

Improving Peel and Stick (Self-Adhered) Membranes

Ceranovus PE and PP polymer additives enhance construction materials for roofing applications. These products offer multiple performance, cost-saving, and operational advantages. In fact, with Ceranovus A155, GreenMantra replaced 20% of SBS in a standard modified Peel & Stick formulation. This change increases hardness, stability, and adhesion to plywood.

Enhancing Output Performance

In addition to improving the performance of end products, Ceranovus also enhances operational efficiency during polymeric compound manufacturing. Among its success stories is the boosting output of 100% rHDPE dual-wall Corrugated Pipe with Ceranovus PN20. At a 3% loading level, the company increased the melt flow. Additionally, they reduced the extruder amperage by 25% and expanded production output by 30%.

Innovating for a Sustainable Future

Chemical recycling is particularly promising for low-quality plastics, complex blends, and multilayer materials that are difficult to recycle using conventional mechanical methods. Producing polymeric additives from plastic waste helps mitigate environmental damage and offers opportunities for innovation and differentiation in the market. GreenMantra minimizes the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle, from raw material extraction to final disposal.

By Laura Gonzalez | April 17, 2024

View Comments

  • Plastic can be crushed using a crusher and then reused, greatly extending the service life of the plastic and reducing environmental pollution.I hope that science and technology will continue to develop and reduce environmental pollution.

Recent Posts

  • Energy Generation

Can Plastic Solar Cells Finally Go Mainstream?

Plastic solar cells have struggled for years, but perovskite and plastic films could change that.…

18 hours ago
  • Recyclate

Effective Strategies for Incorporating PCR in Injection Molding

This is the first of a two-part series that will provide insight into the adjustments…

2 days ago
  • Recycling

How Blockchain is Transforming Plastic Waste Management

Blockchain technology is driving greater transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the future of plastic waste…

5 days ago
  • Design

The Art of Undressing: How Naked Packaging Unveils Sustainability

In a world of excessive branding, a new packaging trend is emerging that's as much…

6 days ago
  • PFAS

Is There a Right Way to Handle PFAS Disposal?

If PFAS are found nearly everywhere, what are the most effective methods for their destruction…

7 days ago
  • Recycling

MacroCycle’s Molecular Approach to PET and Polyester Recycling

MacroCycle Technologies is redefining PET recycling through a scalable, energy-efficient molecular upcycling process.

1 week ago