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Dr. Caterina Picuno
Hamburg University of Technology – Sustainable Resource and Waste Management

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0 waste recycling
0 solid waste management
0 Plastic Waste Management
0 Plastic recycling
0 Plastic packaging

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Review
Published: 29 July 2021 in ChemSusChem
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Solvent-based recycling is a promising approach for a closed-loop recovery of plastic containing waste. It avoids the energy cost to depolymerize the plastic but still allows to clean the polymer of contaminants and additives. The viscosity plays however an important role in handling the polymer solutions at high concentrations and in the cleaning steps. This review addresses the viscosity behavior of polymer solutions, available data and (mostly algebraic) models developed. The non-Newtonian viscosity models, such as the Carreau and Yasuda-Cohen-Armstrong models, pragmatically describe the viscosity of polymer solutions at different concentrations and shear rate ranges. This review also describes how viscosity influences filtration and centrifugation processes that are crucial steps in order to clean the polymer, and includes a polystyrene/styrene case study.

ACS Style

Rita Kol; Tobias De Somer; Dagmar R. D’Hooge; Fabian Knappich; Kim Ragaert; Dimitris S. Achilias; Steven De Meester. State‐ of‐the‐art on quantification of polymer solution viscosity for plastic waste recycling. ChemSusChem 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Rita Kol, Tobias De Somer, Dagmar R. D’Hooge, Fabian Knappich, Kim Ragaert, Dimitris S. Achilias, Steven De Meester. State‐ of‐the‐art on quantification of polymer solution viscosity for plastic waste recycling. ChemSusChem. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rita Kol; Tobias De Somer; Dagmar R. D’Hooge; Fabian Knappich; Kim Ragaert; Dimitris S. Achilias; Steven De Meester. 2021. "State‐ of‐the‐art on quantification of polymer solution viscosity for plastic waste recycling." ChemSusChem , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 12 July 2021 in Resources, Conservation and Recycling
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The Circular Plastics Alliance initiative aims to boost the uptake of recycled plastics (as regranulates) up to 10 million ton by 2025. Consequently, the demand for regranulates in Belgium and the Netherlands is expected to increase as electronic producers begin to pledge to use 25 % regranulates in their products by 2025 or 2030. Therefore, this research aims to gain insights into the potential of regranulates to be used in vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, and electric shavers, which are products with a fair amount of plastics concentration in the small household appliances (SHA) category of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). A model is developed to forecast the amount of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) generated in 2030 in Belgium and the Netherlands using multivariate input-output analysis. The amount of regranulates released by the current formal WEEE management systems of SHA waste is quantified using material flow analysis, which equal to 22 %. This research indicates the need of improved collection rate and pre-processing efficiency (dismantling, shredding, and sorting) to at least 64 % to achieve the target of using recycled content in EEE. Moreover, up to 5 % of WEEE may still contain hazardous substances like brominated flame retardants by 2030. Lastly, through scenario analysis, we predict that the target to use recycled content in vacuum cleaners can be realized by 2027 or by 2023 in the base and positive scenario respectively, regardless of the changes in material composition as long as the collection and pre-processing technologies are continuously improved.

ACS Style

Irdanto Saputra Lase; Kim Ragaert; Jo Dewulf; Steven De Meester. Multivariate input-output and material flow analysis of current and future plastic recycling rates from waste electrical and electronic equipment:The case of small household appliances. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2021, 174, 105772 .

AMA Style

Irdanto Saputra Lase, Kim Ragaert, Jo Dewulf, Steven De Meester. Multivariate input-output and material flow analysis of current and future plastic recycling rates from waste electrical and electronic equipment:The case of small household appliances. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2021; 174 ():105772.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Irdanto Saputra Lase; Kim Ragaert; Jo Dewulf; Steven De Meester. 2021. "Multivariate input-output and material flow analysis of current and future plastic recycling rates from waste electrical and electronic equipment:The case of small household appliances." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 174, no. : 105772.

Journal article
Published: 15 June 2021 in Sustainability
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Setting up strategies for a sound management of plastic packaging waste (PPW) is becoming increasingly crucial at many levels of the value chain in Europe. After the very first implementation of an extended producer responsibility scheme in Germany in 1991, many EU Countries followed. This resulted in a complex network of schemes that differ from one member state to another. This paper brings together the three latest studies describing the current flows of PPW across the waste value chain from Austria (reference year 2013), Germany and the Netherlands (reference year 2017). With this aim, the models of the three single studies have been adapted to fit into a common model, allowing to perform a comparative analysis. Although with a relatively comparable product market, the three countries have different management systems (e.g., separate collection systems, target sorting products and treatment of residual waste), reflecting different national strategies to achieve the circular economy targets. Recycling rates (in terms of washed milled goods at the output of the recycling process) for the three countries resulted in 23%, 43% and 30% of the total mass of PPW generated in, respectively, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. The fraction of mixed recycled plastics, relevant for Germany and the Netherlands only, was determined to be one of the major determinants of the differences in recycling rates. Furthermore, the discussion revolves around new political targets that have the potential to contribute to addressing the issue of tradeoff between quantity and quality of recycled plastics placed on the market, with measures such as design-for-recycling and eco-modulation of EPR fees playing a critical role, while also pointing out the aspects that inevitably hinder closed-loop recycling.

ACS Style

Caterina Picuno; Emile Van Eygen; Marieke Brouwer; Kerstin Kuchta; Eggo Thoden van Velzen. Factors Shaping the Recycling Systems for Plastic Packaging Waste—A Comparison between Austria, Germany and The Netherlands. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6772 .

AMA Style

Caterina Picuno, Emile Van Eygen, Marieke Brouwer, Kerstin Kuchta, Eggo Thoden van Velzen. Factors Shaping the Recycling Systems for Plastic Packaging Waste—A Comparison between Austria, Germany and The Netherlands. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (12):6772.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Caterina Picuno; Emile Van Eygen; Marieke Brouwer; Kerstin Kuchta; Eggo Thoden van Velzen. 2021. "Factors Shaping the Recycling Systems for Plastic Packaging Waste—A Comparison between Austria, Germany and The Netherlands." Sustainability 13, no. 12: 6772.

Review
Published: 10 May 2021 in Waste and Biomass Valorization
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Synthetic dyes are by far the most widely applied colourants in industry. However, environmental and sustainability considerations have led to an increasing efforts to substitute them with safer and more sustainable equivalents. One promising class of alternatives is the natural quinones; these are class of cyclic organic compounds characterized by a saturated (C6) ring that contains two oxygen atoms that are bonded to carbonyls and have sufficient conjugation to show color. Therefore, this study looks at the potential of isolating and applying quinone dye molecules from a sustainable source as a possible replacement for synthetic dyes. It presents an in-depth description of the three main classes of quinoid compounds in terms of their structure, occurrence biogenesis and toxicology. Extraction and purification strategies, as well as analytical methods, are then discussed. Finally, current dyeing applications are summarised. The literature review shows that natural quinone dye compounds are ubiquitous, albeit in moderate quantities, but all have a possibility of enhanced production. They also display better dyeability, stability, brightness and fastness compared to other alternative natural dyes, such as anthocyanins and carotenoids. Furthermore, they are safer for the environment than are many synthetic counterparts. Their extraction, purification and analysis are simple and fast, making them potential substitutes for their synthetic equivalents. Graphic Abstract

ACS Style

Benson Dulo; Kim Phan; John Githaiga; Katleen Raes; Steven De Meester. Natural Quinone Dyes: A Review on Structure, Extraction Techniques, Analysis and Application Potential. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2021, 1 -36.

AMA Style

Benson Dulo, Kim Phan, John Githaiga, Katleen Raes, Steven De Meester. Natural Quinone Dyes: A Review on Structure, Extraction Techniques, Analysis and Application Potential. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2021; ():1-36.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Benson Dulo; Kim Phan; John Githaiga; Katleen Raes; Steven De Meester. 2021. "Natural Quinone Dyes: A Review on Structure, Extraction Techniques, Analysis and Application Potential." Waste and Biomass Valorization , no. : 1-36.

Review article
Published: 19 April 2021 in Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering
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It is commonly agreed in the current legislative and scientific discourse that plastics recycling rates should be increased. Many recycling studies are dedicated towards this, but often they focus on post-household plastic waste. Non-household end-use plastics seems to be forgotten in data gathering, policy making and research, but have promising potential for high quality recycling. In this manuscript we bring together the most recent existing literature on non-household end-use plastic waste and offer a framework for shifting future waste management plans to effectively help increasing recycling rates.

ACS Style

Kerstin Kleinhans; Ruben Demets; Jo Dewulf; Kim Ragaert; Steven De Meester. Non-household end-use plastics: the ‘forgotten’ plastics for the circular economy. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 2021, 32, 100680 .

AMA Style

Kerstin Kleinhans, Ruben Demets, Jo Dewulf, Kim Ragaert, Steven De Meester. Non-household end-use plastics: the ‘forgotten’ plastics for the circular economy. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering. 2021; 32 ():100680.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kerstin Kleinhans; Ruben Demets; Jo Dewulf; Kim Ragaert; Steven De Meester. 2021. "Non-household end-use plastics: the ‘forgotten’ plastics for the circular economy." Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 32, no. : 100680.

Review article
Published: 02 April 2021 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Fruit and vegetables contain molecules that have particular colors, which can potentially be an environmentally attractive substitute for their synthetic counterparts in (non-)food applications. The most sustainable source for such natural colorants would be by the valorization of by-products from the fruit and vegetable industries, but qualitative and quantitative characteristics of food by-products for this purpose remain scarce. Natural dyes also show mediocre stability and affinity toward textile fibers, which questions their potential feasibility for application and level of sustainability to overcome these issues. This review describes three dye classes (i.e., anthocyanins, quinones, and carotenoids) along with their occurrence, mass, and concentration in by-products that are generated from agricultural losses as well as the fruit and vegetable processing industries. To tackle the shortcomings of natural dyes on fibers, several application techniques were collected from the literature. A discussion on techno-economic potential and environmental sustainability is included. The latter is done by including a life cycle assessment (LCA) to investigate the environmental impact of extracting anthocyanins, quinones, and carotenoids from fruit and vegetable processing by-products and their subsequent application to the dyeing process. The mapping of by-products for each natural dye class illustrates the vast availability of agro-food residues (>0.1 Mt annually in the EU-28) with a natural dye content of up to 56 kg/t DW for anthocyanins, 18 kg/t DW for quinones, and 593 kg/t DW for carotenoids. Metallic mordants are mostly favored for improving the fixation of natural dyes but entail potential environmental issues. Greener approaches, such as biomordants and enzymes, still show room for improvement, chemical modification methods might also guarantee dye fixation, though questionable in environmental sustainability. The different valorization scenarios of anthocyanins, quinones, and carotenoids from food waste, analyzed with LCA, showed the environmental competitiveness of these natural dyes, applied as a crude extract, compared to synthetic dyes. The valorization routes design shows that agricultural losses and food processing waste streams are adequate sources of natural dyes, especially to be applied in niche scale applications.

ACS Style

Kim Phan; Katleen Raes; Veronique Van Speybroeck; Martijn Roosen; Karen De Clerck; Steven De Meester. Non-food applications of natural dyes extracted from agro-food residues: A critical review. Journal of Cleaner Production 2021, 301, 126920 .

AMA Style

Kim Phan, Katleen Raes, Veronique Van Speybroeck, Martijn Roosen, Karen De Clerck, Steven De Meester. Non-food applications of natural dyes extracted from agro-food residues: A critical review. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021; 301 ():126920.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kim Phan; Katleen Raes; Veronique Van Speybroeck; Martijn Roosen; Karen De Clerck; Steven De Meester. 2021. "Non-food applications of natural dyes extracted from agro-food residues: A critical review." Journal of Cleaner Production 301, no. : 126920.

Research article
Published: 23 March 2021 in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
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A comprehensive model for simulation and optimization of industrial-scale splitting towers that is able to predict the yield for the hydrolysis of bio-based triglyceride feedstocks is presented in this work. This model includes a variable glycerol equilibrium ratio, which is a function of the composition and temperature and is calculated using the polar version of the perturbed chain statistical association fluid theory (PC-SAFT), the autocatalytic effect of fatty acids in hydrolysis, and isomerization of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Model validation is performed using process data from three real-life splitting towers covering four feedstock types, i.e., tallow, rapeseed oil, palm oil, and palm fatty acid distillate. Due to the composition gradients of the organic phase throughout the tower, it is crucial to properly account for the changes in the glycerol equilibrium ratio. The importance of feedstock flow rate, water/oil ratio, and temperature profile throughout the tower is analyzed and confirmed by sensitivity analysis. Our results show that modifying the temperature profile may shift the reaction equilibrium toward the fatty acid product. This knowledge is crucial for improving the energy and resource efficiency of fatty acid production, thereby improving its economic and environmental sustainability.

ACS Style

Pieter Nachtergaele; Gürkan Sin; Steven De Meester; Ewout Ruysbergh; Jeroen Lauwaert; Jo Dewulf; Joris W. Thybaut. Simulation of an Industrial-Scale Reactive Liquid–Liquid Extraction Tower Using Polar PC-SAFT Toward Understanding and Improving the Hydrolysis of Triglycerides. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2021, 9, 4735 -4743.

AMA Style

Pieter Nachtergaele, Gürkan Sin, Steven De Meester, Ewout Ruysbergh, Jeroen Lauwaert, Jo Dewulf, Joris W. Thybaut. Simulation of an Industrial-Scale Reactive Liquid–Liquid Extraction Tower Using Polar PC-SAFT Toward Understanding and Improving the Hydrolysis of Triglycerides. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2021; 9 (13):4735-4743.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pieter Nachtergaele; Gürkan Sin; Steven De Meester; Ewout Ruysbergh; Jeroen Lauwaert; Jo Dewulf; Joris W. Thybaut. 2021. "Simulation of an Industrial-Scale Reactive Liquid–Liquid Extraction Tower Using Polar PC-SAFT Toward Understanding and Improving the Hydrolysis of Triglycerides." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 9, no. 13: 4735-4743.

Journal article
Published: 26 February 2021 in Resources, Conservation and Recycling
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This study aims at defining the current state-of-affairs of the German post-consumer plastic packaging (PCPP) sector. By the use of the Material Flow Analysis (MFA) tool, a comprehensive investigation of the currently available PCPP waste collection and treatment system is conducted, which enables understanding the intrinsic inefficiencies of the waste value chain. The analysis utilises primary data (by conducting manual sorting activities) as well as secondary data (literature-based). Sorting has been performed taking into consideration the plastic packaging applications and material composition, polymer types, and moisture and dirt. Results show that the per capita generation of PCPP waste is 26.3 kg ± 3.0% in the year 2017 in Germany. The separate collection efficiency is 74.8% ± 2.9%, considering all separate collection systems (i.e. deposit system for PET bottles and Dual System). The study confirms that most of the material losses occur at the sorting stage mostly as a result of the complex packaging designs, where a combination of different materials is common practise. Overall, the net material recycling rate is 26.4% ± 1.3%, calculated on the basis of the net generated waste and excluding the potential recycling of the mixed polyolefin stream. If recycled material from mixed polyolefins is included, this figure increases to 37.8% ± 2.0%. The maximisation of the PCPP re-circulation potential requires collaborative policies addressing all the stakeholders in the value chain, starting from producers (product design), followed by the consumer (responsible and correct disposal), then the sorting facilities (by utilising state-of-the-art technologies and targeted sorting).

ACS Style

Caterina Picuno; Ayah Alassali; Zhi Kai Chong; Kerstin Kuchta. Flows of post-consumer plastic packaging in Germany: An MFA-aided case study. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2021, 169, 105515 .

AMA Style

Caterina Picuno, Ayah Alassali, Zhi Kai Chong, Kerstin Kuchta. Flows of post-consumer plastic packaging in Germany: An MFA-aided case study. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2021; 169 ():105515.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Caterina Picuno; Ayah Alassali; Zhi Kai Chong; Kerstin Kuchta. 2021. "Flows of post-consumer plastic packaging in Germany: An MFA-aided case study." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 169, no. : 105515.

Full paper
Published: 25 January 2021 in ChemSusChem
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Recycling multilayer plastic packaging is challenging due to its intrinsic compositional heterogeneity. A promising route to increase recycling rates for these materials is delamination, which allows recycling the polymers separately. Yet, this process is not well understood on a fundamental level. This study aimed to obtain first principles‐based insights of the delamination mechanism of multilayer flexible packaging film (MFPF) with carboxylic acids. Delamination of MFPFs was described through a model based on Fick's first law of diffusion and first‐order dissolution kinetics of polyurethane adhesives. The model was experimentally tested on 5 different MFPFs at different temperatures (50–75 °C), formic acid concentrations (50–100 vol %), and solid/liquid (S/L) ratios (0.005, 0.025, and 0.12 g mL−1). Under the studied conditions the model proved to successfully estimate the delamination time of MFPF with the average Theil's Inequality Coefficient (TIC) value of 0.14. Essential for scaling‐up delamination processes is the possibility to use high S/L ratios as the solubility of the adhesive is rarely limiting.

ACS Style

Sibel Ügdüler; Tobias De Somer; Kevin M. Van Geem; Martijn Roosen; Andreas Kulawig; Ralf Leineweber; Steven De Meester. Towards a Better Understanding of Delamination of Multilayer Flexible Packaging Films by Carboxylic Acids. ChemSusChem 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Sibel Ügdüler, Tobias De Somer, Kevin M. Van Geem, Martijn Roosen, Andreas Kulawig, Ralf Leineweber, Steven De Meester. Towards a Better Understanding of Delamination of Multilayer Flexible Packaging Films by Carboxylic Acids. ChemSusChem. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sibel Ügdüler; Tobias De Somer; Kevin M. Van Geem; Martijn Roosen; Andreas Kulawig; Ralf Leineweber; Steven De Meester. 2021. "Towards a Better Understanding of Delamination of Multilayer Flexible Packaging Films by Carboxylic Acids." ChemSusChem , no. : 1.

Full paper
Published: 16 January 2021 in Chemistry – A European Journal
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Anthocyanins and pyranoanthocyanins are flavonoids that are present in various food products (e.g. fruit, vegetables, wine, etc.). The large chemical diversity amongst these molecules leads to compound specific properties such as color and stability towards external conditions. These properties are also attractive for food and non‐food applications. The photophysical experimental characterization is not easy as this generally demands advanced analytical techniques along with optimized separation procedures. Molecular modeling can provide insights into the fundamental understanding of the photophysical properties of these compounds in a uniform way for a broad set of compounds. However, the current literature is quite fragmented on this topic. Herein, a large set of 140 naturally derived anthocyanins was evaluated in a systematic way with three functionals (B3LYP, PBE0 and CAM‐B3LYP). The accuracy of these functionals was determined with experimental literature λ max,vis ‐values. Next to λ max,vis ‐values, TD‐DFT calculations also provided oscillator strengths, molar absorption coefficients and orbital energies, which define whether specific natural anthocyanin‐based compounds can be deployed in food and non‐food applications such as food additives/colorants, textile dyeing, analytical standards and dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).

ACS Style

Kim Phan; Steven De Meester; Katleen Raes; Karen De Clerck; Veronique Van Speybroeck. A Comparative Study on the Photophysical Properties of Anthocyanins and Pyranoanthocyanins. Chemistry – A European Journal 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Kim Phan, Steven De Meester, Katleen Raes, Karen De Clerck, Veronique Van Speybroeck. A Comparative Study on the Photophysical Properties of Anthocyanins and Pyranoanthocyanins. Chemistry – A European Journal. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kim Phan; Steven De Meester; Katleen Raes; Karen De Clerck; Veronique Van Speybroeck. 2021. "A Comparative Study on the Photophysical Properties of Anthocyanins and Pyranoanthocyanins." Chemistry – A European Journal , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 14 December 2020 in Waste Management
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Household packaging waste sorting facilities consist of complex networks of processes to separate diverse waste streams. These facilities are a key first step to re-enter materials into the recycling chain. However, so far there are no general methods to predict the performance of such sorting facilities, i.e. how efficiently the heterogeneous packaging waste is sorted into fractions with value for further recycling. In this paper, a model of the material flow in a sorting facility is presented, which allows changing the incoming waste composition, split factors on the sorting units as well as the setup of the sorting facility. The performance of the sorting facility is judged based on the purity of the output material (grade) and the recovery of the input material. A validation of the model was performed via a case study on Belgian post-consumer packaging waste with a selection of typical waste items that can be found in this stream. Moreover, the model was used to predict the possible sorting qualities of future Belgian post-consumer packaging waste after an extension of the allowed waste packaging items in the waste stream. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed on the split factors, which are a key data source in the model. Overall, the developed model is flexible and able to predict the performance of packaging waste sorting facilities as well as support waste management and design for recycling decisions, including future design of packaging, to ensure proper sorting and separation.

ACS Style

Kerstin Kleinhans; Michelle Hallemans; Sophie Huysveld; Gwenny Thomassen; Kim Ragaert; Kevin M. Van Geem; Martijn Roosen; Nicolas Mys; Jo Dewulf; Steven De Meester. Development and application of a predictive modelling approach for household packaging waste flows in sorting facilities. Waste Management 2020, 120, 290 -302.

AMA Style

Kerstin Kleinhans, Michelle Hallemans, Sophie Huysveld, Gwenny Thomassen, Kim Ragaert, Kevin M. Van Geem, Martijn Roosen, Nicolas Mys, Jo Dewulf, Steven De Meester. Development and application of a predictive modelling approach for household packaging waste flows in sorting facilities. Waste Management. 2020; 120 ():290-302.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kerstin Kleinhans; Michelle Hallemans; Sophie Huysveld; Gwenny Thomassen; Kim Ragaert; Kevin M. Van Geem; Martijn Roosen; Nicolas Mys; Jo Dewulf; Steven De Meester. 2020. "Development and application of a predictive modelling approach for household packaging waste flows in sorting facilities." Waste Management 120, no. : 290-302.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2020 in Waste Management
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Mechanical recycling is to date the most commonly applied recycling technology. However, mechanical recycling of post-consumer plastics still faces many challenges, such as the presence of odorous constituents. Accordingly, recycling industry is looking for cost-effective solutions to improve the current washing efficiencies. However, scientific literature and basic understanding of deodorization processes are still scarce, which impedes efficient industrial optimization. Therefore, this study aims to obtain more fundamental insights in the deodorization mechanisms of plastic films in different washing media such as water, detergent, caustic soda, and ethyl acetate as organic solvent. The removal efficiencies of 19 odor components with a wide range of physicochemical properties were quantified via GC-MS analysis. The results revealed that deodorization depends on various factors such as temperature and physicochemical properties as polarity, volatility, and molecular weight of the odor components and the washing media. It was shown that polar washing media are less efficient compared to apolar media or media containing a detergent, achieving efficiencies of around 50% and 90%, respectively. The desorption processes can be accurately modeled by the isotherm model of Fritz-Schlunder in combination with a reversible first order kinetic model for the deodorization kinetics. Aspen Plus® process simulations of a water-based washing process reveal that at least 60% fresh water is needed to avoid saturation of the medium and undesired (re-)adsorption of odor components onto the plastics, which results in a substantial ecological footprint.

ACS Style

Martijn Roosen; Tobias De Somer; Ruben Demets; Sibel Ügdüler; Valérie Meesseman; Bart Van Gorp; Kim Ragaert; Kevin M. Van Geem; Christophe Walgraeve; Ann Dumoulin; Steven De Meester. Towards a better understanding of odor removal from post-consumer plastic film waste: A kinetic study on deodorization efficiencies with different washing media. Waste Management 2020, 120, 564 -575.

AMA Style

Martijn Roosen, Tobias De Somer, Ruben Demets, Sibel Ügdüler, Valérie Meesseman, Bart Van Gorp, Kim Ragaert, Kevin M. Van Geem, Christophe Walgraeve, Ann Dumoulin, Steven De Meester. Towards a better understanding of odor removal from post-consumer plastic film waste: A kinetic study on deodorization efficiencies with different washing media. Waste Management. 2020; 120 ():564-575.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martijn Roosen; Tobias De Somer; Ruben Demets; Sibel Ügdüler; Valérie Meesseman; Bart Van Gorp; Kim Ragaert; Kevin M. Van Geem; Christophe Walgraeve; Ann Dumoulin; Steven De Meester. 2020. "Towards a better understanding of odor removal from post-consumer plastic film waste: A kinetic study on deodorization efficiencies with different washing media." Waste Management 120, no. : 564-575.

Research article
Published: 28 September 2020 in Environmental Science & Technology
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Plastic packaging typically consists of a mixture of polymers and contains a whole range of components, such as paper, organic residue, halogens and metals, which pose problems during recycling. Nevertheless, until today, limited detailed data is available on the full polymer composition of plastic packaging waste taking into account the separable packaging parts present in a certain waste stream, nor on their quantitative levels of (elemental) impurities. This paper therefore presents an unprecedented in-depth analysis of the polymer and elemental composition, including C, H, N, S, O, metals and halogens, of commonly generated plastic packaging waste streams in European sorting facilities. Various analytical techniques are applied, comprising of FTIR, DSC, polarized optical microscopy, ion chromatography, and ICP-OES, on more than 100 different plastic packaging products, which are all separated into their different packaging subcomponents (e.g., a bottle into the bottle itself, the cap, and the label). Our results show that certain waste streams consist of mixtures of up to 9 different polymers, and contain various elements of the periodic table, in particular metals such as Ca, Al, Na, Zn and Fe and halogens like Cl and F, occurring in concentrations between 1 and 3000 ppm. As discussed in the paper, both polymer and elemental impurities impede in many cases closed-loop recycling and require advanced pre-treatment steps, increasing the overall recycling cost.

ACS Style

Martijn Roosen; Nicolas Mys; Marvin Kusenberg; Pieter Billen; Ann Dumoulin; Jo Dewulf; Kevin Marcel Van Geem; Kim Ragaert; Steven De Meester. Detailed Analysis of the Composition of Selected Plastic Packaging Waste Products and Its Implications for Mechanical and Thermochemical Recycling. Environmental Science & Technology 2020, 54, 13282 -13293.

AMA Style

Martijn Roosen, Nicolas Mys, Marvin Kusenberg, Pieter Billen, Ann Dumoulin, Jo Dewulf, Kevin Marcel Van Geem, Kim Ragaert, Steven De Meester. Detailed Analysis of the Composition of Selected Plastic Packaging Waste Products and Its Implications for Mechanical and Thermochemical Recycling. Environmental Science & Technology. 2020; 54 (20):13282-13293.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martijn Roosen; Nicolas Mys; Marvin Kusenberg; Pieter Billen; Ann Dumoulin; Jo Dewulf; Kevin Marcel Van Geem; Kim Ragaert; Steven De Meester. 2020. "Detailed Analysis of the Composition of Selected Plastic Packaging Waste Products and Its Implications for Mechanical and Thermochemical Recycling." Environmental Science & Technology 54, no. 20: 13282-13293.

Journal article
Published: 26 August 2020 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Circularity can help to prevent depletion of the earth’s limited material resources, which are vital for human’s modern society. Circular economy strategies of slowing and closing loops of resources have the ultimate goal of keeping materials useful (i.e. in-use) while avoiding losses (dissipation) and hibernation of materials; therefore, appropriate indicators that can measure these aspects are necessary. We propose a measurement of the circularity of materials by quantifying their in-use occupation, that is, the maintenance of materials in a useful state in products for as long as possible, avoiding dissipation or hibernation. Specifically, two indicators were developed: in-use occupation ratio (UOR) and final retention in society (FRS). These indicators were applied in two case studies (materials in a laptop and wood products) with three scenarios each (linear, reuse, and recycling). The reuse scenarios generally presented a higher UOR (41–48% for laptop materials and 53% for wood) compared to recycling scenarios (29–45% for laptop materials and 52% for wood). Only two scenarios of wood products resulted in retaining materials for the next generation (FRS > 0%). We argue that the differentiation between supply, in-use, and hibernation phases is essential for a circular economy. The occupation of materials is shown in charts to facilitate understanding by non-experts and can provide a scientific basis for policies supporting technologies or products with increased in-use occupation and retention of materials.

ACS Style

Gustavo Moraga; Sophie Huysveld; Steven De Meester; Jo Dewulf. Development of circularity indicators based on the in-use occupation of materials. Journal of Cleaner Production 2020, 279, 123889 .

AMA Style

Gustavo Moraga, Sophie Huysveld, Steven De Meester, Jo Dewulf. Development of circularity indicators based on the in-use occupation of materials. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020; 279 ():123889.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gustavo Moraga; Sophie Huysveld; Steven De Meester; Jo Dewulf. 2020. "Development of circularity indicators based on the in-use occupation of materials." Journal of Cleaner Production 279, no. : 123889.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2020 in Resources, Conservation and Recycling
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The production and consumption of plastics, although inevitable in our modern life, are predominantly unsustainable and inefficient. Hence, the concept of a circular economy for plastics has been proposed as a sustainable approach to thrive both economy and our modern life. To implement a circular economy for plastics, an understanding of both individuals’ and organizations’ behaviors is needed since psychological effects often undermine technical solutions. We particularly focus on organizations’ behaviors since commercial plastic waste has not been thoroughly investigated compared to household plastic waste. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), we assess the determinants of intentions and behaviors of 637 organizations in Belgium towards a circular economy for plastics. Our PLS-SEM analysis support that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of decision makers positively influence organizations’ intentions to implement best practices of plastic recycling. Furthermore, organizations’ intentions, perceived behavioral control, pressures, and enablers positively, whereas barriers negatively, influence organizations’ behaviors. Our study shows that most organizations have positive intentions, yet they seem to be failing in implementing best practices of plastic recycling due to some critical barriers. To overcome this intention-behavior gap and to attain a circular economy for plastics, our study suggests some measures.

ACS Style

Owais Khan; Tiberio Daddi; Hendrik Slabbinck; Kerstin Kleinhans; Diego Vazquez-Brust; Steven De Meester. Assessing the determinants of intentions and behaviors of organizations towards a circular economy for plastics. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2020, 163, 105069 -105069.

AMA Style

Owais Khan, Tiberio Daddi, Hendrik Slabbinck, Kerstin Kleinhans, Diego Vazquez-Brust, Steven De Meester. Assessing the determinants of intentions and behaviors of organizations towards a circular economy for plastics. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020; 163 ():105069-105069.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Owais Khan; Tiberio Daddi; Hendrik Slabbinck; Kerstin Kleinhans; Diego Vazquez-Brust; Steven De Meester. 2020. "Assessing the determinants of intentions and behaviors of organizations towards a circular economy for plastics." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 163, no. : 105069-105069.

Paper
Published: 27 July 2020 in Green Chemistry
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A two-step aqueous alkaline hydrolysis was carried out on different types of real PET plastic waste under mild conditions.

ACS Style

Sibel Ügdüler; Kevin M. Van Geem; Ruben Denolf; Martijn Roosen; Nicolas Mys; Kim Ragaert; Steven De Meester. Towards closed-loop recycling of multilayer and coloured PET plastic waste by alkaline hydrolysis. Green Chemistry 2020, 22, 5376 -5394.

AMA Style

Sibel Ügdüler, Kevin M. Van Geem, Ruben Denolf, Martijn Roosen, Nicolas Mys, Kim Ragaert, Steven De Meester. Towards closed-loop recycling of multilayer and coloured PET plastic waste by alkaline hydrolysis. Green Chemistry. 2020; 22 (16):5376-5394.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sibel Ügdüler; Kevin M. Van Geem; Ruben Denolf; Martijn Roosen; Nicolas Mys; Kim Ragaert; Steven De Meester. 2020. "Towards closed-loop recycling of multilayer and coloured PET plastic waste by alkaline hydrolysis." Green Chemistry 22, no. 16: 5376-5394.

Research article
Published: 18 June 2020 in Environmental Science & Technology
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ACS Style

Michiel Van Melkebeke; Colin R. Janssen; Steven De Meester. Characteristics and Sinking Behavior of Typical Microplastics Including the Potential Effect of Biofouling: Implications for Remediation. Environmental Science & Technology 2020, 54, 8668 -8680.

AMA Style

Michiel Van Melkebeke, Colin R. Janssen, Steven De Meester. Characteristics and Sinking Behavior of Typical Microplastics Including the Potential Effect of Biofouling: Implications for Remediation. Environmental Science & Technology. 2020; 54 (14):8668-8680.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michiel Van Melkebeke; Colin R. Janssen; Steven De Meester. 2020. "Characteristics and Sinking Behavior of Typical Microplastics Including the Potential Effect of Biofouling: Implications for Remediation." Environmental Science & Technology 54, no. 14: 8668-8680.

Journal article
Published: 27 May 2020 in Resources, Conservation and Recycling
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Europe is strongly committed to the recycling of plastics, especially packaging. In the development of closed loop recycling processes, recyclates must have appropriate properties, including lack of odour. The main objective of this study was to develop a technique to qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyse the volatile contaminants in these complex plastic waste matrices before and after washing procedures. Three sampling methods were explored, SPME and purge and trap methods (activated carbon with solvent desorption and Tenax-TA with thermal desorption). All analyses were then carried out using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. SPME was not repeatable due to the heterogeneity of the waste samples and the static character of the method. Solvent desorption with CS2 (RSD 14,5 %) and thermal desorption (RSD 13,4 %), were capable of measuring the removal efficiency of pollutants in a semi-quantitative way. A broad spectrum of chemically different, but mostly apolar volatiles can be detected. In addition, it became clear that also the analysis of the less volatile components is essential, as these are strongly adhered to the hydrophobic polymer matrix. A post-consumer film waste stream was analysed, before and after washing and pelletizing. A general decrease of 97 % and 44 %, was measured with respectively thermal and solvent desorption for the screened components. However, after reprocessing potentially odour-causing compounds are again released or formed, showing the complexity of odour removal processes in plastic recycling.

ACS Style

Ruben Demets; Martijn Roosen; Lore Vandermeersch; Kim Ragaert; Christophe Walgraeve; Steven De Meester. Development and application of an analytical method to quantify odour removal in plastic waste recycling processes. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2020, 161, 104907 .

AMA Style

Ruben Demets, Martijn Roosen, Lore Vandermeersch, Kim Ragaert, Christophe Walgraeve, Steven De Meester. Development and application of an analytical method to quantify odour removal in plastic waste recycling processes. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020; 161 ():104907.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ruben Demets; Martijn Roosen; Lore Vandermeersch; Kim Ragaert; Christophe Walgraeve; Steven De Meester. 2020. "Development and application of an analytical method to quantify odour removal in plastic waste recycling processes." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 161, no. : 104907.

Journal article
Published: 20 May 2020 in Polymers
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The mixing of polymers, even structurally similar polyolefins, inevitably leads to blend systems with a phase-separated morphology. Fundamentally understanding the changes in mechanical properties and occurring deformation mechanisms of these immiscible polymer blends, is important with respect to potential mechanical recycling. This work focuses on the behavior of binary blends of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) under tensile deformation and their related changes in crystallinity and morphology. All of these polymers plastically deform by shear yielding. When unmixed, the high crystalline polyolefins HDPE and PP both exhibit a progressive necking phenomenon. LDPE initiates a local neck before material failure, while LLDPE is characterized by a uniform deformation as well as clear strain hardening. LLDPE/LDPE and LLDPE/PP combinations both exhibit a clear-cut matrix switchover. Polymer blends LLDPE/LDPE, LDPE/HDPE, and LDPE/PP show transition forms with features of composing materials. Combining PP in an HDPE matrix causes a radical switch to brittle behavior.

ACS Style

Astrid Van Belle; Ruben DeMets; Nicolas Mys; Karen Van Kets; Jo Dewulf; Kevin Van Geem; Steven De Meester; Kim Ragaert. Microstructural Contributions of Different Polyolefins to the Deformation Mechanisms of Their Binary Blends. Polymers 2020, 12, 1171 .

AMA Style

Astrid Van Belle, Ruben DeMets, Nicolas Mys, Karen Van Kets, Jo Dewulf, Kevin Van Geem, Steven De Meester, Kim Ragaert. Microstructural Contributions of Different Polyolefins to the Deformation Mechanisms of Their Binary Blends. Polymers. 2020; 12 (5):1171.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Astrid Van Belle; Ruben DeMets; Nicolas Mys; Karen Van Kets; Jo Dewulf; Kevin Van Geem; Steven De Meester; Kim Ragaert. 2020. "Microstructural Contributions of Different Polyolefins to the Deformation Mechanisms of Their Binary Blends." Polymers 12, no. 5: 1171.

Review
Published: 01 March 2020 in Waste Management
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Additives are ubiquitously used in plastics to improve their functionality. However, they are not always desirable in their 'second life' and are a major bottleneck for chemical recycling. Although research on extraction techniques for efficient removal of additives is increasing, it resembles much like uncharted territory due to the broad variety of additives, plastics and removal techniques. Today solvent-based additive extraction techniques, solid-liquid extraction and dissolution-precipitation, are considered to be the most promising techniques to remove additives. This review focuses on the assessment of these techniques by making a link between literature and physicochemical principles such as diffusion and Hansen solubility theory. From a technical point of view, dissolution-precipitation is preferred to remove a broad spectrum of additives because diffusion limitations affect the solid-liquid extraction recoveries. Novel techniques such as accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) are promising for finding the balance between these two processes. Because of limited studies on the economic and environmental feasibility of extraction methods, this review also includes a basic economic and environmental assessment of two extreme cases for the extraction of additives. According to this assessment, the feasibility of additives removal depends strongly on the type of additive and plastic and also on the extraction conditions. In the best-case scenario at least 70% of solvent recovery is required to extract plasticizers from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) via dissolution-precipitation with tetrahydrofuran (THF), while solid-liquid extraction of phenolic antioxidants and a fatty acid amide slip agents from polypropylene (PP) with dichloromethane (DCM) can be economically viable even without intensive solvent recovery.

ACS Style

Sibel Ügdüler; Kevin M. Van Geem; Martijn Roosen; Elisabeth I.P. Delbeke; Steven De Meester. Challenges and opportunities of solvent-based additive extraction methods for plastic recycling. Waste Management 2020, 104, 148 -182.

AMA Style

Sibel Ügdüler, Kevin M. Van Geem, Martijn Roosen, Elisabeth I.P. Delbeke, Steven De Meester. Challenges and opportunities of solvent-based additive extraction methods for plastic recycling. Waste Management. 2020; 104 ():148-182.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sibel Ügdüler; Kevin M. Van Geem; Martijn Roosen; Elisabeth I.P. Delbeke; Steven De Meester. 2020. "Challenges and opportunities of solvent-based additive extraction methods for plastic recycling." Waste Management 104, no. : 148-182.