Development of New Thermosetting Resins from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Wastes

Abstract

In an attempt to cover the needs and requirements of consumers, packaging without good recyclability is sometimes introduced in the market. This is more evident in the case of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is a highly recyclable material that results in a recycled product with enhanced quality. However, there are other type of PET multilayered packaging that are being introduced in the market. These packaging products include additional materials such as other type of polymers, metals, paper, etc., as well as different type of pigments, colouring agents and impurities confering a critical colour to the packaging. When this new packaging arrives to the recycler it generates problems, resulting in low quality products or even rejected, being deposited in landfill. This implies an important environmental reduction (mainly in the CO2 emissions) and in the economic affairs. For this reason, the recycling companies and, in general, waste management companies, are interested in alternatives that allow these residues to have a viable outlet. This development is presented as a solution to the problem of these particular PET multilayered residues. The main objective is the industrial development of thermosetting resins (alkyds and unsaturated polyesters) that include in their composition materials obtained from the chemical recycling of these multilayered packaging, at an affordable price and with reduced environmental impact.

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