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The Use of Heterogeneous Catalysis in the Chemical Valorization of Plastic Waste
Author(s) -
Mark Lesli O.,
Cendejas Melissa C.,
Hermans Ive
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.202001905
Subject(s) - usable , raw material , waste management , chemical industry , environmental science , circular economy , sustainable society , sustainability , biochemical engineering , engineering , chemistry , computer science , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , ecology , world wide web , biology
Plastic solid waste (PSW) is an ever‐growing environmental challenge for our society, as it not only ends up in landfills but also in waterways and oceans and is consequently entering the food chain. A key strategy to overcome this problem while also preserving carbon resources is to use PSW as a feedstock, evolving towards a circular economy. To implement this, mechanical as well as chemical recycling technologies must be developed. Indeed, owing to the high volume of PSW generated each year, mechanical recycling alone is not adequate for addressing this global challenge. Because of this, chemical recycling via thermal and heterogeneous catalytic conversion has received growing attention. This process has the potential to take PSW and convert it into usable monomers, fuels, synthesis gas, and adsorbents under more sustainable conditions than thermal degradation. This Review highlights the recent research advances in catalytic technologies for PSW conversion and valorization.