Researchers upcycle polyolefin plastic waste into industrial strength adhesives

Phys.org reported that researchers have developed a new upcycling method that transforms post-consumer plastic bags and bottles into industrial-strength adhesives. Approximately 450 million metric tons of plastics are manufactured globally every year, with the majority used only once before being deposited in landfills or sent to incinerators. The process targets polyolefins, which include polyethylene and polypropylene. [1]

Polyolefins are widely used as packaging materials and plastic films, accounting for approximately half of global plastic consumption according to Phys.org. Thermoplastics, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, are polymer materials that soften upon heating and can be reshaped multiple times. Lightweight plastic carrier bags made from low-density polyethylene typically feature a wall thickness below 50 microns and are non-biodegradable. [1][2][3]

The new method offers a chemical approach to upcycling common waste into higher-value materials. As FTMQ Science reported earlier, researchers have also explored other advanced techniques to mitigate plastic pollution, such as using internal Laplace pressure within nanoscale droplets to synthesize degradable plastics from monomers. [1][4]