Work

Low-temperature Catalytic Methanolysis of Polyesters Promoted by Abundant Methyl Esters

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Depolymerization of polyesters under mild reaction conditions is a promising method of recycling waste polyester products. We previously reported that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) methanolysis proceeds at temperatures below 50 °C when using dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a trapping agent for liberated ethylene glycol (EG). Here, we found that abundant methyl esters, which are less expensive than DMC, also behave as trapping agents by transesterification, enabling efficient polyester depolymerization of polyesters. This method is applicable to various PET materials including PET textiles blended with cotton and polyurethane.

Source: Journal of the Japan Petroleum Institute

DOI: 10.1627/jpi.68.195

Authors: Shinji TANAKA, Takashi KURAGANO, Jun-Chul CHOI

Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Polymer crystallization and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency