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Robust and Scalable Catalytic Ball Milling for Plastic Recycling (Scalable IMPACT)

Objectif

Polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene make up more than 50% of global polymer production and are thus a major contributor to waste accumulation in the environment. Classical recycling via melting and reshaping usually leads to a lower quality product. Chemical recycling is proposed as solution, in which the chemical bonds of the polymer are broken to obtain chemical building blocks. It is most desired to produce monomers to make high quality polymers again. However, for polyolefins the state-of-the-art pyrolysis requires high temperatures and only produces a mixed product oil, which can be used as refinery input but not to make polymers directly.
In my ERC StG project IMPACT, I investigate the fundamental mechanism of polyolefin conversion directly to its monomers. I showed that my novel surface activated mechano-catalyst can steer the radical depolymerization pathway to monomers below 50 ˚C in a ball mill reactor. This produces less than 30 different chemical species in contrast to the hundreds of different species obtained with pyrolysis. The current results are obtained with pure polymers at the gram-scale and in batch operation. Industrial tonne-scale ball mills exist, e.g. in the cement industry for grinding. However, these are rotary ball mills in contrast to our lab-based shaker geometry.
In this project, I will build on the results of my ERC StG and demonstrate this technology using realistic plastic waste, at the kg-scale, using a rotary ball mill and develop continuous operation. In addition, a relationship between milling parameters and production rate will be developed to predict energy requirements and thus commercial viability, scalability and sustainability of the process. Product purification and reuse to make new polymers will also be demonstrated.
Together with my existing patents on the surface activated mechano-catalyst, this project will enable upscaling and commercialization with our spin out company and industrial partners.

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Programme(s)

Thème(s)

Régime de financement

HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants

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Appel à propositions

(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) ERC-2026-POC

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Institution d’accueil

UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 150 000,00
Coût total
Aucune donnée

Bénéficiaires (1)