Germany has developed a new plastic that can be recycled like waste paper

German researchers have developed new plastics that can be recycled like waste paper.

This new type of plastic is based on a polymer of styrene and acrylate monomers. The addition of carboxyl groups causes the chains to electrostatically bond, making it a recyclable material.

According to reports, new plastics can be easily decomposed. The shopping bag made of this plastic is washed, and the polymer chain is decomposed with 1% sodium hydroxide solution, and the carboxyl group is converted into a polymeric salt, and the plastic can be dissolved. After multiple filtration purifications, the material meets the requirements for direct food contact. If you add a weak acid, the material can be reprocessed into bags.

The report said that the Fraunhofer Processing Technology and Packaging Research Institute was involved in the development of this new material, with development costs of approximately US$150 million.

Source: Xinhuanet