February 24, 2025 – Revolutionary Adhesive Paves the Way for Enhanced Plastic Recycling
A groundbreaking adhesive, designed to boost the quality of recycled plastics, has recently emerged as a game-changer in the realm of plastic recycling. Traditional adhesives often leave stubborn residues after label removal, posing significant challenges to the recycling process. However, a novel adhesive developed by a research team at the University of Reading’s Chemistry Department promises to alleviate this issue.
The innovative polymer-based adhesive is engineered to dissolve naturally when exposed to alkaline solutions. This means that while labels remain securely attached to plastic bottles and packaging during use, the adhesive can be effortlessly removed during the recycling phase, significantly reducing contamination and enhancing the recyclability of plastics.
According to AsiaMB’s understanding, the project’s lead researcher, Matthew Hyde, highlighted that commercial adhesives currently available on the market are difficult to fully remove from plastic surfaces due to their chemical composition. In contrast, their newly developed polymer adhesive incorporates a clever “chemical switch” that is activated upon contact with alkaline solutions, causing the adhesive to lose its bonding strength and easily detach from plastic surfaces.
The research findings, published last month in the journal Macromolecules, detail the synthesis of this polyurethane containing sulfoethyl carbamate units. Tests have shown that this polyurethane can reduce its adhesive force by up to 65% when subjected to alkaline solutions, making it suitable for various surfaces.
In practical applications, this cutting-edge adhesive has demonstrated impressive performance. Whether applied to glass or aluminum surfaces, it exhibits sufficient strength across different temperatures, fully meeting the diverse labeling needs of industries ranging from food containers to logistics packages, and even electronic devices.
Supported jointly by Domino Printing Sciences PLC and the University of Reading, this development has the potential to revolutionize waste management across numerous sectors. By simplifying the separation of different materials during the recycling process, the quality of recycled materials is expected to improve dramatically, thereby reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.