Sustainability and Circular Economy in Material Selection
The recycling of plastics is now a priority in terms of circular economy and industrial sustainability. While polymers like HDPE, PP, and PC are already successfully recovered, the challenge concerns technical polymers used in complex applications: they often contain reinforcements, pigments, and additives that make direct reuse difficult.
For designers and R&D managers, the issue is clear: how to use recycled plastics without sacrificing mechanical strength, thermal stability, and electrical reliability?
Chemical Recycling vs Mechanical Recycling: Differences and Applications
What is Chemical Recycling?
Chemical recycling of plastics involves breaking down waste into raw materials to recreate the original polymer.
- The result is a material identical to virgin in chemical composition, structure, and properties.
- Compounds obtained with chemically regenerated polymers exhibit mechanical, thermal, and chemical performance equivalent to standard versions.
- Batch variability is minimal, ensuring stability and consistent quality.
What is Mechanical Recycling?
In mechanical recycling, plastic waste is ground and reprocessed to generate new granules.
- Grinding causes structural damage to the polymer chain.
- Derived compounds have lower performance than virgin materials.
- To achieve satisfactory results, a formulation optimization effort is needed to balance the amount of recycled material with additives and reinforcements.
Performance Comparison: Virgin vs Recycled
Designers must evaluate at least three key parameters when choosing recycled compounds:
- Mechanical performance: stiffness, tensile strength, and impact resistance.
- Thermal properties: deflection temperature, heat stability.
- Electrical behavior: insulation, resistance to creeping currents.
- With chemical recycling polymers, values are practically comparable to standard materials.
- With mechanical recycling polymers, performance depends on recovery quality and the compounder’s know-how.
The Role of the Compounder: the Case of LATI and LATIECO
The key to not compromising performance is to rely on an experienced compounder.
- LATI, with the LATIECO line, offers solutions that combine sustainability and technical reliability.
- The compounds are optimized to ensure:
- mechanical strength comparable to standards,
- thermal stability for prolonged heat exposure,
- flame resistance (flame retardant) tested.
- Properties are validated with rigorous testing, optimizing trade-offs with a slightly wider tolerance window compared to virgin materials.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Choosing Recycled Plastic Materials
Are Recycled Compounds Always Inferior to Virgin Ones?
No, those from chemical recycling have properties equivalent to standard materials. With mechanical recycling, optimizations are needed, but performance can be very close.
Which Sectors Can Use Recycled Compounds?
Electronics, automotive, appliances, construction, and industrial goods are currently the most active fields.
What are the Concrete Advantages?
- Reduction of environmental impact.
- Contribution to ESG and decarbonization goals.
- Possibility of certifications related to recycled content.
Conclusions: Sustainability without Compromise
The choice of recycled plastic materials should not be a compromise between sustainability and performance. Knowing the difference between chemical and mechanical recycling and relying on expert suppliers like LATI allows for the development of reliable, safe products that meet regulatory requirements while also helping to reduce environmental impact.
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