The prolific author and polymer scientist discusses the current topics in the plastics industry and recommends future research in sustainable polymers and the recycling routes of plastic waste.

The book opens with a chapter discussing newly developed monomers such as alkylene-based monomers, epoxide monomers, diol-based monomers, bio-based monomers, and several other types, Modern polymerization methods are then explained, such as ionic polymerization, plasma polymerization, and ring-opening polymerization. The book moves on to special issues and some future trends in the plastics industry with recommendations for future research.

Plastics have given society enormous benefits because of their versatility, light weight, durability, and low costs. However, these properties have come with negative impacts because these persistent materials are leaked into the environment during their entire life cycle. Therefore, critical chapters report on the future directions for sustainable polymers, the valorization of plastic waste, and the recovery, treatment and recycling routes of plastic waste. The book concludes with chapters on the usage of plastics in medical devices, as well as the use of plastics in restoration, food applications, additive classes, and manufacturing.

Audience

The book will be used by plastics engineers, chemists, polymer and materials scientists in both academia and the plastics industry.

Johannes Karl Finkis Professor of Macromolecular Chemistry at Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria. His industry and academic career spans more than 30 years in the fields of polymers, and his research interests include characterization, flame retardancy, thermodynamics and the degradation of polymers, pyrolysis, and adhesives. Professor Fink has published many books on physical chemistry and polymer science includingA Concise Introduction to Additives for Thermoplastic Polymers(Wiley-Scrivener 2009),The Chemistry of Biobased Polymers, 2ndedition(Wiley-Scrivener 2019), and3D Industrial Printing with Polymers(Wiley-Scrivener 2019) andThe Chemistry of Environmental Engineering(Wiley-Scrivener 2020).

Preface xi

1 Monomers and Polymerization Methods 1

1.1 Types of Monomers and Synthesis Methods 2

1.2 Polymerization Methods 28

1.3 Future Trends in Summary 29

2 Automotive Industry, Hemp and Sustainable Polymers 33

2.1 Plastics Industry 33

2.2 Fields of Application 35

2.3 Evolution 35

2.4 Material Safety 36

2.5 Environmental Sustainability of Plastics 36

2.6 Future Directions for Sustainable Polymers 37

2.7 Circular Economy 40

2.8 Automotive Industry 47

2.9 Future Trends in Summary 65

3 Plastic Waste 73

3.1 Valorization of Plastic Waste 73

3.2 Origin of Plastic Waste 74

3.3 Waste Accumulation 81

3.4 Conversion of Plastic Waste into Fuel 84

3.5 Future Trends in Summary 96

4 Plastic Pollution in the Environment 101

4.1 Ingestion of Macroplastics by Odontocetes of the Greek Seas 101

4.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Plastics Consumption 103

4.3 Sustainability of Plastic Types 103

4.4 Plastic Industry in China 105

4.5 Carbon Footprint 108

4.6 Global Greenhouse Gas Emission from Both Traditional Plastics and Bioplastics 109

4.7 Future Trends in Summary 110

5 Recycling 113

5.1 The Frontier of Plastics Recycling 113

5.2 Recycling Technologies 113

5.3 Plastic Waste Generation 128

5.4 Recycled Plastics in Food Contact 128

5.5 Enzyme Discovery and Engineering for Sustainable Plastic Recycling 129

5.6 Special Compositions 129

5.7 Bottle Recycling 131

5.8 Recycling of Post-Consumer Polyolefins 134

5.9 Recycling of Multi-Material Multilayer Plastic Packaging 135

5.10 Future Trends in Summary 139

6 Renewable Energy 147

6.1 Plastic Waste 147

6.2 Future Trends in Summary 154

7 Methods of Characterization 157

7.1 Polymer Identification Techniques 157

7.2 Identification of the Materials 158

7.3 Future Trends in Summary 160

8 Medical Uses 163

8.1 Optical Applications 163

8.2 Materials 165

8.3 Surgery 170

8.4 Polymer Implants 173

8.5 Orthopedic Applications 176

8.6 Sutures 178

8.7 Biomedical Uses 178

8.8 Drug Delivery 180

8.9 Self-Healing Materials 180

8.10 Surgical Instruments 181

8.11 Microplastics 182

8.12 Future Trends in Summary 183

9 Restoration 191

9.1 Deterioration of Cultural Heritage 191

9.2 Science 192

9.3 Layer-by-Layer Architectures 197

9.4 Future Trends in Summary 198

10 Food Applications 201

10.1 Molecularly Imprinted Polymers 201

10.2 Self-Assembled Carbohydrate Polymers 206

10.3 Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensors 206

10.4 Analysis of Problematic Additives 221

10.5 Food Packaging 223

10.6 Food Container 238

10.7 Future Trends in Summary 238

11 Additive Classes 247

11.1 Compatibilizers 247

11.2 Contaminants 248

11.3 Legacy Additives 253

11.4 Chain Extenders 253

11.5 Nucleating Additives 256

11.6 Food Additives 258

11.7 Antioxidants 263

11.8 Future Trends in Summary 266

12 Manufacturing 271

12.1 Wood-Plastic Composites 271

12.2 Single-Use Plastics 278

12.3 Future Trends in Summary 280

References 280

Index 283

Acronyms 283

Chemicals 286

General Index 292