High solvating bio-plasticizers in PVC recycling

The recycling of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) has significantly enhanced the circularity of plastics. PVC’s inherent characteristics make its recycling both viable and commercially successful. Many of its applications, such as construction materials (roofing, flooring, siding, wire and cable), automotive components (upholstery, wiring), and clothing, have long-term use and can be easily separated and recycled during demolitions and car dismantling. Additionally, scraps from PVC packaging industries can be mechanically recycled.

Recyclers often convert both rigid and flexible PVC into flexible formulations, requiring a fast-solvating plasticizer to adjust properties, reduce processing time, and improve energy efficiency.

This paper will examine new, cost-competitive, bio-based high-solvating plasticizers as alternatives to this process, enabling the conversion of recycled rigid PVC into flexible compounds with a low to even negative carbon footprint. The paper will provide performance and carbon footprint comparisons between bio- and fossil-based solutions.