Procter & Gamble (P&G) and DOW have come together to develop a new method for recovering high-quality polyethylene (PE) from difficult-to-recycle plastic waste. The two companies are combining their expertise in dissolution recycling, large-scale manufacturing, and materials science to create this innovative technology.
The focus of the collaboration is on PE, which can be extracted from the waste material and used in new applications once it has been separated. Dissolution recycling involves using a solvent to separate specific polymers from impurities in complex plastic materials. By using this process, the partners hope to recover PE from post-household plastic waste, including rigid, flexible, and multi-layer packaging.
P&G plans to incorporate the recovered material into new packaging products, promoting circularity and maximizing resource use. The partnership aims to create a process with lower emissions compared to traditional PE production methods and alternative advanced recycling technologies.
The collaboration between DOW and P&G has already begun and will continue until the technology is ready for commercialization. By working together, these two companies hope to create a sustainable solution for managing difficult-to-recycle plastic waste while also creating new opportunities for PE in the marketplace.
