Open Access

REVIEW

Recycling Carbon Resources from Waste PET to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emission: Carbonization Technology Review and Perspective

by Xing Zhou^1,2,5,6,*, Qi Wang¹, Sai Feng¹, Jingrui Deng¹, Keming Zhu¹, Yun Xing^1,3, Xiaolian Meng³, Xiaojun Wang⁴, Lu Li^5,6

1 Faculty of Printing, Packaging Engineering and Digital Media Technology, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, China
2 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen, 333403, China
3 Environmental Resources and Material Industry Technology Research Institute of Zhongzhao Construction Groups, Guangzhou, 510623, China
4 Research Institute, Transfar Chemicals Group, Hangzhou, 311215, China
5 Key Laboratory of Auxiliary Chemistry and Technology for Chemical Industry, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, 710021, China
6 Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Industrial Auxiliary Chemistry and Technology, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, 710021, China

* Corresponding Author: Xing Zhou. Email:

Journal of Renewable Materials 2023, 11(5), 2085-2108. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2023.025032

Received 18 June 2022; Accepted 13 September 2022; Issue published 13 February 2023

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions from waste plastics have caused global warming all over the world, which has been a central threat to the ecological environment for humans, flora and fauna. Among waste plastics, waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is attractive due to its excellent stability and degradation-resistant. Therefore, merging China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals would be beneficial. In this review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art of carbon emission decrease from a multi-scale perspective technologically. We suggest that the carbon peak for waste PET can be achieved by employing the closed-loop supply chain, including recycling, biomass utilization, carbon capture and utilization. Waste PET can be a valuable and renewable resource in the whole life cycle. Undoubtedly, all kinds of PET plastics can be ultimately converted into CO_2, which can also be feedstock for various kinds of chemical products, including ethyl alcohol, formic acid, soda ash, PU, starch and so on. As a result, the closed-loop supply chain can help the PET plastics industry drastically reduce its carbon footprint.

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