Chemical recycling technologies for PVC waste and PVC-containing plastic waste: A review

• Published in: Waste management (Elmsford) Vol. 166; pp. 245 - 258
• Main Authors: Lu, Lihui, Li, Weiming, Cheng, Ying, Liu, Meng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2023
• Subjects: Chemical recycling; Dechlorination; Dehydrochlorination; Hydrocarbons; PVC waste; Pyrolysis; PVC waste; Hydrocarbons; Pyrolysis; Dechlorination; Dehydrochlorination; Chemical recycling
• ISSN: 0956-053X; 1879-2456
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.05.012

•The types and challenges of PVC waste management are discussed.•Dehydrochlorination and dechlorination of PVC are reviewed.•Recent progress in the chemical recycling technologies of PVC is summarized.•The dechlorination principles of different technologies are explained.•Chemical recycling treatments of PVC-containing plastic waste are summarized.
The extensive production and consumption of plastics has resulted in significant plastic waste and plastic pollution. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste has a high chlorine content and is the primary source of chlorine in the plastic waste stream, potentially generating hazardous chlorinated organic pollutants if treated improperly. This review discusses PVC synthesis, applications, and the current types and challenges of PVC waste management. Dechlorination is vital for the chemical recycling of PVC waste and PVC-containing plastic waste. We review dehydrochlorination and dechlorination mechanisms of PVC using thermal degradation and wet treatments, and summarize the recent progress in chemical treatments and dechlorination principles. This review provides readers with a comprehensive analysis of chemical recycling technologies for PVC waste and PVC-containing plastic waste to transform them into chemicals, fuels, feedstock, and value-added polymers.