All plastic recycling articles
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PodcastThermo Fisher data manipulation & the shrinking chemical recycling industry
We discuss fabricated images in Thermo Fisher’s online catalogue. And, what barriers are preventing chemical plastic recycling from taking off?
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OpinionWhere does chemical recycling of plastics go from here?
US and EU plant closures highlight economic difficulties of scaling technology alongside associated policy and infrastructure
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BusinessChemical recycling plants closing in EU and US
Firms aiming to break down and re-make plastics are struggling with economic feasibility and environmental impact
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FeatureHow depolymerisation could enable infinite reuse of plastics
Nina Notman discovers how a type of chemical recycling – depolymerisation – could increase recycling rates, reduce plastic waste and enable a more circular economy
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PodcastBattery week 2026: The EV cathode race & battery-recycling photocatalysts
Who will win the EV cathode race, manganese cobalt or iron phosphate? Plus, how a new photocatalyst could change the way we recycle batteries.
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ResearchCatalyst converts plastic waste into hydrogen and valuable chemical building blocks
Researchers reuse old car battery acid, simultaneously combining waste streams in move towards circular chemicals
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CareersSustainable laboratories: Reducing plastics
When to reuse plastic pipette tips and how to overcome psychological barriers to recyling single-use items
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OpinionChemical recycling of plastics rises as oil crisis continues
Recovering feedstocks from hard-to-recycle plastic is potentially important in a more circular plastic economy
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OpinionPlastic recycling’s perfect storm
Pending policies that demand more recycling cannot offset problems of high costs and competition from cheap virgin polymers
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BusinessPlastic recycling is contracting when it needs to grow
High costs, oversupply of virgin polymers and complex political environment are challenging industry
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OpinionWhat happens next after the plastic treaty negotiations fail once again?
Bold action may now be needed to secure agreement on plastic pollution
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OpinionCheap virgin plastic limits recycling potential
Global plastic treaty negotiations risk being derailed by minority opposed to production caps
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NewsPlastic treaty negotiations go down to the wire
Capping production and limiting use of harmful chemicals are key topics for negotiators to consider
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ResearchLess than 10% of plastics are produced using recycled materials
Size of the world’s plastic problem laid out
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ResearchAccidental discovery depolymerises commercial plexiglass
Light-triggered process breaks down waste plastic
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NewsAfter years of negotiations, a global agreement to tackle plastic pollution is within sight
The UN’s plastics treaty negotiations have faced many hurdles, but delegates are getting closer to a final agreement
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ResearchNew database highlights gaps in plastic monitoring efforts
Certain types of plastic products are rarely studied in detail, while many monitoring campaigns focus on a small number of well-known hazardous chemicals
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ResearchDirecting group facilitates catalytic breakdown of high-performance polymer
Polymer maintains strength during regular use but selectively breaks down when exposed to a nickel catalyst
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BusinessCalifornia sues ExxonMobil over misleading plastic recycling claims
Suit claims firm used false claims to justify producing vast amounts of single-use plastics
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ResearchMechanochemistry adds fluorine to discarded polystyrene
Proof-of-concept trifluoromethylation study attempts post-consumer plastic waste challenge