Waste plastic density separation

JP7828389B2Active Publication Date: 2026-03-11EASTMAN CHEM CO
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-07
Publication Date
2026-03-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for recycling plastic waste result in significant amounts of useful plastics being discarded in landfills due to inefficient separation processes, particularly the inability to effectively separate polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from other plastic materials, leading to contamination of PET streams with halogens, multilayer polymers, and other impurities.

Method used

A method involving multiple density separation stages, including low-density and high-density separation, with optional use of salt and sugar solutions, to separate mixed plastic waste into a PET-enriched stream and a PET-depleted stream, ensuring at least 70% PET content and minimal impurities.

Benefits of technology

The method effectively separates PET from other plastics, producing a high-purity PET stream with minimal impurities, thereby reducing waste and enhancing the recyclability of plastic materials.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide methods and systems for separating mixed plastic waste.SOLUTION: The method generally includes a step of separating mixed plastic waste into a PET-enriched stream and one or more PET-depleted streams. The step of separating can be accomplished by using combinations of two or more density separation stages. Typical density separation stages include sink-float separators and centrifugal force separators. The PET-enriched and PET-depleted streams can be recovered and / or directed to downstream chemical recycling processes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Method for separating plastic crumbs in a plastic mixture

    JP1994502122A

  • Method for separating crushed plastic having different chemical compositions and various densities and separating plant

    JP1995308922A

  • Composite material separation and recovery method

    JP2014019003A