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Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
Published on: July 18, 2025
Practically simple, catalyst-free, and scalable approach for all-component upcycling of mixed PVC/PA plastics
Tianxiang Deng1, Yi Chen1, Delong Hou1
1College of Biomass Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, PR China.
Abstract:
The recycling of discarded THHN cables generates a substantial amount of mixed PVC/PA waste plastics, presenting a significant challenge to achieving sustainable development. In this study, we present a simple, catalyst-free, and scalable approach for upcycling all components of mixed PVC/PA waste. This method leverages HCl released from PVC during hydrothermal treatment to catalyse the cleavage of amide bonds in PA, converting mixed PVC/PA waste into valuable platform chemicals (over 80 % product yield) and carbon black within 30 min. Our work demonstrates a high-value recycling process for mixed PVC/PA waste in discarded THHN cables, reducing the generation of harmful Cl-containing waste, mitigating environmental pollution caused by mixed plastics, and offering valuable insights for the recycling of other PVC-containing mixed plastic wastes.
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