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Design of recycling system for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Part 1: recycling scenario analysis

  • LCA OF WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
  • Published:
The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

In this series of papers, we present a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) recycling system design based on environmental impacts, chemical hazards, and resource availability. We evaluated the recycling system by life cycle assessment, environment, health, and safety method, and material flow analysis.

Purpose

Previous recycling systems have not focused on highly functional plastics such as PMMA, partly because of lower available volumes of waste PMMA compared with other commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene. However, with the popularization of PMMA-containing products such as liquid crystal displays, the use of PMMA is increasing and this will result in an increase in waste PMMA in the future. The design and testing of recycling systems and technologies for treating waste PMMA is therefore a high research priority. In this study, we analyze recycling of PMMA monomers under a range of scenarios.

Methods

Based on the differences between PMMA grades and their life cycles, we developed a life cycle model and designed a range of scenarios for PMMA recycling. We obtained monomer recycling process inventory data based on the operational results of a pilot plant. Using this process inventory data, we quantified life cycle greenhouse gas (LC-GHG) emissions and fossil resource consumption, and we calculated the LIME single index.

Results and discussion

PMMA produces more than twice the amount of GHG emissions than other commodity resins. Through scenario and sensitivity analyses, we demonstrated that monomer recycling is more effective than mechanical recycling. Operational modifications in the monomer recycling process can potentially decrease LC-GHG emissions.

Conclusions

Highly functional plastics should be recycled while maintaining their key functions, such as the high transparency of PMMA. Monomer recycling has the potential to achieve a closed-loop recycling of PMMA.

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Abbreviations

BHET:

Bis(hydroxylethyl) terephthalate

CR:

Chemical recycling

DMT:

Dimethyl terephthalate

HEA:

Home electrical appliances

H-sheet:

High molecular weight PMMA sheet

LIME:

Japanese life-cycle impact assessment method based on endpoint modeling

LGP:

Light guide panel

L-pellet:

Low molecular weight PMMA pellet

L-sheet:

Low molecular weight PMMA sheet

MMA:

Methyl methacrylate

MR:

Material recycling (mechanical recycling)

OAE:

Office automation equipment

PE:

Polyethylene

PET:

Polyethylene terephthalate

PMMA:

Poly(methyl methacrylate)

PP:

Polypropylene

PS:

Polystyrene

PTA:

Purified terephthalic acid

RPF:

Refused plastic/paper fuel

TR:

Thermal recycling (thermal recovery)

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Tran Nghiep Nam, Takahiro Izumi, Emiri Kakazu, Akira Sasaki, and Genya Tanaka for their cooperation in data collection for LCA. Part of this study was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (no. 23360404) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Presidential Endowed Chair for “Platinum Society”, Organization for Interdisciplinary Research Project, The University of Tokyo, Ito International Research Center, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan

    Yasunori Kikuchi

  2. Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8656, Tokyo, Japan

    Yasunori Kikuchi & Masahiko Hirao

  3. Mitsubishi Rayon, Co., Ltd, 1-1, Marunouchi 1-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, 100-8253, Tokyo, Japan

    Takashi Ookubo & Akinobu Sasaki

Authors
  1. Yasunori Kikuchi
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  2. Masahiko Hirao
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  3. Takashi Ookubo
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  4. Akinobu Sasaki
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yasunori Kikuchi.

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Responsible editor: Yasunari Matsuno

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Kikuchi, Y., Hirao, M., Ookubo, T. et al. Design of recycling system for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Part 1: recycling scenario analysis. Int J Life Cycle Assess 19, 120–129 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-013-0624-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-013-0624-y

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