Debromination and recycling of styrenic polymers

Polystyrene is a non-biodegradable polymer whose versatility has expanded its applicability to consumer products such as packaging and electronic components. For this reason, end-of-life polystyrene has become an environmental burden and recycling is an alternative to close the cycle of this material, preventing it to reach landfills or to be openly dumped. However, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) is found in electric and electronic components containing brominated flame retardants. Those compounds must be removed from HIPS as hazardous compounds can be released when treating it, which limits its recyclability.
This research project aims to extract the bromine compounds from HIPS using an alkali solvent-extraction at temperatures rounding 190 ºC. The procedure will prevent the degradation of the polystyrene and reduce the production of by-products like oils and waxes, thus, maintaining its after-treatment recyclability in regular process lines. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Gregory Scott Patience

Student:

Partner:

Groupe Lavergne Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Polytechnique Montréal

Program: