Professor Kim Kyoung Heon (on the right) and his research team. (Provided by Korea University).

Provided by Ayana Isabekova aiana2106@korea.ac.kr

Korea University (KU) announced that a research team led by Professor Kim Kyoung Heon (Graduate School of Biotechnology) has developed a new process to recycle polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tarpaulin, a material widely used in banners, tents and industrial coverings, but rarely recycled due to its combined structure. Conducted in collaboration with Kyungpook National University (KNU) and Lucky Goldstar Chemical (LG Chem), the study introduces a catalyst-based glycolysis method, which breaks down plastics into reusable components, using a bio-derived substance called betaine. This approach enables selective decomposition of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) while preserving PVC, overcoming a long-standing barrier in plastic recycling.

The process converts 77 percent of PET into Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), a valuable raw material for producing new plastics, while allowing PVC to be recovered intact. It also demonstrates economic feasibility, as the solvent can be reused multiple times without performance loss. Researchers further found that additives in PVC can enhance reaction efficiency, suggesting new possibilities for recycling complex materials. The findings, published in the *Chinese Journal of Catalysis*, highlight KU’s growing role in advancing scalable solutions for reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions while promoting sustainable resource circulation.


출처 : 고려대학교 고파스 2026-04-19 17:56:31: