Provided herein are absorbent polymers produced from beta-propiolactone, and methods and systems of producing such polymers. The beta-propiolactone may be derived from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide. The absorbent polymer may be bio-based and/or biodegradable. The absorbent polymers may be used for diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products, as well as for agricultural applications.

Provided herein are absorbent polymers produced from beta-propiolactone, and methods and systems of producing such polymers. The beta-propiolactone may be derived from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide. The absorbent polymer may be bio-based and/or biodegradable. The absorbent polymers may be used for diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products, as well as for agricultural applications.

The present disclosure provides methods for the chemical degradation of polymers, in particular to methods for the degradation of polyesters by electrochemical processes.

The present disclosure provides methods for the chemical degradation of polymers, in particular to methods for the degradation of polyesters by electrochemical processes.

High concentrations of recycle polymer are gasified in a partial oxidation gasifier to make a syngas useful to make a variety of chemicals and polymers, such as cellulose ester. Polymers such as cellulose esters can be made that are obtained from sustainable sources, recycle sources, and are biodegradable. Circularity in the manufacture of textiles and/or plastics made from the fibers of such cellulose esters can now be achieved. The process of making such a syngas from high concentrations of recycle polymer (e.g. textiles and/or plastics) includes campaigning for the production of syngas.

High concentrations of recycle polymer are gasified in a partial oxidation gasifier to make a syngas useful to make a variety of chemicals and polymers, such as cellulose ester. Polymers such as cellulose esters can be made that are obtained from sustainable sources, recycle sources, and are biodegradable. Circularity in the manufacture of textiles and/or plastics made from the fibers of such cellulose esters can now be achieved. The process of making such a syngas from high concentrations of recycle polymer (e.g. textiles and/or plastics) includes campaigning for the production of syngas.

The invention relates to a process (100) for the recycling of an article based on (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: introduction (110) of the article into a system suitable for the recycling of thermoplastic polymer, at least partial depolymerization (130) of the (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin so as to form (meth)acrylate monomers, introduction (140) of a hydrolysis catalyst into a hydrolysis reactor, introduction (150) of water into said hydrolysis reactor, and conversion (160), in the hydrolysis reactor, of at least part of the (meth)acrylate monomers into (meth)acrylic acid. The invention also relates to a system for recycling an article based on (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin.

The invention relates to a process (100) for the recycling of an article based on (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: introduction (110) of the article into a system suitable for the recycling of thermoplastic polymer, at least partial depolymerization (130) of the (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin so as to form (meth)acrylate monomers, introduction (140) of a hydrolysis catalyst into a hydrolysis reactor, introduction (150) of water into said hydrolysis reactor, and conversion (160), in the hydrolysis reactor, of at least part of the (meth)acrylate monomers into (meth)acrylic acid. The invention also relates to a system for recycling an article based on (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin.

The invention relates to a process (100) for the recycling of an article based on (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: introduction (110) of the article into a system suitable for the recycling of thermoplastic polymer, at least partial depolymerization (130) of the (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin so as to form (meth)acrylate monomers, introduction (140) of a hydrolysis catalyst into a hydrolysis reactor, introduction (150) of water into said hydrolysis reactor, and conversion (160), in the hydrolysis reactor, of at least part of the (meth)acrylate monomers into (meth)acrylic acid. The invention also relates to a system for recycling an article based on (meth)acrylic thermoplastic polymer resin.

This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %. The oxidizing agent is preferably a Fenton or Fenton-type reagent, and most preferably hydrogen peroxide activated by Fe (II), and/or Ti (IV) ions. The alcohol is preferably ethanol, and when ethanol is used, diethyl ether is formed as the unwanted dialkyl ether by-product. Preferably, the biomass material is pelleted before treatment.