Polyester-free cotton is obtained from a fabric and/or fibers containing polyester and cotton by reacting the fabric and/or fibers with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction, which may be run in batches or as a continuous flow process, recovers (i) polyester-free cotton as a solid inert by-product of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) a polyester monomer product, and (iv) unreacted alcohol. The reaction works on any polyester-cotton fabric and/or fibers, including those that have at least one additional material, such as polyethers polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, rayon, acetate, viscose, modal, acrylic, wool, and combinations thereof.

Polyester-free cotton is obtained from a fabric and/or fibers containing polyester and cotton by reacting the fabric and/or fibers with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction, which may be run in batches or as a continuous flow process, recovers (i) polyester-free cotton as a solid inert by-product of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) a polyester monomer product, and (iv) unreacted alcohol. The reaction works on any polyester-cotton fabric and/or fibers, including those that have at least one additional material, such as polyethers polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, rayon, acetate, viscose, modal, acrylic, wool, and combinations thereof.

Described herein are systems and methods for the recycling of polymer materials that utilize recoverable solvents to efficiently produce high quality valuable polymer while removing contaminants such as metals, dyes or fibers present in the product to be recycled. The described methods may reduce temperature requirements, both reducing the energy requirements as well as providing higher quality recycled feedstocks by, for example, reducing discoloration due to high temperature processing.

Described herein are systems and methods for the recycling of polymer materials that utilize recoverable solvents to efficiently produce high quality valuable polymer while removing contaminants such as metals, dyes or fibers present in the product to be recycled. The described methods may reduce temperature requirements, both reducing the energy requirements as well as providing higher quality recycled feedstocks by, for example, reducing discoloration due to high temperature processing.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe polymerization systems for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols, methods of synthesizing polycarbonate polyols using the polymerization systems, methods of recovering initiators and/or activators for use or re-use in the synthesis of polycarbonate polyol, and the like. The polymerization systems can comprise an initiator including a mono- or multi-functional carboxylate or carbonate salt having an organic cation as a counter-ion; an optional co-initiator including a mono- or multi-functional protic compound selected from acids, alcohols, water, and combinations thereof; and an activator including a borane compound selected from alkyl boranes and aryl boranes; wherein the activator and one or more of the initiator and co-initiator associate to form an ate complex.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe polymerization systems for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols, methods of synthesizing polycarbonate polyols using the polymerization systems, methods of recovering initiators and/or activators for use or re-use in the synthesis of polycarbonate polyol, and the like. The polymerization systems can comprise an initiator including a mono- or multi-functional carboxylate or carbonate salt having an organic cation as a counter-ion; an optional co-initiator including a mono- or multi-functional protic compound selected from acids, alcohols, water, and combinations thereof; and an activator including a borane compound selected from alkyl boranes and aryl boranes; wherein the activator and one or more of the initiator and co-initiator associate to form an ate complex.

There is provided a method for efficiently recovering amide-based compounds such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from a waste liquid containing amide-based compounds such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone generated, for example, in a production process of polyarylene sulfide.

There is provided a method for efficiently recovering amide-based compounds such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from a waste liquid containing amide-based compounds such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone generated, for example, in a production process of polyarylene sulfide.

A process for reducing the hydrophobic functional group-containing volatile organic compound content and hydrophilic volatile organic compound content of recycled polyolefin comprising an acid washing step followed by an alkaline/neutral washing step.

A process for reducing the hydrophobic functional group-containing volatile organic compound content and hydrophilic volatile organic compound content of recycled polyolefin comprising an acid washing step followed by an alkaline/neutral washing step.