The present invention relates to a process for degrading a plastic product comprising at least one polymer, said process comprising the steps of foaming at least partially the plastic product; and depolymerizing at least one target polymer of the at least partially foamed plastic product, wherein the step of foaming is performed at a temperature at which the plastic product is in a partially or totally molten state.

The present invention relates to a process for degrading a plastic product comprising at least one polymer, the process comprising submitting the plastic product to a spinning step to obtain fibers of said plastic product; and depolymerizing at least one polymer of said fibers.

A door assembly for a microwave reactor including a microwave waveguide to direct microwaves from an external microwave source to inside the microwave reactor, and having a waveguide interface for preventing backflow of a process gas into the waveguide; an inlet for entry of matter to be treated in the microwave reactor; a first seal at the periphery of the door assembly to sealably interface with a static front of the microwave reactor; a second seal inserted into a groove on an inside face of the door assembly to sealably interface with an opening of a microwave reactor drum, the groove having a width of about 12.9 inches (32.766 cm) divided by an integer, and the second seal configured to prevent solids and liquids from flowing outside of the reactor drum; and a ring choke to contact a choke arranged on the periphery of the opening of the reactor drum.

A door assembly for a microwave reactor including a microwave waveguide to direct microwaves from an external microwave source to inside the microwave reactor, and having a waveguide interface for preventing backflow of a process gas into the waveguide; an inlet for entry of matter to be treated in the microwave reactor; a first seal at the periphery of the door assembly to sealably interface with a static front of the microwave reactor; a second seal inserted into a groove on an inside face of the door assembly to sealably interface with an opening of a microwave reactor drum, the groove having a width of about 12.9 inches (32.766 cm) divided by an integer, and the second seal configured to prevent solids and liquids from flowing outside of the reactor drum; and a ring choke to contact a choke arranged on the periphery of the opening of the reactor drum.

Disclosed herein is a method for decolorizing a colored polymer material, which includes subjecting the colored polymer material to a first decolorizing treatment with a first decolorizing solution to remove a colorant from the colored polymer material, so as to obtain a first decolorized polymer material and a first used decolorizing solution. A method for preparing a regenerated polymer, and a decolorizing solution are also disclosed.

Disclosed herein is a method for decolorizing a colored polymer material, which includes subjecting the colored polymer material to a first decolorizing treatment with a first decolorizing solution to remove a colorant from the colored polymer material, so as to obtain a first decolorized polymer material and a first used decolorizing solution. A method for preparing a regenerated polymer, and a decolorizing solution are also disclosed.

To provide a polyester recycling system including: a functional layer removing means of removing a functional layer from a laminated polyester film including a polyester film having on a surface thereof the functional layer as a recovered waste material, with a cleaning agent dissolving the polyester film; a recovery means of recovering the polyester film, from which the functional layer has been removed; and a production means of producing a recycled polyester product with the recovered polyester film as a raw material.

To provide a polyester recycling system including: a functional layer removing means of removing a functional layer from a laminated polyester film including a polyester film having on a surface thereof the functional layer as a recovered waste material, with a cleaning agent dissolving the polyester film; a recovery means of recovering the polyester film, from which the functional layer has been removed; and a production means of producing a recycled polyester product with the recovered polyester film as a raw material.

The present disclosure provides methods and processes for the recovery of compounds (e.g., pendant groups) from polymeric materials, as well as methods for recycling and reusing such compounds by synthetically converting a recovered compound to building blocks that can be used in, e.g., curable resins for the fabrication of new devices, such as medical devices (e.g., orthodontic appliances).

Disclosed is a method for depolymerization of polyester. The method includes (a) treating said polyester with methanol under conditions sufficient to depolymerize at least some of said polyester and form a reaction product that includes dimethyl terephthalate and at least one diol; and (b) converting the diol to a compound substantially non-reactive with said with dimethyl terephthalate and the polyester. A method for producing a cyclic carbonate is also described.