Researchers Receive Funding to Convert PVC Waste Products into Adhesives
Researchers at Oregon State University College of Engineering have received funding to develop a process to convert waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into a wax that can be used as an adhesive. PVC is ubiquitous in the construction sector, and has a large presence in health care, including surgical tubing, IV fluid bags, and oxygen masks. It’s found in consumer products from teething rings to pet toys.
However, PVC is difficult to recycle and can release harmful dioxins when disposed of through incineration. OSU’s Kostas Goulas, assistant professor of chemical engineering said, “The major industrial pain point we are trying to address is that the current methods to recycle PVC waste are too expensive or inappropriate for many PVC waste streams. For example, recycling vinyl flooring waste is difficult and costly. We think that our method is significantly improved over previous attempts to recycle or upcycle PVC.”