View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Linking Degradation Pathways, Additive Transformation, and Contaminant Profiles in Post-Consumer HDPE: Implications for Recycling Quality.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Linking Degradation Pathways, Additive Transformation, and Contaminant Profiles in Post-Consumer HDPE: Implications for Recycling Quality.
Authors: Kucbel, Marek1 (AUTHOR) marek.kucbel@vsb.cz, Raclavská, Helena1,2 (AUTHOR), Růžičková, Jana1,3 (AUTHOR), Šafář, Michal1 (AUTHOR), Švédová, Barbora1,2 (AUTHOR), Slamová, Karolina2,3 (AUTHOR), Kantor, Pavel1 (AUTHOR), Braun, Petr3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Polymers (20734360). Jun2026, Vol. 18 Issue 11, p1369. 24p.
Subjects: High density polyethylene, Polymer degradation, Additives, Pollutants, Plastics, Pyrolysis gas chromatography, Waste recycling
Abstract: The chemical complexity of post-consumer plastics represents a major challenge for achieving high-quality recycling. In this study, post-consumer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) packaging materials were analysed using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to investigate relationships between compound origin, degradation pathways, and contaminant profiles. More than one hundred organic compounds were detected and classified into four main groups: product-related inputs, polymer formulation chemistry, polymer degradation processes, and external contamination. Polymer degradation products, particularly radical rearrangement and cyclisation compounds, represented the most diverse group, indicating advanced transformation of the polymer matrix associated with repeated processing. Additive-derived compounds, including phenolic structures and epoxide-containing species, contributed to the pool of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), while persistent compounds, such as fluoropolymer-derived residues, were detected across most samples. In contrast, product-related inputs showed high variability and a generally lower contribution. Multivariate analysis revealed that samples were not clustered according to product category but rather distributed along gradients defined by degradation, additive transformation, and contamination processes. These findings demonstrate that the chemical composition of recycled HDPE is determined or influenced by multiple independent factors. The results support the need for chemistry-informed recycling strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: egs
DbLabel: Engineering Source
An: 194587633
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Linking Degradation Pathways, Additive Transformation, and Contaminant Profiles in Post-Consumer HDPE: Implications for Recycling Quality.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kucbel%2C+Marek%22">Kucbel, Marek</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> marek.kucbel@vsb.cz</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Raclavská%2C+Helena%22">Raclavská, Helena</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Růžičková%2C+Jana%22">Růžičková, Jana</searchLink><relatesTo>1,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Šafář%2C+Michal%22">Šafář, Michal</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Švédová%2C+Barbora%22">Švédová, Barbora</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Slamová%2C+Karolina%22">Slamová, Karolina</searchLink><relatesTo>2,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kantor%2C+Pavel%22">Kantor, Pavel</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Braun%2C+Petr%22">Braun, Petr</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Polymers+%2820734360%29%22">Polymers (20734360)</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 18 Issue 11, p1369. 24p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22High+density+polyethylene%22">High density polyethylene</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Polymer+degradation%22">Polymer degradation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Additives%22">Additives</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pollutants%22">Pollutants</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Plastics%22">Plastics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pyrolysis+gas+chromatography%22">Pyrolysis gas chromatography</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Waste+recycling%22">Waste recycling</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The chemical complexity of post-consumer plastics represents a major challenge for achieving high-quality recycling. In this study, post-consumer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) packaging materials were analysed using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to investigate relationships between compound origin, degradation pathways, and contaminant profiles. More than one hundred organic compounds were detected and classified into four main groups: product-related inputs, polymer formulation chemistry, polymer degradation processes, and external contamination. Polymer degradation products, particularly radical rearrangement and cyclisation compounds, represented the most diverse group, indicating advanced transformation of the polymer matrix associated with repeated processing. Additive-derived compounds, including phenolic structures and epoxide-containing species, contributed to the pool of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), while persistent compounds, such as fluoropolymer-derived residues, were detected across most samples. In contrast, product-related inputs showed high variability and a generally lower contribution. Multivariate analysis revealed that samples were not clustered according to product category but rather distributed along gradients defined by degradation, additive transformation, and contamination processes. These findings demonstrate that the chemical composition of recycled HDPE is determined or influenced by multiple independent factors. The results support the need for chemistry-informed recycling strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=194587633
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.3390/polym18111369
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 24
        StartPage: 1369
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: High density polyethylene
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Polymer degradation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Additives
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pollutants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Plastics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pyrolysis gas chromatography
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Waste recycling
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Linking Degradation Pathways, Additive Transformation, and Contaminant Profiles in Post-Consumer HDPE: Implications for Recycling Quality.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Kucbel, Marek
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Raclavská, Helena
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Růžičková, Jana
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Šafář, Michal
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Švédová, Barbora
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Slamová, Karolina
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Kantor, Pavel
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Braun, Petr
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 20734360
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 18
            – Type: issue
              Value: 11
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Polymers (20734360)
              Type: main
ResultId 1