Recycled Plastics Masterclass: Integration & Odor Control for Real-World Applications

Easily incorporate recycled plastic materials in your projects by overcoming challenges (material sorting, decontamination, availability…) and gaining insights on the regulations, standards and circular economy policies.

Leading expert, Vanessa Gutiérrez will help you understand:

• how to integrate recycled plastics material
• how to face new projects involved with recycled materials
• how to meet related standards and regulations like food contact, WEEE

Course Outline

• Module 01:

  Main streams of recycled plastics

  • Common formats & materials
  • Common problems associated with materials
• Module 02:

  Possible applications for recycled plastics and needs per sector

  • Automotive
  • Food contact regulations
  • Others...
• Module 03:

  Integration of recycled plastics in the value chain

  • Regulations
  • Drivers
• Module 04:

  External factors influencing integration of recycled plastics into the value chain

  • Certifications for recycled plastics use
  • Recyclability of products

Sustainability and the handling of plastic waste is a critical topic globally. Understand how you can improve the quality of recycled PET consistently and reliably to meet the increased demand in volume.

In this course Kenneth Russell will present mechanical recycling advances including the use of reactive extrusion to enhance polymer properties. He will also discuss concepts and developments for chemical recycling of PET.

Course Outline

• Module 01:

  Current state of plastic recycling

• Module 02:

  Sources for recycled plastic

• Module 03:

  Processing issues in recycled PET & how to overcome those

  • Mechanical issues
    - Feeding issues
  • Thermal issues
    - Effects of moisture
    - Effect of particle size - fines
    - Methods to adjust IV
  • Introduction to chemical recycling of PET
    - Basic chemistry of PET
    - Companies developing and commercializing technology
    - Basic chemistry of PET
• Module 04:

  Some ideas for increasing value in recycled PET

  • Limiting thermal degradation
  • Building IV
  • Compatibilizing mixtures of different polymers

Odor in recycled plastics is tough to diagnose and tougher to fix. Mixed feedstocks, legacy contaminants, and thermal history generate volatile compounds that fail VOC/FOG specs and trigger customer rejections. Teams often lack a repeatable way to trace odor back to source, choose the right test method, and select a mitigation route that works at line speed without hurting properties or costing.
This course gives you a clear, end-to-end workflow from root-cause identification to characterization (instrumental + sensory) and mitigation (process adjustments, deodorization/washing, adsorption/scavengers, controlled masking). You’ll leave with practical guardrails you can apply to rPP, rPE, rPET, and more - plus how to show before/after evidence your customers will accept.

Course Outline

• Module 01:

  Odor Sources & Problem Framing

  • Main sources in rPP, rPE, rPET: feedstocks, contaminants, thermal history
  • Application-specific VOC/FOG constraints
• Module 02:

  Characterization & Sampling

  • Instrumental methods (GC), e-nose, sensory panels: when and why
  • Sampling/handling for reliable results
  • Building a simple, effective test plan
• Module 03:

  Mitigation Strategies

  • Process levers: drying, venting, temperature control
  • Deodorization/washing: benefits, limits, line-fit
  • Adsorption/scavengers: selection, dosage, impact
  • Controlled masking: acceptable uses and limits
• Module 04:

  Validation & Communication

  • Before/after proof for QA and customers
  • Packaging, consumer goods, and automotive examples
  • Presenting data for fast stakeholder approval
• Module 05:

  Key Takeaways

  • Recap the diagnose → characterize → mitigate → validate workflow
  • Prioritize next steps for quick results