ETH Zurich researchers develop high-efficiency Plexiglas recycling method

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new chemical recycling process for acrylic glass, commonly known as Plexiglas (PMMA), capable of recovering up to 98% of the material. The method uses a depolymerization process to break down large molecular chains into their original monomers.

Unlike traditional recycling techniques that require high temperatures or complex solvent-based processes, this new method operates at relatively low temperatures between 180°C and 200°C. This reduces energy consumption by nearly half compared to previous methods. Additionally, the process utilizes an inexpensive, widely available chemical agent and requires no solvents.

The recovered material is pure enough to produce new products of the same quality as virgin acrylic, even if the original source was colored or contaminated. Because the method is compatible with existing industrial equipment, it is considered economically viable for large-scale adoption. ETH Zurich has applied for a patent and is seeking industrial partners to scale the technology, with potential future applications for other plastics like polystyrene.