Recycling of HIPS and multilayer films with SEBS-based additives

Abstract

With the evolution of new polymers and an increase in their scope of applications, the use of natural resources such as petroleum products for polymer production has seen a drastic increase in the past few years. With production rates higher than ever and rapid, unsafe disposal of used polymers has taken a toll on the environment and other species through pollution. Even though there are alternative solutions, including bioplastics manufactured from greener sources and biodegradable plastics that can disintegrate in a shorter time period, these alternatives are currently in their early stages and hence expensive. It is also more challenging for them to meet the high demands in terms of both quantity and properties. The next nearest alternative, recycling, is the best available solution to avoid plastic waste entering landfills and to reduce raw material demands. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a newly introduced styrene–ethylene–butadiene block copolymer (SEBS)-based property enhancer (WinMod 300) with disposed high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and a maleic anhydride-grafted SEBS compatibilizer (WinMod 110) with disposed multilayer films (low-density polyethylene and polyester layers). Recycled compounds were tested for necessary and significant mechanical properties and subjected to material characterization, and the results are presented in this paper.