Story perspectives
Revolutionary Catalyst Boosts Global Plastic Recycling Efforts
9/6/2025
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Story summary
- Only 9% of plastic has been recycled globally since 2015, highlighting a critical issue.
- Polyolefins, common plastics, are challenging to recycle due to their chemical structure.
- Northwestern University researchers created a nickel-based catalyst that efficiently breaks down polyolefins.
- This process operates at lower temperatures and pressures, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
- Enhanced recycling requires a shift towards circular systems and better packaging design.
