Plastic solid waste (PSW) of polymers (like: high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), Nylon etc.) is creating new challenges, which in today's scenario are major research concerns. A sharp rise has been observed in production of different products based on different plastic material. This huge increase in plastic commodities also increases the waste generation thus creating new challenges. Some researchers have reported work in the field of PSW management with different recycling methods. This paper compiles the different research work done by researchers in this field of recycling and progress in recovery and management of PSW by different methods (i.e. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary) along with the various identification/separation techniques. Further, this paper reviews the effect on properties of virgin and recycled HDPE/LDPE/Nylon PSW with different reinforcements like sand, natural fibre, hemp fibre, metal powder etc.

Recycling of plastic solid waste: A state of art review and future applications

From waste plastics to industrial raw materials: A life cycle assessment of mechanical plastic recycling practice based on a real-world case study.

Wood Handbook: Wood As an Engineering Material

Substitution potentials of recycled HDPE and wood particles from post-consumer packaging waste in Wood-Plastic Composites.

In the drive towards a sustainable Bioeconomy, a growing interest in the development of composite materials made of plastics compounded with wood particles, known as wood-plastic composites (WPC), can be observed. Wood is seen as one of the cornerstones for sustainable economic growth, while the use of thermoplastics from hydrocarbon fossil resources and additives for WPC potentially cause severe environmental impacts along the entire life cycle. In this study, the life cycle stages of raw material supply and end-of-life pathways of WPC were assessed environmentally from different perspectives with life cycle assessment (LCA). The utilization of alternative raw materials reflected the WPC producer’s point of view. Harmonized product LCA standards were applied and combined with physical parameters of actually produced composites to give credit to substitution potentials in terms of resource quality. The downstream pathways of post-consumer WPC products reflected the recycler’s perspective. A system LCA approach was needed where systems with equal functions were generated to secure a comparison of end-of-life (EoL) treatment systems. Results showed that WPC produced from secondary materials is the ecologically and technically superior alternative. Recycling of the composites would be the ecologically preferable pathway, but the recycled WPC content in novel WPC is a sensitive issue when comparing both EoL treatment systems. Yet, incineration of the composites is the predominant EoL pathway due to current recycling directives and lack of markets for secondary WPC material.

Life cycle assessment of wood-plastic composites: Analysing alternative materials and identifying an environmental sound end-of-life option

In the present paper, lightweight wood-based foam core panels were produced in a novel continuous process. Expandable microspheres (MS) and expandable polystyrene (EPS) were used as core materials. The influence of surface thickness and core materials on bending strength, internal bond and specific strength of the produced panel were investigated. With increasing the surface thickness, bending strength was increased in both core types of panels. The internal bond value of the panels with expandable microspheres was steadily raised while the surface thickness was increased. The internal bond for the expandable polystyrene with increasing face thickness was reduced. In comparison with conventional particleboards, the specific bending strength and internal bond were increased. In addition, FE-SEM-microscopy and gamma-ray densitometry were used to characterize the panels.

Comparison of foam core materials in innovative lightweight wood-based panels

Wood-based composites are widely used in consumer products, either in structural or non-structural applications. One of the basic elements for wood-based composites is the binder itself. Recent years have seen great development and trends in the field of eco-friendly binders in wood-based composite. There have been many concerns on the effects of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) released from wood-based products. Researchers have put lot of effort into developing environmental friendly products with enhanced sustainability. Binder materials with a focus on geopolymers (i.e., alumino-silicates) are discussed in this publication. The development and utilization of geopolymeric binders is relatively new in the field of wood-based composites. Up to the present there has been insufficient information regarding the manufacturing conditions and properties of wood-nonwood composite materials prepared using a geopolymeric binder. This paper considers the background of geopolymer materials and the possibilities of producing inorganic-bonded wood composite using geopolymer.

Investigating the Possibility of Geopolymer to Produce Inorganic-Bonded Wood Composites for Multifunctional Construction Material – A Review

Ultra-lightweight foam core particleboards have been produced in a novel one-step process with resinated wood particles for the faces and expandable polystyrene (EPS) as core layer material. The mechanical and physical properties of panels were investigated in terms of the different foam core densities and press parameters (temperature, pressing and foaming time). The bending strength properties of the panels were not signifi cantly changed with increasing foam core density from 80 to 120 kg m -3 . Panels produced at a press temperature of 130 ° C (1-EPS) have an improved core-face interface and also a denser surface layer, which positively influences the internal bond and thickness swelling. The panels produced at a press temperature of 160 ° C (2-EPS) have smaller and more foam cells and an improved fusion of foam beads and properties, which have a positive influence on the edge screw withdrawal resistance and water absorption.

Physiomechanical properties of ultra-lightweight foam core particleboard: different core densities

Weight reduction is becoming an important topic for the wood-based panels industry. Recent development for foam core particleboard in an integrated process has a great potential to replace heavy conventional particleboards. For further progress of these new types of panels, exploring the physical properties is of high interest. In this study, the effect of two different sets of process parameters (press temperature, pressing and foaming times) on the physical properties and dimensional stability of foam core panels was examined. Panels produced by a lower press temperature (130°C) have a better surface quality. Thickness swelling of panels in short- (2 h) and long-term (24 h, 14 days) immersion shows different trends due to the different attained foam structures. Small inter cellular voids between the foam cells formed during the in situ foaming process play an important role for the water absorption values, especially in short-term immersion. Different process parameters caused different fusion ...

Johannes Welling

Papers

Substitution potentials of recycled HDPE and wood particles from post-consumer packaging waste in Wood-Plastic Composites.

Comparison of foam core materials in innovative lightweight wood-based panels

Investigating the Possibility of Geopolymer to Produce Inorganic-Bonded Wood Composites for Multifunctional Construction Material – A Review

Physiomechanical properties of ultra-lightweight foam core particleboard: different core densities

Effect of processing parameters on physical and structural properties of lightweight foam core sandwich panels