Supercritical Fluid Extraction for Upgrading Wax Products Derived from Recycled Plastic Feedstock

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This proposal describes the plan for the development of a breakthrough technology based on supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE)for the removal of contaminants that cause color and odor in specialty chemicals such as waxes derived from recycled polymers.Polyethylene and polypropylene feedstock contain various additives, such as fillers and colorants, which either degrade or carrythrough the depolymerization process; thereby causing intense dark colors and a pungent petroleum odor. The combination ofcolor and odor imposes several challenges, limiting the potential markets of the waxes products. This project aims to develop aninnovative, cost effective, and environmentally friendly SCFE process to purify the waxes by removing the contaminants. Thepurified waxes could then be utilized in a variety of market segments, including color masterbatch, roofing shingles, rubber,coatings, and road asphalt modifiers. Compared with traditional purification technologies based on solvent extraction andabsorbent filters, SCFE process offers exceptional advantages, including fast reaction rates, little liquid waste, ease of separationof solutes, and fewer separation stages. It has been shown that supercritical CO2 dissolves various types polymers. It is thereforeexpected that the contaminants in polymers can be removed by SCFE. This project is highly beneficial for Canada and Ontario interms of academic excellence and industrial competitive advantage, as it creates an opportunity to produce high-value water whitewaxes from reclaimed polymeric feedstock with a focus on clean technologies and enhanced resource efficiency. Also, top highquality personnel will be trained for careers in the Canadian and Ontario-based Chemicals sector.