Plastic pollution and waste management challenges have long hindered the effective reuse of recycled polymers, especially those contaminated by food and medical waste. However, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has made a major breakthrough in plastic recycling, enhancing the quality of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics to rival primary materials—marking a significant step toward a circular economy.
Prof. Suryasarathi Bose, Senior Professor in the Polymer Processing Group at IISc’s Department of Materials Engineering, highlights that their innovation enables the upscaling of PCR plastics for 3D printing. This is achieved through an advanced process that breaks down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic into smaller, useful components, which are then integrated into recycled polyolefins via melt extrusion.
The result? A versatile, high-strength material that resists degradation, ensuring durability and remoldability—making it a cost-efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
IISc has partnered with VoILA 3D, a start-up specializing in greentech solutions, to utilize this advanced PET recycling technology in 3D printing large, sturdy structures, an achievement previously unfeasible with recycled plastic. This game-changing approach to waste management showcases how scientific innovation can drive a circular economy and combat plastic pollution effectively.
