Assessing the Downstream Contamination of Chemically Recycled Ethylene Feed Streams on the Kinetic Behavior of Ziegler-Natta Catalysts and Microstructural Properties of HDPE and LLDPE

The sustainability of consumer materials, such as plastics, belongs to the most important aspect of eco-efficiency analyses. Besides mechanical recycling, chemical recycling represents an interesting waste management pathway. In theory, this technique does not rely on single-grade feedstock to maintain product quality. However, cross-contamination of feedstocks potentially leads to above-specification impurities in obtained pyrolysis oils. This study investigates the potential downstream poisoning of a fourth-generation Ziegler-Natta catalyst, using selected model poisons at high (worst-case) concentrations. With experimental and computational analysis, economic feasibility factors such as catalyst activity and microstructural properties are evaluated during the synthesis of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). Noticeable effects on the catalyst activity can be observed when the poison interacts with the co-catalyst, whereas a lower impact is observed for interactions with the activated catalyst-co-catalyst complex. Molecular weight distribution (MWD) and comonomer composition distribution (CCD) modeling highlighted marginal to no polymer property changes caused by contaminants. Combined with the applicability of pyrolysis post-treatments, these observations show that chemical recycling can be a promising technique for post-consumer plastic waste treatment.