Researchers at electronics giant IBM have developed a “new one-step chemical process” for the recycling and conversion of polycarbonate to prevent the leakage of bisphenol A (BPA).
IBM said they added a fluorination reagent and substances similar to baking powder, and after heating, they generated a new type of plastic, polyaryl ether sulfone, which can prevent BPA from leaching out.
R&D personnel use discarded laser records to recycle and “generate a new type of plastic that is resistant to high temperatures and chemicals.”
IBM’s research changes the material’s chemistry to address concerns about BPA leakage.
IBM R&D researcher Jeanette Garcia said: “In order to prevent these plastics from going directly into landfills, we recycle them and make them into new plastics to provide safer and stronger materials for water purification and medical device production.”
According to IBM estimates, a total of 2.7 million tons of polycarbonate are produced around the world every year.
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