Systematic coverage of thermal, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic PET recycling pathways

Mechanical recycling of PET often yields lower-quality materials, driving demand for chemical approaches that recover monomers or upcycle waste into high-value products. Chemical Recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate: Methods and Principles provides a systematic treatment of depolymerization strategies, from established thermal catalytic reforming to emerging electrocatalytic and photocatalytic methods. Each chapter compares traditional and advanced processes, detailing mechanisms, catalyst innovations, and process efficiencies.

The book covers seven thermal catalytic pathways—glycolysis, methanolysis, hydrolysis, ammonolysis, aminolysis, acidolysis, and hydrogenolysis—before examining photo-driven and photoelectrochemical systems that harness solar energy for PET upcycling. Coverage extends to photothermal catalysis, enzyme-assisted processes, and integration with green energy systems. A concluding analysis addresses market trends, regulatory drivers, and future research directions for scaling chemical recycling.

Readers will also find:

• Detailed process comparisons and practical recommendations for selecting catalysts and optimizing depolymerization efficiency across multiple recycling pathways
• Coverage of upcycling PET waste into high-value chemicals and fuels using advanced catalytic and photochemical conversion strategies
• Analysis of solar-driven and electrochemical recycling systems integrating renewable energy with polymer waste valorization techniques
• Discussion of multi-waste management concepts that combine PET chemical recycling with broader solid waste treatment approaches
• Forward-looking assessment of regulatory drivers, market trends, and research directions shaping the future of PET chemical recycling

Designed for polymer chemists, environmental chemists, and plastics technologists, this reference delivers the mechanistic detail and process-level comparisons needed to evaluate, select, and advance chemical recycling strategies. Researchers and industry professionals working on sustainable polymer management will find actionable guidance on catalyst design, system integration, and upcycling pathways.

Maiyong Zhu, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, Jiangsu University, China, and a former visiting professor at Kyoto University, Japan. His research covers green strategies for synthesizing advanced functional materials for energy and environment applications, as well as valorization and recycling of solid wastes.

Zigao Wang is a researcher specializing in materials science and chemical recycling of polymers, with a focus on developing sustainable approaches to polyethylene terephthalate depolymerization and the conversion of plastic waste into high-value chemical products.