A characterization method for investigating the effectiveness of additives as odor adsorbents for plastic applications
Grömmer R, Höhne CC (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 161
Article Number: 109309
DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2026.109309
Abstract
Achieving a circular plastics economy depends strongly on effective plastic recycling. Mechanical recycling of post-consumer plastic waste plays a predominant role in this context. However, odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present challenges for the recycling industry and threaten the quality and circularity of recycled plastics. One approach to tackle odor contamination is the use of adsorbents — porous materials that adsorb volatile substances. Various adsorbents, including zeolites and cyclodextrins, show promise for odor mitigation, but no universal solution exists across different recyclates. As a result, identifying a suitable adsorbent for a given recyclate remains a challenge. In this study, a rapid characterization method is presented to screen odor adsorbents directly on the additive, without any processing steps, for their effectiveness in removing VOCs from odor-contaminated plastics. The method was validated through internal laboratory repeatability and precision assessments, and proof of principle was demonstrated using a post-consumer polypropylene recyclate with four different adsorbents. Results reveal variations in VOC adsorption performance across adsorbents; notably, a synthetic zeolite achieved up to 80% VOC adsorption. The method enables rapid identification of promising adsorbents for VOC reduction and pre-evaluates candidates for further investigations.
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Grömmer, R., & Höhne, C.C. (2026). A characterization method for investigating the effectiveness of additives as odor adsorbents for plastic applications. Polymer Testing, 161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2026.109309
MLA:
Grömmer, Roxana, and Carl Christoph Höhne. "A characterization method for investigating the effectiveness of additives as odor adsorbents for plastic applications." Polymer Testing 161 (2026).
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