Groundbreaking Solvent-Based Recycling Could Transform Plastic Waste Management

University of Buffalo researchers develop a new process to purify and reuse polyethylene and polypropylene plastics.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Researchers at the University of Buffalo have pioneered a solvent-based recycling technology that could dramatically improve the recycling of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plastics, which make up over half of the world's 359 million tons of annual plastic production. Unlike traditional mechanical recycling, this new process dissolves the plastics in carefully selected solvents, allowing for the isolation of purified polymers that can be reused in new products.

Why it matters

The vast majority of plastic waste, especially flexible plastics used in packaging, ends up in landfills or the environment due to the limitations of current recycling methods. This new solvent-based approach offers a potential solution to recycle these difficult-to-process materials, reducing plastic pollution and waste while creating a new stream of valuable recycled resources.

The details

The researchers, led by Professor Pascal Alexandridis, studied the dissolution of plastic materials at a microscopic level, observing how polypropylene granules lose their crystalline structure before dissolving. They also developed models to predict how polyethylene dissolves, allowing for precise control over the process. Unlike pyrolysis, which breaks down plastics through heat, this method preserves the polymer chains, resulting in a reusable material suitable for new products.

  • The research findings were published in 2026 in the journals Polymers, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, and Journal of Polymer Science.

The players

University of Buffalo

A public research university located in Buffalo, New York, where the groundbreaking solvent-based recycling technology was developed.

Professor Pascal Alexandridis

The lead researcher on the solvent-based recycling project at the University of Buffalo.

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What they’re saying

“This new solvent-based recycling technology offers a promising solution to the global plastic waste crisis, allowing us to recycle materials that were previously considered unrecyclable.”

— Professor Pascal Alexandridis (Journal of Polymer Science)

What’s next

The researchers are continuing to refine the solvent-based recycling process and explore potential commercial applications, with the goal of bringing this technology to market in the near future.

The takeaway

This innovative solvent-based recycling method has the potential to transform the plastic waste management landscape by unlocking new streams of recyclable materials, reducing plastic pollution, and creating a more sustainable circular economy for plastics.