Chemical recovery and life cycle assessment of biodegradable plastic PBAT： current situation， challenges and prospects

doi:10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2025.07.016

Abstract

Abstract:

As poly（butylene succinate⁃co⁃butylene terephthalate）（PBAT） gains widespread use as a leading biodegradable plastic， its chemical recycling has emerged as a critical component in environmental sustainability and circular economy strategies. This review comprehensively examined the current state， technological challenges， and future prospects of PBAT chemical recycling. Various approaches including hydrolysis， alcoholysis， thermochemical recovery， and biocatalytic conversion were analyzed for their ability to transform PBAT waste into valuable chemical feedstocks. The study incorporated life cycle assessment （LCA） to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of different recycling methods. Furthermore， the paper discussed the catalytic role of policy frameworks in advancing PBAT recycling and identify existing technological and implementation barriers. The analysis concluded by highlighting the substantial potential of PBAT chemical recycling， emphasizing the synergistic importance of technological innovation， market development， and policy support in establishing a sustainable PBAT recycling ecosystem.

Key words: poly （butylene succinate?co?butylene terephthalate）, chemical recycling, biodegradable plastic, environmental impact, circular economy

CLC Number:

TQ323.4⁺1

FENG Shuo, LIN Xiaoqi, ZHU Yanli, GAO Weichang, WENG Yunxuan, ZAHNG Caili. Chemical recovery and life cycle assessment of biodegradable plastic PBAT： current situation， challenges and prospects[J]. China Plastics, 2025, 39(7): 102-111.

Figures/Tables 10

References 65

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