CHEMICAL METHOD FOR RECYCLING POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTALATE (PET) WASTES

摘要

The invention relates to a method for chemically recycling PET wastes involving a saponification reaction stage wherein the PET waste particles react with stoichiometric or overstoichiometric amounts of a metal strong base in an alcohol reaction medium, said reaction being carried out at the boiling point thereof and, preferably at atmospheric pressure, thereby obtaining a reaction product in the form a terephthalic acid salt, a base metal and an ethylene glycol incorporated into the alcohol reaction medium. Said invention makes it possible to obtain, by means of said reaction, the ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid and the salts thereof which are very high commercial value products.