Recycling of PET and PVC wastes

A method for recycling mixed PET and PVC wastes is described. Glycolysis of PET leads to oligomers that are polycondensed with caprolactone. The obtained diols are extended with hexamethylene diisocyanate. In certain conditions the polyurethanes are totally miscible with PVC, leading to acceptable mechanical characteristics for the blend. A relation between the structure of the polyurethane and miscibility with PVC is described. The mechanical characteristics of the blend depends on the polyurethane chemical structure. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 657–665, 1998