Utility Based Framework for Material and Process Selection in the Integrated Chain Management of Polymers

This paper presents a framework for modelling polymer material flows through industrial processes with a focus on the recovery, re‐use and recycling of waste polymer materials within a life cycle approach. This is achieved by comparison of material characteristics at all points in the system with defined requirements or options. Conditional criteria are implemented as direction indicators that drive the flow towards feasible process operations and successful application in the use phase across many life cycles.