New Innovative Plastic Recycling Tech Wins UC Berkeley Professor Eni Award

Plastic Recycling  |  2026-11-11 05:52:42   |   By

The research addresses a major limitation of conventional plastic recycling. Existing mechanical recycling methods typically involve melting and reshaping discarded plastics, which can degrade polymer chains and reduce material quality.

Summary

  • UC Berkeley Professor Wins Prestigious Eni Award

    Professor John Hartwig of the University of California, Berkeley, received the Advanced Environmental Solutions Award at the Eni Awards ceremony in Rome. The recognition honours his innovative research into chemical recycling technologies that could improve the quality and sustainability of plastic recycling.

  • Innovative Chemical Process Enables High-Quality Plastic Recycling

    Hartwig's research uses specialized chemical catalysts to break down complex polymer chains into reusable building blocks known as monomers. These recovered materials can be used as feedstock to manufacture new plastics with properties comparable to virgin materials, overcoming a major limitation of conventional mechanical recycling.

  • Technology Targets Two Major Plastic Polymers

    The process focuses on polyethylene and polypropylene, which together account for approximately half of global plastic production. The polypropylene conversion process can recover propylene equivalent to roughly two-thirds of the original material, potentially reducing plastic waste and dependence on petroleum-derived raw materials.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  University of California, Berkeley professor John Hartwig has received the prestigious Eni Award for developing an innovative chemical process that could aid high-quality recycling of used plastics, including polyethylene and polypropylene.

Hartwig received the Advanced Environmental Solutions Award at a ceremony held at Rome's Quirinal Palace. The award, established by Italian energy company Eni, recognizes scientific contributions supporting environmental sustainability.

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The research addresses a major limitation of conventional plastic recycling. Existing mechanical recycling methods typically involve melting and reshaping discarded plastics, which can degrade polymer chains and reduce material quality. As a result, recycled plastics could be used only in lower-value industrial products.

Hartwig's approach uses specialized chemical catalysts to break down complex polymer chains into reusable building blocks called monomers. These materials can subsequently serve as feedstock for manufacturing new plastics with properties comparable to virgin materials.

The technology targets polyethylene and polypropylene- two polymers that collectively account for approximately half of global plastic production. The polypropylene conversion process can recover propylene equivalent to roughly two-thirds of the original material, Hartwig claimed.

The breakthrough could help reduce plastic waste sent to landfills or incinerators while reducing dependence on petroleum-derived raw materials.