Polymer Recycling

Polymer Recycling

Gain an in-depth understanding of polymer processing and functional properties of recycled polymers with Waters portfolio of polymer recycling analysis solutions. Our efficient and cost-effective analytical configurations deliver invaluable information useful for the development of more environmentally sound and sustainable solutions.

Gain an in-depth understanding of polymer processing and functional properties of recycled polymers with Waters portfolio of polymer recycling analysis solutions. Our efficient and cost-effective analytical configurations deliver invaluable information useful for the development of more environmentally sound and sustainable solutions.

Plastic polymer granules
Plastic polymer granules

Overview

Identifying ways to integrate more recycled materials into products is a common sustainability goal across various industries. To successfully incorporate recycled plastics, polymer manufacturers must understand the raw material and product chemical composition as well as the final material performance.

Ensure the consistent manufacturing of quality products with Waters portfolio of polymer recycling analysis solutions that offers unparalleled capabilities to not only better characterize polymer samples, but to improve operational efficiency and asset utilization. Waters offers several techniques to promote sustainable polymer analysis ranging from thermal analyzers (TA) to advanced performance chromatography (APC) and mass spectrometry (MS). With Waters, you can advance your understanding of the synthesis, composition, chemical structure and functional properties of polymers and ensure the safety and quality of the products.


Colorful plastic granular polymer

Applications

Effectively perform complex raw material analysis for recycled polymers to accelerate product innovations with Waters polymer recycling analysis solutions.

Effectively perform complex raw material analysis for recycled polymers to accelerate product innovations with Waters polymer recycling analysis solutions.


Application Notes

Application Notes
Closeup of blue plastic polymer material


Case Study: A Consolidated Approach for Analytical Testing of Recycled Industrial Plastics

Understanding the raw materials and final product chemical composition and performance is crucial when incorporating recycled plastic into products. Learn from this case study how Waters extends a combined analytical approach to test the structure and properties of recycled plastics being used, to optimize the materials, and to ensure the manufacturing of successful and safe products.

Understanding the raw materials and final product chemical composition and performance is crucial when incorporating recycled plastic into products. Learn from this case study how Waters extends a combined analytical approach to test the structure and properties of recycled plastics being used, to optimize the materials, and to ensure the manufacturing of successful and safe products.


Pattern of light blue and dark blue polymers

Solutions


With Waters systems, streamline analysis and accelerate sample throughput tailored to your polymer analysis solutions.

With Waters systems, streamline analysis and accelerate sample throughput tailored to your polymer analysis solutions.

The highest performance for polymers and oligomers

The highest performance for polymers and oligomers

Perform polymer and oligomer analysis faster with the ACQUITY Advanced Polymer Chromatography System, a breakthrough technology for the highest resolution size-based chromatographic separations of polymers.

  • Polymer Recycling

Reversed-phase simplicity, normal-phase power

Reversed-phase simplicity, normal-phase power

Address routine and advanced separation challenges ensuring unparalleled reliability, robustness, and sensitivity while enhancing sample throughput with the cutting-edge capabilities of the ACQUITY UPC2 System.

  • Polymer Recycling

Comprehensive quantitation and confident sample characterization

Comprehensive quantitation and confident sample characterization

Maximize sample information from detailed characterization to accurate quantitation with the Xevo G3 QTof, which enables complete confidence in your results.

  • Polymer Recycling

Absolute power to quantitate your most challenging compounds

Absolute power to quantitate your most challenging compounds

Enable your lab to achieve and maintain high performance and productivity with an incredibly compact, more sustainable tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer, the Waters Xevo TQ Absolute.

  • Polymer Recycling

Rapid, direct analysis of volatile and semi-volatile, solid and liquid samples

Rapid, direct analysis of volatile and semi-volatile, solid and liquid samples

The Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe is a useful tool for the rapid direct analysis of volatile and semi-volatile solid and liquid samples using atmospheric pressure ionization.

  • Polymer Recycling

Discover the DSC that delivers

Discover the DSC that delivers

Reach your goals faster and make critical decisions with confidence with the Discovery X3 DSC Calorimeter, featuring a multi-sample cell that delivers high quality heat flow data for up to three samples simultaneously.

  • Polymer Recycling

Separate beyond question with the power of mass detection

Separate beyond question with the power of mass detection

Minimize the risk of unexpected components or co-elutions and confirm trade sample constituents with confidence in a single workflow with the compact, stackable, and energy-efficient single quadrupole ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector.

  • Polymer Recycling


The data speaks for itself

The data speaks for itself
Base peak intensity (BPI) pyrograms from full scan data of 100% (top) and 0% (bottom) recycled pellets Base peak intensity (BPI) pyrograms from full scan data of 100% (top) and 0% (bottom) recycled pellets.
High and low energy spectra for m/z 338.3423 corresponding to the protonated ion of erucamide using MSE. Mass fragments assigned by Mass Fragment High and low energy spectra for m/z 338.3423 corresponding to the protonated ion of erucamide using MSE. Mass fragments assigned by Mass Fragment.
Empower chromatographic overlay of five polyamide samples with zero to 100% recycled material added to virgin material and z-plot inlay Empower chromatographic overlay of five polyamide samples with zero to 100% recycled material added to virgin material and z-plot inlay.
Comparison of fragmentation spectra of m/z 441.2956 in DNIP standard and in poor-quality rLDPE extracts using a ramped collision energy from 25–90 eV Comparison of fragmentation spectra of m/z 441.2956 in DNIP standard and in poor-quality rLDPE extracts using a ramped collision energy from 25–90 eV.

Webinars and Resources



  • Blog

Unraveling a Sustainable Future for Polymer Analysis

Unraveling a Sustainable Future for Polymer Analysis
  • Brochure

ACQUITY Advanced Polymer Chromatography System

ACQUITY Advanced Polymer Chromatography System
  • Brochure

Mass Spectrometry Solutions for Polymer Research and Development

Mass Spectrometry Solutions for Polymer Research and Development
  • Application Notebook

Polymer Analysis Application Notebook

Polymer Analysis Application Notebook
  • White Paper

Evaluating Safety and Performance of Recycled Plastics

Evaluating Safety and Performance of Recycled Plastics

Related

Today’s polymer manufacturers operate within an increasingly dynamic market space that is fueled by intense competition, complex regulatory considerations, and resurgence in polymer development.

Enhance the performance of your innovative polymeric materials with Waters advanced characterization solutions, offering robust data, increased throughput, and superior resolution.

Enable accurate, rapid, and cost-effective identification and quantification ​of extractables, leachables, and NIAS contaminants with Waters E&L analytical solutions.

Characterize, optimize, and validate medical device performance and safety with the rigorous testing and precise, reliable instrumentation provided by Waters. From initial concept to final product, our solutions ensure comprehensive characterization and optimization at every stage of development.​

Learn more about Polymer Recycling Solutions.

Learn more about Polymer Recycling Solutions.

Plastic polymer granules