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Post-consumer recycling of Tetra Pak®: Starting a “new life” as filler in sustainable polyurethane foams

2023; Elsevier BV; Volume: 40; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.fpsl.2023.101175

2214-2894

Federica Recupido, Giuseppe Cesare Lama, Marino Lavorgna, G.G. Buonocore, Roberta Marzella, Letizia Verdolotti,

Polymer Foaming and Composites

Tetra Pak® is a laminated packaging consisting in cardboard, aluminum and LDPE layers, used to preserve several food products and beverages. Recycling of such material is not trivial; usually packages end up in the landfill. In this study, Tetra Pak® scraps were used as reinforcing filler for sustainable composite polyurethane (PU) foams, without components separation. Foams were prepared through polyaddition reaction between di-isocyanate source and biobased polyols, in presence of suitable additives and blowing agents, and by loading Tetra Pak® at 5 wt% and 20 wt%, respectively. The effect of filler size, shape and concentration on thermal, morphological and mechanical characteristics of the foams was investigated. The intercalation of Tetra Pak® corresponded to compressive stress (3 times more) and the flexural stress (50% more) increases with respect to the unloaded foam. The so-obtained foams can be used in food packaging (as containers) and in other applications.