Recycling and Functionalization of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastics in the Packaging Industry
Research Article
Open Access
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Recycling and Functionalization of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastics in the Packaging Industry

Tiantian Du 1*
1 Jiangnan University
*Corresponding author: 2276974788@qq.com
Published on 14 October 2025
Journal Cover
ACE Vol.187
ISSN (Print): 2755-273X
ISSN (Online): 2755-2721
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-393-2
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-394-9
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Abstract

With the deepening of the concept of sustainable development, recycled plastics play an increasingly important role in environmental protection and resource utilization. However, in the past, the recycling of recycled materials has faced many challenges in practical applications, which has made it difficult to increase the utilization rate of recycled plastics. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate the challenges in the application of recycled materials for packaging suitability. In order to solve the above problems, this study analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of intelligent sorting technology, compares the differences between physical and chemical sorting, and explores the performance defects and modification methods of PCR plastics by comparing different literatures, summarizing case studies and experimental data. It is found that PCR plastic needs technological innovation to break through the bottleneck of sorting and modification, and low-cost and high-precision sorting technology, high-performance modifier and high-efficiency catalysts should be researched and developed in the future, so as to promote its shift from "low-quality recycling" to "high-quality closed-loop", and to provide support for the scale application of sustainable packaging and recycled materials to provide support for sustainable packaging and large-scale application of recycled materials.

Keywords:

recycled materials, intelligent sorting, PCR plastic modification

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Du,T. (2025). Recycling and Functionalization of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastics in the Packaging Industry. Applied and Computational Engineering,187,55-64.

References

[1]. Liang, Liu and Ge. “Current Status, Existing Issues, and Development Trends of China's Plastic Chemical Recycling Industry.” China Plastics 39.07 (2025): 112-120. doi: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2025.07.017.

[2]. Wang, Li and Meng. “Current Status and Future Development Trends of Recycled Materials in China's Automotive Industry.” Automobile and Accessories .Z2 (2025): 62-63.

[3]. Zhu et al. “Some Thoughts on Promoting the Use of Recycled Materials.” Resource Regeneration. 03(2025): 26-31.

[4]. Pan and Cai. “A Review of the Utilization of Recycled Raw Materials Abroad.” Regenerative Resources and Circular Economy 17.02(2024): 28-30.

[5]. Zhao. “Current Status and Opportunities for Domestic Substitution in China's Paper-Making Textile Industry.” High-Tech Fibers and Applications 49.05 (2024): 72-82.

[6]. Shi et al. “Evaluation Methods for the Recyclability of Paper Packaging.” China Pulp and Paper 43.12 (2024): 132-141.

[7]. Zhou, Shen and Hu. “Regulation, Recycling Technology, and Development Trends of Recycled PET for Food Contact Applications.” Fine Chemical Intermediates 54.05 (2024): 1-4+18. doi: 10.19342/j.cnki.issn.1009-9212.2024.05.001.

[8]. Wei, Yu and Luo . “Performance and Applications of Recycled PET Fibers.” Knitting Industry 07 (2017): 28-30.

[9]. Liu. “Current Status and Future Trends in PET Recycling: An Interview with Tang Guoming, Chairman of Suzhou Jiulong Recycling Technology Co., Ltd.” Resource Recycling 09 (2024): 13-15.

[10]. Wang, Li and Bi. “Current Status and Prospects of Recycled Plastics in the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Industry.” Automotive Manufacturing .03(2025): 77-80.

[11]. “China's Largest PCR Plastic Upcycling Project Settles in Tianjin.” Chemical Industry Management .15(2025): 14.

[12]. Lan. “Dow Launches New Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Resin in the Asia-Pacific Region.” Modern Chemical Industry 40.06 (2020): 241.

[13]. Li et al. “Research Progress on Waste Plastic Sorting Technology.” Petroleum Refining and Chemical Engineering 54.10 (2023): 11-16.

[14]. Rapid discrimination of plastic packaging materials using MIR spectroscopy coupled with independent components analysis (ICA)

[15]. Liu et al. “Infrared Spectroscopy-Based Sorting Technology for Waste Automotive Plastics.” China Plastics 37.12 (2023): 91-100. doi: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2023.12.014.

[16]. Li, Li, Liao ct al. Environmentally friendly technology for rapid on-line recyeling of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polystyrene and polypropylene using near-infrared spectroscopy [J].

[17]. Zhu , Chen , Wang, et al.Plastic solid waste identification system based on near infrared spectroscopy in combination with support vector machine [J].

[18]. Duan , Li.Classification of common houschold plastic wastes combining multiple methods based on near-infrared spectroscopy [J].

[19]. Wang . “Research on Waste Plastic Recycling Technology Based on Infrared Spectroscopy Sorting.” Rubber and Plastic Resource Utilization 03 (2024): 9-12+38.

[20]. Zhao . “Research Progress on Waste Plastic Recycling.” Modern Plastic Processing Applications 32.04 (2020): 60-63. doi: 10.19690/j.issn1004-3055.20200040.

[21]. Zhao et al. “An Overview of the Current Status of Waste Plastic Sorting Technology.” Shandong Chemical Industry 54.09 (2025): 127-130+135. doi: 10.19319/j.cnki.issn.1008-021x.2025.09.055.

[22]. Zhu et al. “Management and Resource Utilization of Plastic Waste.” Guangdong Chemical Industry 48.16 (2021): 170-172.

[23]. Hu et al. “Research Progress on the Recycling and Conversion of Waste Plastics.” China Plastics 38.04 (2024): 79-87. doi: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2024.04.013.

[24]. Bin Bai; ; Weizuo Wang; ; Hui Jin.Experimental study on gasification performance of polypropylene (PP) plastics in supercritical water [J]

[25]. Jaafar Yehya; Abdelouahed Lokmane; Hage Roland El; Samrani Antoine El; Taouk Bechara.Pyrolysis of common plastics and their mixtures to produce valuable petroleum-like products [J]

[26]. Wang et al. “Research Progress on Waste Plastic Recycling Technology.” Shandong Chemical Industry 54.07 (2025): 117-120. doi: 10.19319/j.cnki.issn.1008-021x.2025.07.027.

[27]. Zhao et al. “Technical Progress in Chemical Recycling Methods for Waste Plastics.” Shandong Chemical Industry 53.17 (2024): 167-169+172. doi: 10.19319/j.cnki.issn.1008-021x.2024.17.028.

[28]. Deng . “Aligning with Low-Carbon Development Trends: Recycling and Bio-Based Materials Drive Industrial Technology Upgrades.” Electrical Appliances 05 (2025): 8.

[29]. Yang and Wang. “Study on the Thermal Stability of Food-Grade PCR-PP After Removing Residual Fluorescence.” Regenerative Resources and Circular Economy 17.08 (2024): 39-42.

[30]. Wang et al. “Purification and High-Quality Application of Recycled Polypropylene.” Recycling Resources and Circular Economy 14.01 (2021): 28-31

[31]. Liang Tian, and Isayev Avraam I.."The effect of ultrasonic extrusion on the structure and properties of BR gum and prepared compounds and vulcanizates."Advanced Industrial and Engineering Polymer Research 2.1(2019): 13-24.

[32]. Chen et al. “Performance Study of Recycled Polypropylene Materials for Automotive Applications.” China Plastics 35.05 (2021): 54-58. doi: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2021.05.009.

[33]. Lou et al. “Preparation and Performance Study of Bio-based Toughening Agents.” Guangzhou Chemical Industry 52.24 (2024): 60-62.

References

[1]. Liang, Liu and Ge. “Current Status, Existing Issues, and Development Trends of China's Plastic Chemical Recycling Industry.” China Plastics 39.07 (2025): 112-120. doi: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2025.07.017.

[2]. Wang, Li and Meng. “Current Status and Future Development Trends of Recycled Materials in China's Automotive Industry.” Automobile and Accessories .Z2 (2025): 62-63.

[3]. Zhu et al. “Some Thoughts on Promoting the Use of Recycled Materials.” Resource Regeneration. 03(2025): 26-31.

[4]. Pan and Cai. “A Review of the Utilization of Recycled Raw Materials Abroad.” Regenerative Resources and Circular Economy 17.02(2024): 28-30.

[5]. Zhao. “Current Status and Opportunities for Domestic Substitution in China's Paper-Making Textile Industry.” High-Tech Fibers and Applications 49.05 (2024): 72-82.

[6]. Shi et al. “Evaluation Methods for the Recyclability of Paper Packaging.” China Pulp and Paper 43.12 (2024): 132-141.

[7]. Zhou, Shen and Hu. “Regulation, Recycling Technology, and Development Trends of Recycled PET for Food Contact Applications.” Fine Chemical Intermediates 54.05 (2024): 1-4+18. doi: 10.19342/j.cnki.issn.1009-9212.2024.05.001.

[8]. Wei, Yu and Luo . “Performance and Applications of Recycled PET Fibers.” Knitting Industry 07 (2017): 28-30.

[9]. Liu. “Current Status and Future Trends in PET Recycling: An Interview with Tang Guoming, Chairman of Suzhou Jiulong Recycling Technology Co., Ltd.” Resource Recycling 09 (2024): 13-15.

[10]. Wang, Li and Bi. “Current Status and Prospects of Recycled Plastics in the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Industry.” Automotive Manufacturing .03(2025): 77-80.

[11]. “China's Largest PCR Plastic Upcycling Project Settles in Tianjin.” Chemical Industry Management .15(2025): 14.

[12]. Lan. “Dow Launches New Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Resin in the Asia-Pacific Region.” Modern Chemical Industry 40.06 (2020): 241.

[13]. Li et al. “Research Progress on Waste Plastic Sorting Technology.” Petroleum Refining and Chemical Engineering 54.10 (2023): 11-16.

[14]. Rapid discrimination of plastic packaging materials using MIR spectroscopy coupled with independent components analysis (ICA)

[15]. Liu et al. “Infrared Spectroscopy-Based Sorting Technology for Waste Automotive Plastics.” China Plastics 37.12 (2023): 91-100. doi: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2023.12.014.

[16]. Li, Li, Liao ct al. Environmentally friendly technology for rapid on-line recyeling of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polystyrene and polypropylene using near-infrared spectroscopy [J].

[17]. Zhu , Chen , Wang, et al.Plastic solid waste identification system based on near infrared spectroscopy in combination with support vector machine [J].

[18]. Duan , Li.Classification of common houschold plastic wastes combining multiple methods based on near-infrared spectroscopy [J].

[19]. Wang . “Research on Waste Plastic Recycling Technology Based on Infrared Spectroscopy Sorting.” Rubber and Plastic Resource Utilization 03 (2024): 9-12+38.

[20]. Zhao . “Research Progress on Waste Plastic Recycling.” Modern Plastic Processing Applications 32.04 (2020): 60-63. doi: 10.19690/j.issn1004-3055.20200040.

[21]. Zhao et al. “An Overview of the Current Status of Waste Plastic Sorting Technology.” Shandong Chemical Industry 54.09 (2025): 127-130+135. doi: 10.19319/j.cnki.issn.1008-021x.2025.09.055.

[22]. Zhu et al. “Management and Resource Utilization of Plastic Waste.” Guangdong Chemical Industry 48.16 (2021): 170-172.

[23]. Hu et al. “Research Progress on the Recycling and Conversion of Waste Plastics.” China Plastics 38.04 (2024): 79-87. doi: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2024.04.013.

[24]. Bin Bai; ; Weizuo Wang; ; Hui Jin.Experimental study on gasification performance of polypropylene (PP) plastics in supercritical water [J]

[25]. Jaafar Yehya; Abdelouahed Lokmane; Hage Roland El; Samrani Antoine El; Taouk Bechara.Pyrolysis of common plastics and their mixtures to produce valuable petroleum-like products [J]

[26]. Wang et al. “Research Progress on Waste Plastic Recycling Technology.” Shandong Chemical Industry 54.07 (2025): 117-120. doi: 10.19319/j.cnki.issn.1008-021x.2025.07.027.

[27]. Zhao et al. “Technical Progress in Chemical Recycling Methods for Waste Plastics.” Shandong Chemical Industry 53.17 (2024): 167-169+172. doi: 10.19319/j.cnki.issn.1008-021x.2024.17.028.

[28]. Deng . “Aligning with Low-Carbon Development Trends: Recycling and Bio-Based Materials Drive Industrial Technology Upgrades.” Electrical Appliances 05 (2025): 8.

[29]. Yang and Wang. “Study on the Thermal Stability of Food-Grade PCR-PP After Removing Residual Fluorescence.” Regenerative Resources and Circular Economy 17.08 (2024): 39-42.

[30]. Wang et al. “Purification and High-Quality Application of Recycled Polypropylene.” Recycling Resources and Circular Economy 14.01 (2021): 28-31

[31]. Liang Tian, and Isayev Avraam I.."The effect of ultrasonic extrusion on the structure and properties of BR gum and prepared compounds and vulcanizates."Advanced Industrial and Engineering Polymer Research 2.1(2019): 13-24.

[32]. Chen et al. “Performance Study of Recycled Polypropylene Materials for Automotive Applications.” China Plastics 35.05 (2021): 54-58. doi: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2021.05.009.

[33]. Lou et al. “Preparation and Performance Study of Bio-based Toughening Agents.” Guangzhou Chemical Industry 52.24 (2024): 60-62.

Cite this article

Du,T. (2025). Recycling and Functionalization of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastics in the Packaging Industry. Applied and Computational Engineering,187,55-64.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of CONF-FMCE 2025 Symposium: Semantic Communication for Media Compression and Transmission

ISBN: 978-1-80590-393-2(Print) / 978-1-80590-394-9(Online)
Editor: Anil Fernando
Conference website: https://2025.conffmce.org/glasgow.html
Conference date: 24 October 2025
Series: Applied and Computational Engineering
Volume number: Vol.187
ISSN: 2755-2721(Print) / 2755-273X(Online)

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