Technological watch

Retail giant enters US energy department reclaim consortium / Work to focus on materials, energy-efficient recyclingResearch is planned for materials and recycling technologies (Photo: Amazon)US retail behemoth Amazon (Seattle, Washington; www.aboutamazon.com) said it has joined the Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (Bottle) consortium launched by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to develop chemical upcycling strategies and polymers that are recyclable by design.
Amazonâ??s materials scientists and experts will support the consortium, which is led by the DOEâ??s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The goal is to create an energy-efficient technology to break down different kinds of plastics so they can be used to make the same polymers or new plastics. In cases where the materials cannot return to the recycling stream, the group plans to design molecular structures so such waste can biodegrade in natural environments, the company said.
The research collaboration expands Amazonâ??s efforts to reduce or eliminate packaging refuse, and the company has already been working to cut waste at its operations (see Plasteurope.com of 26.11.2021).21.03.2022 Plasteurope.com [249878-0]