Chemical recycling of post-consumer compact discs towards novel polymers for powder coating applications

New processes for the chemical recycling of bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC), directly from post-consumer compact discs, have been developed. The first recycling method is based on the use of molecules that can be derived from renewable resources (isosorbide, ethylene carbonate and succinic acid). A second procedure involves a one-pot reaction of post consumer PC with ethylene carbonate, without complete degradation to low molecular weight products. The final polymers feature properties that make them suitable for powder coating applications.