Transforming PET recycling via solar-assisted sorption-enhanced gasification for a circular economy: integrated techno-economic and life cycle assessment

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the fifth most produced plastic in Europe, has become a focus of intense research due to the growing need for sustainable recycling solutions. In previous studies, a novel solar-assisted, sorption-enhanced gasification process was proposed, offering a breakthrough method to recover hydrogen and other valuable chemicals while capturing fossil CO₂. This research takes the concept further by performing a gate-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of the proposed method and comparing its techno-economic-environmental performance across selected European locations using an integrated evaluation metric. The LCA demonstrated an avoided global warming potential of 1639.13 kg CO₂ eq. per tonne of PET waste recycled, highlighting the environmental advantages. Among the selected sites, Aldeire in Spain showed the most promising economic returns, boasting an internal return rate above 12%, thanks to its abundant solar energy. However, the location in Germany exhibited the best overall environmental performance. The findings confirm that this innovative process significantly outperforms current PET recycling systems, offering a cleaner, more sustainable alternative. Coupled with a comprehensive techno-economic analysis, the proposed recycling approach proves viable and highly beneficial for implementation in Southern Europe. These insights offer valuable guidance to policymakers as they seek to advance PET recycling technologies, driving Europe toward a more resource-efficient, circular economy and a carbon-neutral future.