DIC Files Patent for 'Magnetic Catalyst' to Decompose Waste Plastic PET

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Jeong-su] DIC, a leading domestic company in electric vehicle reducers, has developed a magnetic (responsive to magnetic fields) catalyst capable of decomposing plastic PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and has filed a patent for it. This technology chemically neutralizes PET to enable recycling, and DIC plans to enter related new businesses using this technology.

DIC announced on the 29th that it recently filed a patent for a magnetic catalyst that can chemically decompose used and discarded waste PET. The catalyst developed by DIC enables PET recovery by utilizing magnetism. This catalyst is in a core-shell form with magnetic nanoparticles, coated with a shell made of nano catalysts that perform the catalytic function.

The process of decomposing and recycling waste PET using a magnetic catalyst developed by DIC

DIC expects this technology to be a solution to the domestic waste PET processing problem.

According to DIC, domestic waste PET recycling is currently limited to mechanical recycling, which is a form of downcycling. This method recycles PET by physically breaking it down through crushing or melting. The recycling applications are also limited to some fibers and shoe materials, resulting in a considerably low recycling rate. Most waste PET that is not recycled is incinerated, leading to environmental pollution issues.

Despite the low recycling rate, PET accounts for a significant 25% of waste plastics. Therefore, improving the recycling rate is essential. To increase recycling rates, chemical recycling businesses that can produce high-quality raw materials need to become more active.

DIC plans to diversify its business by entering the PET recycling market using the magnetic catalyst in the future. A DIC representative stated, "Although chemical recycling methods have been reported in many domestic and international research activities, commercialization has not been achieved due to cost issues compared to PET produced from crude oil," adding, "By utilizing this magnetic catalyst technology, we expect to establish a chemical decomposition and recycling market for domestic waste PET."