China Guangzhou Donoyo Chemical Co., Ltd Company News

  Recycled rubber and recycled plastic differ fundamentally in material behavior, sourcing, and processing. Plastics undergo permanent plastic deformation, whereas rubber exhibits elastic deformation—able to stretch and return to its original shape. At room temperature, plastic is typically a hard solid, while rubber remains soft, flexible, and stretchable. Waste rubber cannot be reused directly and must be processed into reclaimed rubber through crushing, devulcanization (regeneration), and refining. The regeneration process breaks partial molecular chains and cross-links in vulcanized rubber using softeners, activators, heat, oxygen, and mechanical shear. In contrast, recycled plastics are reprocessed via physical or chemical methods such as pretreatment, melt granulation, and modification. While both support circular economy goals, they differ significantly in performance characteristics, raw material sources, and production technologies.

  Polycarbonate is an amorphous engineering plastic commonly sourced from textile accessories, automotive lights, signal lenses, candy molds, CDs, telecom and photographic equipment, as well as plastic abrasive scraps. The recycling process includes: Selection and sorting of purchased PC waste, often requiring separation by color. Some items like textile parts are modified, while CDs and lamp covers may have coatings. Cleaning and deplating of colored PC, CDs, and lamp holders using processes similar to those for ABS. The materials are then dried, classified, and fed into an extruder. Color adjustment: yellowish PC can be processed into porcelain white, transparent PC can remain transparent, and other colors are achieved using colorants and additives. Specialized extruders are used for pelletization. However, PC is prone to aging and cannot withstand multiple recycling cycles, so granulation must be done carefully before cutting and packaging. Recently, Zhejiang Cixi has intensified regulation of the PC recycled material market to curb environmental pollution. Many small enterprises lacking production licenses or operating in poor conditions have been shut down. This has drawn significant attention from manufacturers of PC-based products such as solar panels and endurance boards.

  Recycled plastic modification involves enhancing the properties of recycled plastics through physical or chemical methods, aiming to achieve performance levels close to, equal to, or surpassing those of virgin plastics. This process enables wider reuse in various plastic products. For example, wood-plastic composite—a eco-friendly modified material—is produced by blending waste wood with recycled plastic along with compatibilizers and processing aids. Such materials are now widely used in municipal projects like urban landscaping and flooring. Due to the heterogeneity and often inferior properties of recycled plastics, modification techniques may include blending with reinforcing agents (e.g., glass fibers), adding toughening elastomers, or using compatibilizers and chain extenders to im-prove interfacial adhesion and molecular weight. These enhancements boost strength, durability, and compatibility. Ultimately, plastic modification supports waste recycling, reduces plastic pollution, and contributes to environmental protection.

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international voluntary product certification that verifies the recycled material content in products, assesses the environmental impact of production, and ensures adherence to specific social and chemical standards. Developed by Textile Exchange, GRS tracks the use and flow of recycled materials across the supply chain, promoting transparency and sustainability. A Transaction Certificate (TC) is an official document issued by a certification body to confirm that a specific batch of goods complies with GRS requirements. It serves as proof that the products—from raw materials to final output—follow the standard’s guidelines and are part of a monitored production and sales system. Purpose and Role of GRS Certification GRS certification aims to increase the use of recycled materials, reduce resource waste, and advance the circular economy. It enables companies to demonstrate transparency in recycled content sourcing while meeting environmental and social responsibility criteria. The standard covers recycled content thresholds, supply chain traceability, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. Application Process and Requirements for GRS Certification To obtain GRS certification, a company must first submit documentation to an accredited certification body for review. Once certified, the company can apply for a TC certificate by providing order contracts and relevant details. The certification body then issues the TC, validating that the shipped goods meet GRS standards.

  The Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material recycling process is a systematic workflow designed to transform used plastic items into reusable raw materials. It involves several critical stages to ensure quality and sustainability. Collection & Sorting begins with gathering post-consumer plastics such as packaging and bottles, which are then categorized by polymer type and thoroughly cleaned to remove non-plastic contaminants. Next, Shredding mechanically crushes the cleaned materials into smaller fragments to facilitate efficient further processing. During Melting & Purification, shredded plastics are heated under controlled temperatures until molten, while impurities are filtered out to enhance material purity. The Pelletization stage then extrudes the purified molten plastic into uniform pellets, ready for reuse in manufacturing. Certification Requirements ensure compliance with international sustainability standards like the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). To achieve certification, the final product must contain a minimum threshold of PCR content (e.g., 20%). The process includes traceability audits and verification of the entire recycling chain’s integrity, guaranteeing transparency and environmental accountability.

  Plastic pollution manifests in several damaging forms. Visual Pollution occurs when discarded plastics litter urban and natural environments, creating an eyesore and degrading the aesthetic value of public spaces. Marine Pollution is a critical issue, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering oceans annually, entangling, suffocating, and being ingested by marine animals, leading to devastating declines in biodiversity. Soil Pollution happens when plastic films and fragments accumulate in agricultural land, hindering water and nutrient absorption by crops and potentially leaching additives into the soil and groundwater. Perhaps the most insidious is Microplastic Pollution, where plastics break down into tiny particles that persist in the environment, contaminating water sources, entering the food chain, and posing a potential risk to human health through ingestion and inhalation.

  The use of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic pellets is gaining significant traction in the kitchenware industry, driven by both consumer awareness and robust environmental legislation. Brands are increasingly adopting these materials as part of a broader sustainability upgrade.   Within the spectrum of eco-friendly plastics, PCR pellets stand out as a highly competitive and practical option. Compared to single-use biodegradable alternatives like Polylactic Acid (PLA), PCR plastics offer a more stable and reliable supply chain, as they are derived from the existing waste stream. Furthermore, their cost is generally more affordable and predictable, making them a viable choice for manufacturing durable kitchenware items such as utensils, storage containers, and cutting boards, without compromising on performance or economic feasibility.

  The key distinction between PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) and PIR (Post-Industrial Recycled) plastic lies in their point of origin within the product lifecycle. PCR material comes from products that have been used by consumers and then discarded, such as recycled water bottles, food containers, or old electronics housings. The recycling process for PCR is complex, involving collection, sorting, intensive washing, and reprocessing to ensure purity and performance.   In contrast, PIR plastic, also known as post-industrial regrind, is generated during the manufacturing process itself. It includes scrap like sprues, runners, off-spec parts, and trimmings that never reached the consumer. Because this material is clean, controlled, and of a known composition, its recycling is much more straightforward. It can often be reground and immediately reintroduced into the production line with minimal processing, making it a highly efficient form of internal recycling.

  The growing awareness of plastic's devastating impact on our environment and oceans has spurred a global movement to reduce consumption. However, the scale of the problem is often underestimated. Scientists estimate that a staggering 8 million tons of plastic waste enter our oceans every year, equivalent to a garbage truck being dumped into the sea every minute. The current accumulation is believed to be around 150 million tons. If this trend continues, predictions suggest there could be 250 million tons within a decade, and by 2050, the ocean could contain more plastic by weight than fish.     This pollution directly harms marine wildlife through ingestion and entanglement and introduces microplastics into the food chain, ultimately affecting human health. In response to this crisis, governments are enacting stringent regulations. The European Union, for example, has set mandates requiring that plastic products contain a minimum of 25% PCR content by 2025 for certain applications. This regulatory push, combined with consumer demand for sustainable products, is driving major brands to actively develop and incorporate PCR plastics into their packaging and products. Using PCR plastic is no longer just an environmental choice; it is a strategic necessity that fulfills corporate social responsibility and promotes the efficient, circular use of resources.

   Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): Sourced primarily from plastic films, LDPE is commonly found in grocery bag liners, food packaging, product overwraps, and agricultural greenhouse film. These post-consumer films are typically natural but can also be light blue or black, requiring careful sorting by color before the recycling process to ensure a consistent recycled granulate. Recycled Polypropylene (PP): This is a high-volume recycled stream originating from numerous everyday items. Common sources include food containers, household buckets, baskets, furniture like chairs and stools, and various packaging forms such as woven bags and strapping tapes.   Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): As a crystalline plastic, recycled PET is predominantly recovered from single-use beverage bottles and food containers. Its properties of being lightweight, shatter-resistant, and energy-efficient to recycle have made it a cornerstone of packaging recycling, widely used in the food, beverage, and cosmetics industries. Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): This engineering plastic is largely recovered from end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), consumer goods, and automotive components. Its durability makes it a valuable material for recycling back into high-performance applications.   Recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Often recovered from milk jugs, detergent bottles, and rigid packaging, recycled HDPE is known for its strength and stiffness, making it suitable for new bottles, pipes, and plastic lumber. Recycled Polystyrene (PS): This category includes both solid PS from items like disposable cutlery and CD cases, and expanded PS (EPS) from packaging foam and insulation boards. The recycling process involves densifying the lightweight foam to be remolded into new products.

  The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, and comprehensive product certification standard. Its primary objective is to verify and track the recycled content within a product while ensuring that its production adheres to strict environmental and social criteria. Managed by Textile Exchange, the GRS provides a robust chain of custody system that traces recycled materials from their source through the entire supply chain. A Transaction Certificate (TC) is a critical document in this ecosystem. It is issued by an independent certification body to provide proof that a specific shipment or batch of goods has been manufactured in compliance with the GRS requirements. Each TC serves as a verifiable link, confirming that the product's journey from raw recycled material to the final item has been monitored and validated.   The core purpose of GRS certification is to accelerate the adoption of recycled materials, thereby reducing resource consumption and waste. It offers companies a transparent and credible way to communicate their sustainability achievements to consumers. The standard encompasses key areas including recycled content verification, stringent environmental principles, social responsibility for workers, and strict chemical restrictions. The application process involves first obtaining a facility-level GRS certification through an audit. Subsequently, for every qualifying order, the company must apply for a TC by submitting supporting documents like invoices and shipping details to the certifying body, which then issues the transaction certificate.

  PCR, or Post-Consumer Recycled plastic, is material derived from plastics that have completed their life cycle as consumer products. These materials are extracted from everyday items like used personal care product bottles, discarded electronics, and end-of-life automotive parts. It's crucial to distinguish PCR from PIR (Post-Industrial Recycled) plastic. PIR, sometimes simply called industrial regrind, originates from waste generated during the manufacturing process itself, such as trimmings, startup shots, and off-specification products, which are recycled directly within the factory.   The fundamental difference lies in their source and environmental impact. The volume of post-consumer waste is astronomically higher than industrial scrap. Without effective recycling, plastics that have served their purpose would accumulate in landfills and natural environments, causing significant pollution annually. PCR plastics provide a powerful solution to this problem by creating a circular economy for post-use materials. This initiative is further propelled by global policies favoring recycled content. For instance, the UK's Plastic Packaging Tax imposes a levy of £200 per ton on packaging with less than 30% recycled content. Similarly, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandates in China and other regions are pushing major brands to increasingly integrate PCR plastics into their products, turning an environmental imperative into a strategic business advantage.