Contaminant-Tolerant Conversion of Polyethylene Waste to α-Olefins

Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used polymer in the world. Existing advanced recycling methods are energy-intensive and produce complex products that require further separation and purification. In catalytic chemical upcycling, catalysts are often susceptible to poisoning due to the presence of additives and contaminants in waste streams. Herein, we demonstrate that temperature gradient thermolysis (TGT), a catalyst-free process, can tolerate complex waste streams containing various fillers, additives, and other contaminants. Via TGT, real-life PE waste from complex waste streams selectively produces high-value oil rich in olefins, and ∼90% of these olefins are α-olefins. Additives, fillers, dirt, and biological residues, commonly seen in plastic waste, are absent in the olefin-rich oil. This work highlights the remarkable potential of TGT as a robust approach to produce high-quality α-olefins for subsequent upcycling into high-value chemicals and materials, advancing sustainability.