15 Feb 2023 --- Researchers from the University of York, UK, have discovered that using nickel from farming soil can break down PE into hydrogen and hydrocarbons to support the chemicals industry. PE is known for its difficult recyclability as it is resistant to high temperatures, pressure, mechanical force and chemical corrosion.The plant biology researchers at York developed a biologically-bound nickel catalyst (ni-phytocat) to accelerate the depolymerization of PE. Hydrocarbons and hydrogen can create valuable materials in the packaging industry, improving the circularity of PE.
