Scaling Dissolution Recycling Supports a Circular Future
APRIL 2025P&G R&D is committed to developing and adopting the latest technologies to address sustainability challenges. These efforts enable us to make better products and support the industry at large in implementing practices that benefit the environment.
Currently, the most common method for recycling plastic waste is mechanical recycling (i.e., sorting and processing plastic waste, then preparing it for subsequent use). The challenge is that polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), two of the most frequently used plastics worldwide, absorb contaminants (like colors or odors) that are often not removed during the mechanical recycling process. The resulting recycled material is often not useable in applications requiring high-purity materials, like in a new container for health or hygiene products.
That’s why we’re exploring innovative solutions to drive plastic circularity. Lee Ellen Drechsler, PhD, Senior Vice President, Corporate Functions R&D, shared her perspective on the subject and highlighted some of these exciting advancements in the March/April edition of Sustainable Plastics.
A few key takeaways from Lee Ellen:
Solvent-based purification recycling is a new, ground-breaking method being demonstrated at scale. This innovative approach removes deep-seated contaminants from PE and PP, better enabling material reuse without breaking down its structure. Importantly, this plastic-to-plastic process has demonstrated a lower carbon footprint versus new plastic production.
Collaboration is critical to driving adoption of new processes. These innovations have led to multiple industrial partnerships advancing solvent washing and dissolution recycling technologies. We realize the power of partnerships to accelerate industry-wide solutions and are collaborating to create solutions for greater impact.
Expanding our toolbox is key. Multiple technologies—including mechanical recycling, dissolution recycling, and chemical recycling—can be complementary, and all have a role in realizing the circularity of plastics.
Lee Ellen has been advancing innovation at P&G throughout her career, guiding disruptive, high-value products through every stage of the product lifecycle. With a PhD in Materials Science Engineering, Lee Ellen is a champion of industrializing technologies that can improve sustainability outcomes. She has championed global recycling initiatives, advocated for accelerating collaborations across public and private entities, and provided leadership and strategic support during the development of EC30, a new water-free single-dose line of cleaning products.
Read more about how we’re designing solutions for the toughest sustainability challenges.
