Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) is an established method for the rapid and non-destructive identification of various types of polymers. In this process, the material is irradiated

To investigate this, we used a near-infrared device. This technology allows various polymers to be identified and analyzed. Which plastics can be detected in Felix’s

This very property makes polystyrene so lightweight and insulating at the same time. That’s why it’s frequently used for packaging, insulation materials, and coolers. Its

At the catalaix research center, we selectively comminute actual polymer products for further analysis and test series. This is an essential step in processing waste

Copyright for the scientific illustration: L. Lauterbach, P. Wasserscheid et al. Researchers at RWTH Aachen University and the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg for Renewable Energies are

30 June 2026 In the future, microorganisms could help return hard-to-recycle plastics back into the recycling loop. Nick Wierckx, a molecular biologist at Jülich, explains