Representatives of the National University of Singapore announced the opening of a new method of plastic processing. According to scientists, now plastic can be processed into special substances – aerogels, which, thanks to their unique properties, will find application in many areas of production and construction. Airgel is a substance with the lowest possible density, in which the liquid molecules are almost completely replaced by gas molecules. As a result of this structure, the material turns out to be uniquely solid, light, possessing low thermal conductivity and transparency. Previously, aerogels were obtained from oxides of some metals, for example, tin, aluminum, and also carbon.

Due to the low thermal conductivity and refractoriness of the material, the airgel, obtained from plastic, can be used as a heater for houses, soundproof material, used in the cleaning process of oily substances and as absorption parts.

According to scientists, the method of production of plastic aerogels is environmentally friendly and relatively cheap, which will spread the technology around the world. It is expected that this method of processing will be a significant step in the process of eliminating the consequences of an environmental disaster caused by the accumulation of excessive volumes of plastic waste on Earth. Today, according to the UN, about 13 million tons of plastic waste are released into the oceans every year. Spreading in such a way on the planet, particles of plastic lead to the mass death of wildlife as a result of poisoning by toxins released by plastic. The period of decomposition of plastic reaches two hundred years, with only five percent of all world plastic waste today subject to complete recycling. Scientists have sounded the alarm in the middle of the last century, and since then the mankind has produced this material more than in the entire previous history.

At Singapore University, they are confident that the new technology can significantly reduce the amount of harmful emissions that pollute the atmosphere.