Re- thinking PMMA
For many, “plastic” is one big skein, associated with a “use and throw away” image. But there are a thousand ways of saying plastic. Every plastic material has its own characteristics, properties and applications and its lifecycle. PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate –also known as acrylic) is just one of the existing materials. PMMA is a durable plastic, known for its transparency, for the easy processing, the multiple colors and finishes, for its resistance. In the context of a sustainable circular economy it most interesting characteristic is that it can be regenerated back to its original raw material, an organic solvent called MMA (Methyl Methacrylate). The process, known as de-polymerization process, allows to regain a high quality regenerated monomer (R-MMA), from which we produce Green Cast® sheets, cast acrylic sheets 100% recycled and recyclable.
We invested in research, collaborating with Italian and German universities , to perfect a process of regeneration of end of life PMMA, coming from pre and post-consumer material.
This process can be repeated countless times, and most importantly, without the end product (the sheets) losing its optical, mechanical and thermal characteristics.
Our challenge at Madreperla for the last years was to act proactively to promote 100% recycled and recyclable products, and implementing with all the stakeholders a circular process. We have developed over the last years a sustainable value chain that we’re trying to perfect every day in cooperation with our partners.
Our Process
This process allows to:
● reduce the use of raw materials
● recover end of life products from pre and post-consumer that would be destined to landfill or incineration
● reduce the emission of C02
● reduce other indicators such as acidification potential, eutrophication potential, etc.
● help entities to start their own sustainability path
Green Cast:
● complies to ISO 7823.1
● has a certified EPD (Environmental product declaration)
● is certified ISO 9001 specifically for the production of 100% recycled raw material and for the production of Green Cast sheets, 100% recycled
● allows to get credits for the LEED certification
For all the certifications and important documents go to our “download” section.