Characterization and modeling of phthalate methanolysis used in PVC recycling

IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) est un acteur majeur de la recherche et de la formation dans les domaines de l’énergie, du transport et de l’environnement. De la recherche à l’industrie, l’innovation technologique est au cœur de son action, articulée autour de quatre priorités stratégiques : Mobilité Durable, Energies Nouvelles, Climat / Environnement / Economie circulaire et Hydrocarbures Responsables.

Dans le cadre de la mission d’intérêt général confiée par les pouvoirs publics, IFPEN concentre ses efforts sur :

• l’apport de solutions aux défis sociétaux de l’énergie et du climat, en favorisant la transition vers une mobilité durable et l’émergence d’un mix énergétique plus diversifié ;
• la création de richesse et d’emplois, en soutenant l’activité économique française et européenne et la compétitivité des filières industrielles associées.

Partie intégrante d’IFPEN, l’école d’ingénieurs IFP School prépare les générations futures à relever ces défis.

Characterization and modeling of phthalate methanolysis used in PVC recycling

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the third most widely used polymer in the world, with production estimated at 55 million tons in 2025. Due to its unique properties and wide range of applications, it is difficult to replace, making recycling essential. However, this remains a real challenge, as PVC is often mixed with various additives in the objects it composes, with contents that can represent up to 60% by mass.

Some of these additives, although authorized during their initial manufacture, are now banned because of their hazardous nature. It is therefore imperative to remove these banned compounds to enable safe and efficient recycling of PVC, thereby contributing to a circular economy and reducing the impact of this material on human health and the environment.

Description

This internship is part of research conducted at IFPEN in connection with the development of recycling processes for flexible PVC. The distinctive feature of this type of PVC is the presence of phthalates, which are plasticizers banned by REACH regulations since 2020. To recycle this PVC, IFPEN is developing a purification process that involves converting phthalates through methanolysis into non-hazardous molecules.

More specifically, this internship aims to enhance the understanding of the physicochemical phenomena involved in the phthalate methanolysis reaction. The objective of the internship will be to characterize and then model the kinetics of this reaction.

To achieve this, the work will be divided into several steps:

• Acquisition of experimental data: conducting glassware trials with model phthalates, either pure or mixed;
• Analysis of the experimentally acquired data;
• Calibration of an existing kinetic model using a chosen optimizer;
• Simulation of real cases, i.e., methanolysis of phthalates extracted from industrial PVC.

Required profile

Master's student (M2) or equivalent

• Knowledge in chemical engineering, process engineering, and chemistry;
• interest in experimental work and programming;
• knowledges in the Python programming language.

Additional information

Duration of the internship: 6 months
Workplace: IFPEN Lyon, Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize, 69360 Solaize
Transport: public transportation / personal vehicle / carpooling
Paid internship 1130€/month (gross)