1Faculty of Polymer Chemical Engineering, Hamhung University of Chemical Engineering, Hamhung 999092, North Korea
2Faculty of Printing Engineering, Pyongyang University of Publishing and Printing, Pyongyang 999093, North Korea
3Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Hamhung Branch of Science University, Hamhung 999092, North Korea
4 Department of City Management, Pyongyang University of Architecture, Pyongyang 999093, North Korea
BibTex Citation Data :
@article{JCERP20739, author = {Ri Myong Kim and Jun Hyok Oh and Il Song Ryang and Jong Nam Kim and Yong Il Kim and Guk Chan Kim and Kuang Min Ho and Kum Hyok Ju and Ryong Chol Son}, title = {Valorization of Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate as a Functional Binder for Ballpoint Pen Ink: A Circular Economy Approach}, journal = {Journal of Chemical Engineering Research Progress}, volume = {0}, number = {0}, year = {2026}, keywords = {Waste PET Recycling； Glycolysis；Ballpoint Pen Ink； Circular Economy； Sustainable Materials； Oligomeric Resin}, abstract = { The global accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste poses a serious environmental challenge, and the stationery industry remains dependent on virgin petrochemical binders for ballpoint pen inks. This study presents a sustainable upcycling approach that converts waste PET into a functional ink binder. PET bottles were chemically depolymerized via glycolysis with glycerol using zinc acetate as a catalyst. The reaction conditions were systematically optimized, and the optimal parameters—a PET-to-glycerol mass ratio of 1:1.1, 0.6 wt% catalyst, 230 °C, and 4 hours—yielded an oligomeric resin with a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 1,800 g/mol, as confirmed by FT-IR, GPC, and HPLC. The depolymerization product was formulated into a black ballpoint pen ink with nigrosine dye as the colorant and phenol as the solvent. The optimal formulation (binder:phenol:nigrosine = 7:2:1, plus 0.8 wt% Span-80) exhibited excellent performance: appropriate viscosity, a drying time of ≤19 seconds, reliable temperature resistance from –20 to 40 °C, strong UV resistance of ≥72 hours, and extended storage stability of ≥340 days. All properties met or exceeded industry standards. This work demonstrates a practical, cost-effective, and sustainable route to upcycle PET waste into a high-value stationery product, reducing plastic pollution while replacing petrochemical binders. }, issn = {3032-7059}, pages = {14} doi = {10.9767/jcerp.20739}, url = {https://journal.bcrec.id/index.php/jcerp/article/view/20739} }
Refworks Citation Data :
The global accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste poses a serious environmental challenge, and the stationery industry remains dependent on virgin petrochemical binders for ballpoint pen inks. This study presents a sustainable upcycling approach that converts waste PET into a functional ink binder. PET bottles were chemically depolymerized via glycolysis with glycerol using zinc acetate as a catalyst. The reaction conditions were systematically optimized, and the optimal parameters—a PET-to-glycerol mass ratio of 1:1.1, 0.6 wt% catalyst, 230 °C, and 4 hours—yielded an oligomeric resin with a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 1,800 g/mol, as confirmed by FT-IR, GPC, and HPLC. The depolymerization product was formulated into a black ballpoint pen ink with nigrosine dye as the colorant and phenol as the solvent. The optimal formulation (binder:phenol:nigrosine = 7:2:1, plus 0.8 wt% Span-80) exhibited excellent performance: appropriate viscosity, a drying time of ≤19 seconds, reliable temperature resistance from –20 to 40 °C, strong UV resistance of ≥72 hours, and extended storage stability of ≥340 days. All properties met or exceeded industry standards. This work demonstrates a practical, cost-effective, and sustainable route to upcycle PET waste into a high-value stationery product, reducing plastic pollution while replacing petrochemical binders.
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The Journal of Chemical Engineering Research Progress is published by UPT Laboratorium Terpadu Universitas Diponegoro jointly with Masyarakat Katalis Indonesia - Indonesian Catalyst Society (MKICS) Publisher. The technical management of the JCERP journal is supported by with BCREC Publishing Group.
