Recycling potential of end-of-life PVC from bathroom mat application: Processing and performance analysis

Pua, Sze Yang (2026) Recycling potential of end-of-life PVC from bathroom mat application: Processing and performance analysis. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

This study investigates the optimisation of processing conditions and material performance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blended with scrap PVC (sPVC) for sustainable bathroom mat applications. The work focuses on addressing PVC waste challenges by enhancing recyclability while maintaining required material properties. Processing analysis identified 175 to 180 °C as the optimal temperature range, with improved melt behaviour, reduced torque, and effective fusion between virgin and recycled PVC. Mechanical results confirmed that all blends met standard requirements, while hardness criteria were only satisfied at ≥175 °C, highlighting the importance of sufficient processing temperature. Among the compositions studied, the 50/50 PVC/sPVC blend demonstrated the best balance of processability and performance, exhibiting the lowest torque and stable mechanical properties. Thermal and FTIR analyzes verified that the recycling process did not induce chemical degradation, while density, water absorption, and chemical resistance tests showed that samples processed at 180 °C possessed superior structural integrity and durability. Overall, the 50/50 blend processed at 180 °C is identified as the optimum condition, delivering a strong combination of performance and sustainability. The findings confirm that scrap PVC can be effectively recycled into high-value products without compromising quality, supporting the development of efficient and environmentally responsible polymer recycling solutions.

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