Characterization and separation behavior of multi-layers in aluminum-rich waste pharmaceutical blisters

Abstract

Al-rich waste pharmaceutical blisters (WPBs) have a multi-layer structure that contains aluminum and polymer-based fractions. Although the aluminum mass in WPBs is less than typical aluminum packaging products such as beverage cans, establishing a feasible recycling procedure is possible by separating the fractions to recover both metal and plastic. Hydrometallurgical methods are mostly preferred for the separation of aluminum and plastic in multi-layered structures. This work reports the characterization of Al-rich WPBs and the separation behavior of aluminum and plastic layers. The effects of hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, sulfuric acid, ethanol, acetone, and organic solvent (benzene–ethanol–water) on the separation behavior of layers were studied at different temperatures. Furthermore, the recycling yield of the aluminum fraction was experimentally assessed. © 2023, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.