Investigations for properties improvement of recycled PE polymer particles-reinforced mortars for repair practice

•Investigations on durability of recycled PE-reinforced mortars using a superplasticiser.•Mortar with 2% PE volumetric polymer particles induced significant improvements.•Recycled PE-reinforced mortars appear particularly promising for repair works. Investigations for the properties improvement of recycled PE polymer particles-reinforced mortars were carried out using FTIR, XRD, SEM, capillary absorption, mass variation and compression and splitting tensile strengths. The experimental findings highlight great enhancements in the properties of the composite mortar at 2% PE volume content, in comparison with plain mortars and earlier research results. Overall outcomes indicate that such mortar can be qualified as an advantageous and promising composite material for repair practice and strengthening of concrete components in aggressive media, especially when taking into account cost savings and plastic wastes recycling.