Restabilization – 30 years of research for quality improvement of recycled plastics review

•„Restabilization - 30 years of research for quality improvement of recycled plastics” reviews the state of the art of the field from the first days up to now. The review covers the history of restabilization, differences between virgin plastics and recyclates, concepts and benefits for restabilization and concludes with some thoughts on restabilization and the environment. The paper will help to support researchers to understand the challenges of recycled plastics and to benefit from the use of stabilizers for successful applications. Circular economy will change our way to design plastic products in order to provide greater durability, reuse and high-quality recycling. In addition to improve design to make plastic products easier to recycle, collection and sorting will be expanded and viable markets for recycled and renewable plastics will be created. In any case mechanical recycling of plastics will grow and the quality of recyclates has to be enhanced to replace pristine polymers. Additives and stabilizers are essential ingredients of recycled plastics to improve quality and to guarantee processing and service life while replacing virgin polymers and supporting sustainable plastic applications. 30 years of research and development in restabilization of recycled polymers are reviewed describing differences between virgin and recycled polymers, concepts and benefits of restabilization and environmental considerations.