Anh at Evonik: Chemical Recycling of PET

Hi,
I am Anh and I am studying Chemistry for my Master's degree at RWTH Aachen University. Currently, I am completing a six-month internship in Hanau in the field of process engineering in the department of polymer technologies, where I am researching an exciting project on the chemical recycling of PET.

As a chemist, I came into contact with the big names in the German chemical industry early on. However, my first intensive contact with Evonik only came through my FEMTEC scholarship, which allowed me to go on an excursion to the chemical park in Marl. I found it exciting back then that Evonik operates so many different types of chemistry and that a bit of Evonik can be found in many everyday objects. Therefore, I decided to apply for an internship in research and development in chemical recycling – a topic close to my heart from my previous student job – and found myself in the industrial park Wolfgang in Hanau.

Right after I started, I began my work on the project for the chemical recycling of PET in the catalyst department. Currently, only a fraction of PET-containing products, namely those that are not very structurally "complex," can be mechanically recycled, as is the case with classic PET bottles. More complex PET-containing products, such as films, trays, or multilayer materials, are usually not recycled at all but are burned or deposited in landfills. Evonik is working on developing technologies that can break down these complex PET waste streams into their core components to reuse them for the synthesis of new PET. However, you can certainly imagine that this is very complicated due to various factors, not least because of the numerous impurities in the PET waste streams. From organic residues to foreign plastics to dyes, everything is included, in varying concentrations and types.

I was entrusted with a sub-project in which I was to develop a process for removing these impurities that works reliably for different PET waste streams. I was allowed to handle the entire range of research, from literature review to experimental planning to execution and evaluation. This was a bit intimidating at first, as it was my first independent project. However, I quickly grew into the tasks and enjoyed it a lot, especially due to the positive collaboration within the team. It was particularly enriching that I could contribute and implement my own ideas directly, allowing me to truly feel the sub-project as my own. Despite the great freedom, I never felt left alone. Everyone in the team, especially my supervisor, was always there to support me with advice and assistance when I was unsure. Through the research in the project, I was able to gain valuable research experience. I learned what I am already good at in research and where I can still improve, as well as how industrial research and process development work. The discussion rounds during the presentation of my results with my colleagues were particularly valuable, as I learned important ways of thinking that will accompany me in research projects beyond this project.

What will undoubtedly remain in my memory from my internship is the whole "surroundings." The conversations in passing, shared lunches, and tours of the site have greatly enriched my workday. In particular, the discussions with colleagues at different positions and career stages about their career paths were fascinating and showed me how diverse the possibilities are after studying chemistry and where my desired professions might lie.

My internship has truly been worthwhile. I have learned a lot, had fun, and the experiences have helped me grow both professionally and personally. I hope I was able to give you a small insight into my internship experience.

Best regards
Anh

On the students@Evonik blog, students, who work at Evonik, share their experiences about life and work in the company.