April 15, 2025 17:22

Canadian company Polystyvert is broadening the scope of its recycling by dissolution and purification technology platform.
Initially developed for styrenic resins such as polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), the process has now shown promise for use with mainstream thermoplastics including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate.

To reflect this strategic shift, the company plans to rebrand as UpSolv—a name that alludes to both its dissolution technology (“Solv”) and the concept of upcycling ("Up"). The new identity aims to position the firm as a broader player in the sustainable plastics sector.

UpSolv is actively seeking strategic partnerships to speed up the development and deployment of its technology, both in Canada and internationally, as part of a push to help eliminate plastic waste.

The recycling of contaminated polystyrene has now been demonstrated and Polystyvert's first commercial plant is under development. The company's technology is protected by over 40 patents across 17 countries and is scalable to industrial levels. It uses standard equipment, closed-loop solvent recovery, and operates under low temperature and pressure—offering a sustainable alternative to traditional recycling methods.

“Dissolution is a low energy-intensive recycling solution,” the company explains. ” The process is praised for its selectivity and flexibility: once the polymer matrix is dissolved in a targeted solvent, the liquid solution undergoes a series of purification steps, yielding high-quality pellets with properties comparable to virgin resins.

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