Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most produced thermoplastics in the world, which has been widely used in packaging, e.g., expanded foams and containers, and electronics. Addition of wood-derived products, including cellulose fibres and lignin, into PS matrix as fillers, reinforcement, and functionalities, has been studied and reported. With the impact of plastics, specially packaging materials, on the environment, more and more attention has been paid to reuse, reduction, and recycling of such
materials. An important characteristic of PS is that it can be chemically recycled: a process where PS is depolymerized to the original monomer via pyrolysis. After purification, these monomers can be reused to produce PS. Chemical recycling PS has been commercialized, and there are plants in Canada, including Polystyvert and Pyrowave. This report reviews the current status of PS chemical recycling, the application of wood-derived products in PS, and the potential effect of such additives
in PS chemical recycling. The purpose of this report is to provide insights of potential opportunities in this field for FPInnovations.