Polycarbonate (PC), an engineering thermoplastic, comes from sources like textile accessories, automotive lights, discs, and telecom equipment. Recycling involves sorting by color and type—some parts are coated or modified. Processes such as deplating clean colored PC and disc hubs, similar to ABS recycling. After drying and classification, materials are extruded into pellets. Yellowed PC can be processed into opaque white, while transparent PC may remain clear; colorants and additives adjust hues as needed. Specialized extruders handle pelletizing, though PC is prone to aging and cannot withstand repeated recycling. Recently, environmental regulations in areas like Zhejiang Cixi have restricted unlicensed and polluting recycling operations, reducing PC recycled material supply. This shortage has drawn attention from industries like sheet manufacturing, which relies on PC for endurance and daylighting panels.
