# ETH Zurich turns polyethylene and polypropylene waste into a lab adhesive for metal, glass and wood

- Published: 2026-11-14 05:03 UTC
- Section: Machines & Making › Materials science
- Tags: ETH Zurich adhesive, plastic waste upcycling, polyethylene recycling, polypropylene modification, polymer grafting, polyolefins, Journal of the American Chemical Society, light-driven chemistry, adhesive for metal glass wood
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-fbaa569e502786eb63373447_eth_zurich_turns/

**ETH Zurich researchers grafted new polymer chains onto polyethylene and polypropylene in one light-driven step; the lab samples bond metal, glass and wood.**

![ETH Zurich turns polyethylene and polypropylene waste into a lab adhesive for metal, glass and wood](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/3c5044925b994f72.jpg)
*larazon.es*

A team at ETH Zurich has obtained adhesives from polyethylene and polypropylene waste such as bags and bottles, according to larazon.es. The adhesives bond metal, glass and wood. [1] The work involves Hongsik Kim, Tae-Lim Choi and Athina Anastasaki and is described in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. [1]

Not every container is suitable: bottles and packaging can be made of different materials. [1]

## Grafting polymers onto polymers

Polyethylene and polypropylene are polyolefins, widely used in packaging and everyday products. Their low reactivity suits many uses but makes chemical modification difficult. [1]

The study proposes direct grafting of polymers onto polymers. The added chains change the behavior of the existing material instead of simply melting it and reshaping it into something similar. [1] The procedure uses light and a chlorinated solvent. According to ETH, it makes the transformation possible in a single step, without high temperatures or costly catalysts. [1] It is a laboratory chemical process, not a household recipe. [1]

The publication examines how the amount of grafted chains affects the material. A limited modification can preserve the crystalline order of polyolefins, while denser changes alter their response. [1] This tunability allows different combinations of properties to be explored. [1]

## Strength and open questions

ETH states that the joints reach strengths compatible with industrial-use criteria. This describes the tested samples; it does not mean a commercial adhesive certified for any load, temperature or working environment already exists. [1]

Using waste does not by itself demonstrate a given reduction in emissions or pollution. Assessment would require looking at collection, reagents, energy and the final fate of the adhesive. The solvent is a real part of the procedure and has to be counted when judging industrial use. [1] Prior sorting of materials also remains a relevant issue. [1]

The team also considers materials with better oxygen barriers for packaging, which is a line of development. [1] The work has led to a patent and a nomination for the ETH Spark Award. [1] The next challenge is making the process reproducible and scalable while keeping the joint performance and assessing costs and environmental effects. [1]

## Sources

1. [larazon.es](https://www.larazon.es/tecnologia-consumo/convierten-bolsas-botellas-plastico-usadas-adhesivo-capaz-unir-metal-vidrio-madera-resistencia-uso-industrial_202611136af4791a4196933d7ed9677f.html)

---

Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-fbaa569e502786eb63373447_eth_zurich_turns/