Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polyester widely used in beverage bottles and packaging materials, accounting for approximately 60% of global plastic production. Due to its non-biodegradable nature, the accumulation of waste PET has posed a serious environmental challenge worldwide. In recent years, the recycling of PET for use in road engineering has been considered an effective approach to promote resource circulation and reduce plastic pollution. This paper first reviews the main recycling methods of PET, including mechanical shredding and chemical depolymerization, and analyzes its molecular structure, thermal properties, and reprocessing adaptability. Two typical engineering application paths are then evaluated: one involves using chemically treated PET as a modifier in asphalt binder, and the other involves partially replacing aggregate in asphalt mixtures with PET particles or fibers. Studies have shown that incorporating PET in the range of 2%–6% can significantly improve the softening point and viscosity of the binder, while enhancing the Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength, and rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures. Improvements in water stability and fatigue life have also been observed. These enhancements exhibit threshold characteristics, where appropriate dosages contribute to better structural performance, but excessive use may lead to poor dispersion and compatibility issues. Finally, based on life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA), the environmental and economic benefits of PET reuse are quantified. The results indicate a potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 10%–18% and a decrease in material costs by 20%–30%.
Recommended Citation
R. Huang et al., "Recycling Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate For Asphalt Modification: A Comprehensive Review On Material Properties, Processing Techniques, And Engineering Applications," Journal of Road Engineering, Elsevier; KeAi Communications Co. Ltd., Jan 2026.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jreng.2026.03.005
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Publication Status
Open Access
Keywords and Phrases
Environmental sustainability; Performance evaluation; Polyethylene terephthalate; Recycling and reuse; Road engineering
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
2773-0077; 2097-0498
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 The Author(s), All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2026
Comments
National Key Research and Development Program of China, Grant 2023YFB2604601