New family of recyclable plastics created 'by accident' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Jonathan Webb
Science reporter, BBC News

Researchers have developed a collection of new plastics that are recyclable and adaptable - and the discovery began with a laboratory mistake.

They include strong, stiff plastics and flexible gels that can mend themselves if torn.

The findings, reported in the journal Science, could lead to cheaper and greener cars, planes and electronics.

It is the first time that durable "thermoset" plastic has been produced in a recyclable form.

Dr Jeanette Garcia, from IBM's Almaden Research Center in San Jose, stumbled upon the first new class of thermosets in many years when she accidentally left one of three components out of a reaction.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27424318
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/344/6185/732

[Wounded Bear]

1. I hope this pans out...

Plastics is a huge part of fossil fuels consumption. People focus on transportation and power generation, sure, but this is probably number 3. Getting a workable recyclable version could be big.

[postulater]

2. Let's hope it doesn't contain some other miracle

chemical like BP-a that is safe until it isn't.