--- title: "DSC Tools for PCR Blends" id: "5645" type: "post" slug: "dsc-tools-for-pcr-blends" published_at: "2024-07-12T14:09:09+00:00" modified_at: "2024-07-09T14:11:24+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/07/dsc-tools-for-pcr-blends-005645/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/07/dsc-tools-for-pcr-blends-005645.md" excerpt: "To increase the amount of recycled content in plastic products, quality assurance of recyclates must improve. Some manufacturers attempt to characterize the PCR in-house, and DSC tools will be crucial." taxonomy_category: - "Building & Construction" - "Circular Economy" - "Durables" - "Education & Training" - "Equipment" - "Flexible Packaging" - "Food Packaging" - "Industry" - "Materials" - "Packaging" - "Process" - "Recyclate" - "Sustainability" - "Testing & Analysis" - "Trending" taxonomy_post_tag: - "DSC" - "DSC New Tools" - "masterbatch" - "Netzsch" - "PCR" - "Personalized Databases" - "post-consumer resin" - "Recyclate" - "Testing for Recyclate" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Materials](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/materials/) » [Recyclate](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/materials/recyclate/) » DSC Tools for PCR Blends # DSC Tools for PCR Blends More testing is required to include post-consumer resin (PCR) and optimize the process for different recyclate blends.### To increase the amount of recycled content in plastic products, quality assurance of recyclates must improve. Some manufacturers attempt to characterize the PCR in-house, and DSC tools will be crucial. Numerous companies aim to integrate more recycled content into their production. However, the process presents significant challenges. The variability of materials from batch to batch, coupled with the unknown mechanical and thermal properties, presents significant hurdles. **You can also read:** [Additives to enhance post-consumer recycled (PCR)](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2023/10/additives-to-enhance-pcr-content-002098/) ## More Testing for Recyclate Consequently, more testing is required to include post-consumer resin (PCR) and optimize the process for different recyclate blends. Alec Redmann, Sector Manager for Polymers Composites and Thermosets at NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing, spoke to Plastics Engineering Magazine about the new tools the company is implementing to provide better application support within the polymer division. “One significant challenge in the industry is identifying the composition of complex blends in recycled materials,” said Redmann. Recyclers often deal with blends of polypropylene and polyethylene. These materials are difficult to identify accurately. Tools like differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) help create unique fingerprints for individual materials. This aids in precise identification. ## DSC New Tools Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a must-have tool for identifying polymers based on their thermal behavior. It is widely used in the industry. However, identifying recyclate, a blend of different polymers, becomes more challenging. To tackle this problem, [NETZSCH](https://analyzing-testing.netzsch.com/es/application-literature/netzsch-tools-to-identify-and-quantify-different-plastic-compositions-in-the-recycling-stream) has developed new tools for peak separation in DSC to handle complex blends. This involves mathematical modeling to separate overlapping peaks, allowing for the accurate identification and quantification of different polymers in a blend. Peak deconvolution in DSC is a crucial advancement, enhancing the tool’s capability to analyze complex materials. This tool is different from modulated DSC and helps recyclers and manufacturers understand the composition of their materials quickly and accurately. Knowing the precise composition of recycled materials is vital for determining their suitability for various applications. For example, in injection molding, the composition affects the value and usability of recycled materials. Accurate identification can significantly impact the efficiency and quality of the manufacturing process. TM-DSC result for HDPE (PE100 sample) showing the average DSC signal with a solid black line, the reversing signal of the total heat flow with dotted black line and the non-reversing signal of the total heat flow with dashed blue line. Courtesy of [NETZSCH.](https://analyzing-testing.netzsch.com/es/application-literature/netzsch-tools-to-identify-and-quantify-different-plastic-compositions-in-the-recycling-stream) ## Personalized Databases Furthermore, to enhance accuracy, customers can create their own databases based on their specific materials. This customization improves the efficiency of material identification processes. Consequently, it allows companies to rely less on external databases and more on tailored solutions that fit their needs. NETZSCH is setting new standards by providing more focused application support, developing new tools, and expanding its reach. These innovations will help recyclers and manufacturers improve efficiency, accuracy, and overall process quality. Additionally, it can help manufacturers include more PCR in their products, promoting sustainability in the plastic industry. By **[Juliana Montoya](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/jmontoyaplasticsengineering-org/)** | July 12, 2024 [https://www.plasticsengineering.org](https://www.plasticsengineering.org) ##### [Juliana Montoya](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/jmontoyaplasticsengineering-org/) [Website](https://www.plasticsengineering.org) | [+ postsBio ⮌](#) ### Other posts you could read [March 31, 2026FlexForum 2026: Key Policy Shifts in Flexible Packaging](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/03/flexforum-2026-key-policy-shifts-in-flexible-packaging-011125/) [April 6, 2026The Debut of the SPE IMPACT Awards](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/the-debut-of-the-spe-impact-awards-011102/) [April 9, 2026FlexForum 2026 Brings Flexible Packaging Leaders to Fort Myers](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/flexforum-2026-brings-flexible-packaging-leaders-to-fort-myers-011346/) [April 22, 2026Beyond Flaps: How Composite Skins Enable Morphing Wing Design](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/beyond-flaps-how-composite-skins-enable-morphing-wing-design-010950/) [April 24, 2026Emerging Markets for Polyolefins in the Solar Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/emerging-markets-for-polyolefins-in-the-solar-industry-011128/) [April 21, 2026Flame-Resistant Polymers for Space Safety and Aerospace Use](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/flame-resistant-polymers-for-space-safety-and-aerospace-use-011162/) [April 15, 2026ANTEC 2026: Rheology Understanding Leads to Competitiveness](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/antec-2026-rheology-understanding-leads-to-competitiveness-010797/) [April 15, 2026Advancing Sustainable Printed Electronics](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/advancing-sustainable-printed-electronics-011032/) ## Share Your Thoughts [Cancel reply](/2024/07/dsc-tools-for-pcr-blends-005645/#respond) - [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=5645&text=DSC+Tools+for+PCR+Blends&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=5645&text=DSC+Tools+for+PCR+Blends&via=Plastics_Mag) - [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=5645&t=DSC+Tools+for+PCR+Blends](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=5645&t=DSC+Tools+for+PCR+Blends) - [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=5645&title=DSC%20Tools%20for%20PCR%20Blends&summary=To+increase+the+amount+of+recycled+content+in+plastic+products%2C+quality+assurance+of+recyclates+must+improve.+Some+manufacturers+attempt+to+characterize+the+PCR+in-house%2C+and+DSC+tools+will+be+crucial.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=5645&title=DSC%20Tools%20for%20PCR%20Blends&summary=To+increase+the+amount+of+recycled+content+in+plastic+products%2C+quality+assurance+of+recyclates+must+improve.+Some+manufacturers+attempt+to+characterize+the+PCR+in-house%2C+and+DSC+tools+will+be+crucial.&source=Plastics+Engineering) - [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=5645&title=DSC+Tools+for+PCR+Blends](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=5645&title=DSC+Tools+for+PCR+Blends) - [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bc83cfc9ded6d9dfc881ecd0ddcfc8d5dfcf9cf9d2dbd5d2d9d9ced5d2db9c919cf8efff9ce8d3d3d0cf9cdad3ce9cecffee9cfed0d9d2d8cf9aded3d8c581d4c8c8cccf869393cbcbcb92ccd0ddcfc8d5dfcfd9d2dbd5d2d9d9ced5d2db92d3cedb9383cc81898a8889](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bc83cfc9ded6d9dfc881ecd0ddcfc8d5dfcf9cf9d2dbd5d2d9d9ced5d2db9c919cf8efff9ce8d3d3d0cf9cdad3ce9cecffee9cfed0d9d2d8cf9aded3d8c581d4c8c8cccf869393cbcbcb92ccd0ddcfc8d5dfcfd9d2dbd5d2d9d9ced5d2db92d3cedb9383cc81898a8889) - [#comments](#comments)