9.1.3 Sample analysIs
Upon arrival at The Ocean Cleanup in The Netherlands,
the Hawai’i sample was subjected to several analyses
and tests, in order to identify feasible ways of treatment
of this type of debris for maximum recovery of its intrinsic
material value. The Dutch company Recycling Avenue BV
has carried out a general characterization including size
and density distribution as well as material composition.
Subsequently, several analyses were performed to determine
to what extent the polyolefin plastics in the sample
are degraded due to weathering (e.g. UV radiation and
bacterial activity). The degradation tests were carried out
at the Laboratório de Polímeros, Universidade de Caxias
do Sul, Brasil. In addition, SITA Benelux and the Hungarian
company PowerEnergykft carried out tests to produce
pyrolysis oil from the polyolefin plastics.