Process for recycling polyethylene terephthalate using different mono-ethylene glycol levels

A method for producing a first intermediate product, comprising:

• a. providing a feedstock that comprises a first polyester;
• b. contacting the feedstock with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V1 to obtain a first initial mixture, wherein the first amount is in the form of a liquid and wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the first polyester in the volume section V1 varies by less than 15%;
• c. transporting the first polyester from the volume section V1 to a volume section V2, wherein the volume section V2 is at least partially filled with the first organic compound, and wherein
• i. a level of the first organic compound in the volume section V1 is at a height H1 from a floor, and
• ii. a level of the first organic compound in the volume section V2 is at a height H2 from the floor;
• d. reducing an intrinsic viscosity of the first polyester in the volume section V2, wherein, after the reductions step has been completed, the first polyester has an intrinsic viscosity in the range of 0.10 dL/g to 0.45 dL/g;
• e. transporting the first polyester to a volume section V3;
• f. contacting the first polyester with a further organic compound in the volume section V3 to obtain a further initial mixture;
• g. reducing a weight average molar mass of the first polyester in the volume section, V3 to obtain a first intermediate mixture, wherein the first intermediate mixture comprises
• i. a first intermediate product that has an intrinsic viscosity in the range of 0.010 dL/g to 0.120 dL/g,
• ii. the further organic compound;
• wherein
• H1<H2, and at least a fraction of the first organic compound in the volume section V2 is transported from the volume section V2 to the volume section V1, with the intrinsic viscosity, H1, and H2 determined according to the methods described herein.