Method for depolymerizing polyester

Abstract

A method for depolymerizing a polyester, the method comprising: forming a mixture comprising the following components (a), (b), and (c): (a) a polyester; (b) one or more alkali compounds selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal bicarbonate, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth metal carbonate, and an alkaline earth metal bicarbonate; and (c) a solvent comprising at least one of an alcohol-based solvent or a ketone-based solvent, and depolymerizing the polyester in the mixture. A temperature of the mixture at a time when the mixture comprising an entire amount of the polyester, the alkali compound, and the solvent is formed is 75° C. or less. A ratio of an amount of the polyester to an amount of the solvent is from 0.2 to 20 on a mass basis.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.