Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains
Fernando Jasso Palacio | International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering | Vol 12, Issue 02 | pp. 1-22 | ISSN: 2455-8745
Abstract
Quality grading systems for recycled thermoplastic resins providing industrial buyers with a standardized, documented quality classification framework for secondary raw material procurement are a foundational requirement for the reliable integration of recycled materials into industrial supply chains. Despite this requirement, no standardized grading scale has been established for post- industrial and post-consumer PP, HDPE, and LDPE resins in industrial supply chain contexts. This paper presents the design, operational implementation, and commercial validation of a hierarchical three-tier quality grading system Grade A (Near Prime), Grade B (Commercial Grade), and Grade C IJPSE STM — Jasso Palacio — Three-Tier Grading System | Page 2 (Low Grade) developed through more than twenty years of secondary polymer distribution practice and formalized in USPTO Provisional Patent Application No. 64/043,650, filed April 19, 2026, through Maja World Wide LLC. The paper describes the multi-criteria grade assignment criteria for each tier across the six evaluation dimensions of the evaluation protocol (visual inspection, polymer type verification, physical form, MFI, processing behavior, and supplier reliability), presents the commercial grade distribution across PP, HDPE, and LDPE streams (35% Grade A, 45% Grade B, 20% Grade C), and validates the industrial buyer specification compliance rates achievable for each grade across packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods applications. Grade A material achieves compliance rates of 96.8–98.1%, Grade B achieves 90.8–93.1%, and Grade C processed through proportional blending achieves 86.4–89.1% across application categories. The three-tier grading system provides the standardized quality language necessary for contractual specification guarantees in recycled resin supply agreements, directly enabling the industrial buyer confidence required for sustained circular economy procurement commitments.
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1. Tadmor Z, Gogos CG. Principles of Polymer Processing. 2nd ed. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley-Interscience; 2006. 2. ASTM International. ASTM D1238-23: Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer. West Conshohocken (PA): ASTM International; 2023. 3. Association of Plastic Recyclers. APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability. Washington (DC): APR; 2024. 4. US Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: Use of Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging. Silver Spring (MD): FDA; 2023. 5. Ragaert K, Delva L, Van Geem K. Mechanical and chemical recycling of solid plastic waste. Waste Manag. 2017;69:24–58. 6. Vilaplana F, Karlsson S. Quality concepts for the improved use of recycled polymeric materials. Macromol Mater Eng. 2008;293(4):274–297. 7. Jasso Palacio F. System and Method for Multi-Criteria Grading, Quality Certification, and Industry- Specific Matching of Recycled Plastic Resins for Secondary Industrial Supply Chain Distribution. USPTO Provisional Patent Application No. 64/043,650. Filed 2026 Apr 19. Patent Pending. 8. Monczka RM, Handfield RB, Giunipero LC, Patterson JL. Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. 5th ed. Mason (OH): Cengage Learning; 2016. 9. Geyer R, Jambeck JR, Law KL. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Sci Adv. 2017;3(7):e1700782. 10. United States Environmental Protection Agency. National Recycling Strategy: Part One of a Series on Building a Circular Economy for All. Washington (DC): EPA; 2021. 11. Al-Salem SM, Lettieri P, Baeyens J. Recycling and recovery routes of plastic solid waste (PSW): A review. Waste Manag. 2009;29(8):2625–2643. 12. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics. Cowes (UK): Ellen MacArthur Foundation; 2016. Int J Polym Sci Eng | Jasso Palacio | Page 15 13. Hamad K, Kaseem M, Deri F. Recycling of waste from polymer materials: An overview of the recent works. Polym Degrad Stab. 2013;98(12):2801–2812.
How to cite this article
APA
Palacio, F. J. (2026). Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains. International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering, 12(02), 1-22.
MLA
Palacio, Fernando Jasso. “Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains.” International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 12, no. 02, 2026, pp. 1-22.
Chicago
Fernando Jasso Palacio. “Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains.” International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering 12, no. 02 (2026): 1-22.
Vancouver
Palacio FJ. Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains. International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering. 2026;12(02):1-22.
BibTeX
@article{PalacioFJ2026,
author = {Fernando Jasso Palacio},
title = {Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains},
journal = {International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering},
year = {2026},
volume = {12},
number = {02},
pages = {1--22},
issn = {2455-8745},
url = {https://journalspub.com/publication/ijpse/article=25650}
}
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Fernando Jasso Palacio | International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering | Vol 12, Issue 02 | pp. 1-22 | ISSN: 2455-8745
Abstract
Quality grading systems for recycled thermoplastic resins providing industrial buyers with a standardized, documented quality classification framework for secondary raw material procurement are a foundational requirement for the reliable integration of recycled materials into industrial supply chains. Despite this requirement, no standardized grading scale has been established for post- industrial and post-consumer PP, HDPE, and LDPE resins in industrial supply chain contexts. This paper presents the design, operational implementation, and commercial validation of a hierarchical three-tier quality grading system Grade A (Near Prime), Grade B (Commercial Grade), and Grade C IJPSE STM — Jasso Palacio — Three-Tier Grading System | Page 2 (Low Grade) developed through more than twenty years of secondary polymer distribution practice and formalized in USPTO Provisional Patent Application No. 64/043,650, filed April 19, 2026, through Maja World Wide LLC. The paper describes the multi-criteria grade assignment criteria for each tier across the six evaluation dimensions of the evaluation protocol (visual inspection, polymer type verification, physical form, MFI, processing behavior, and supplier reliability), presents the commercial grade distribution across PP, HDPE, and LDPE streams (35% Grade A, 45% Grade B, 20% Grade C), and validates the industrial buyer specification compliance rates achievable for each grade across packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods applications. Grade A material achieves compliance rates of 96.8–98.1%, Grade B achieves 90.8–93.1%, and Grade C processed through proportional blending achieves 86.4–89.1% across application categories. The three-tier grading system provides the standardized quality language necessary for contractual specification guarantees in recycled resin supply agreements, directly enabling the industrial buyer confidence required for sustained circular economy procurement commitments.
🔒 This is a subscription article
Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.
1. Tadmor Z, Gogos CG. Principles of Polymer Processing. 2nd ed. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley-Interscience; 2006. 2. ASTM International. ASTM D1238-23: Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer. West Conshohocken (PA): ASTM International; 2023. 3. Association of Plastic Recyclers. APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability. Washington (DC): APR; 2024. 4. US Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: Use of Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging. Silver Spring (MD): FDA; 2023. 5. Ragaert K, Delva L, Van Geem K. Mechanical and chemical recycling of solid plastic waste. Waste Manag. 2017;69:24–58. 6. Vilaplana F, Karlsson S. Quality concepts for the improved use of recycled polymeric materials. Macromol Mater Eng. 2008;293(4):274–297. 7. Jasso Palacio F. System and Method for Multi-Criteria Grading, Quality Certification, and Industry- Specific Matching of Recycled Plastic Resins for Secondary Industrial Supply Chain Distribution. USPTO Provisional Patent Application No. 64/043,650. Filed 2026 Apr 19. Patent Pending. 8. Monczka RM, Handfield RB, Giunipero LC, Patterson JL. Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. 5th ed. Mason (OH): Cengage Learning; 2016. 9. Geyer R, Jambeck JR, Law KL. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Sci Adv. 2017;3(7):e1700782. 10. United States Environmental Protection Agency. National Recycling Strategy: Part One of a Series on Building a Circular Economy for All. Washington (DC): EPA; 2021. 11. Al-Salem SM, Lettieri P, Baeyens J. Recycling and recovery routes of plastic solid waste (PSW): A review. Waste Manag. 2009;29(8):2625–2643. 12. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics. Cowes (UK): Ellen MacArthur Foundation; 2016. Int J Polym Sci Eng | Jasso Palacio | Page 15 13. Hamad K, Kaseem M, Deri F. Recycling of waste from polymer materials: An overview of the recent works. Polym Degrad Stab. 2013;98(12):2801–2812.
How to cite this article
APA
Palacio, F. J. (2026). Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains. International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering, 12(02), 1-22.
MLA
Palacio, Fernando Jasso. “Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains.” International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 12, no. 02, 2026, pp. 1-22.
Chicago
Fernando Jasso Palacio. “Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains.” International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering 12, no. 02 (2026): 1-22.
Vancouver
Palacio FJ. Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains. International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering. 2026;12(02):1-22.
BibTeX
@article{PalacioFJ2026,
author = {Fernando Jasso Palacio},
title = {Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains},
journal = {International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering},
year = {2026},
volume = {12},
number = {02},
pages = {1--22},
issn = {2455-8745},
url = {https://journalspub.com/publication/ijpse/article=25650}
}
Fernando Jasso Palacio | International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering | Vol 12, Issue 02 | pp. 1-22 | ISSN: 2455-8745
Abstract
Quality grading systems for recycled thermoplastic resins providing industrial buyers with a standardized, documented quality classification framework for secondary raw material procurement are a foundational requirement for the reliable integration of recycled materials into industrial supply chains. Despite this requirement, no standardized grading scale has been established for post- industrial and post-consumer PP, HDPE, and LDPE resins in industrial supply chain contexts. This paper presents the design, operational implementation, and commercial validation of a hierarchical three-tier quality grading system Grade A (Near Prime), Grade B (Commercial Grade), and Grade C IJPSE STM — Jasso Palacio — Three-Tier Grading System | Page 2 (Low Grade) developed through more than twenty years of secondary polymer distribution practice and formalized in USPTO Provisional Patent Application No. 64/043,650, filed April 19, 2026, through Maja World Wide LLC. The paper describes the multi-criteria grade assignment criteria for each tier across the six evaluation dimensions of the evaluation protocol (visual inspection, polymer type verification, physical form, MFI, processing behavior, and supplier reliability), presents the commercial grade distribution across PP, HDPE, and LDPE streams (35% Grade A, 45% Grade B, 20% Grade C), and validates the industrial buyer specification compliance rates achievable for each grade across packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods applications. Grade A material achieves compliance rates of 96.8–98.1%, Grade B achieves 90.8–93.1%, and Grade C processed through proportional blending achieves 86.4–89.1% across application categories. The three-tier grading system provides the standardized quality language necessary for contractual specification guarantees in recycled resin supply agreements, directly enabling the industrial buyer confidence required for sustained circular economy procurement commitments.
🔒 This is a subscription article
Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.
1. Tadmor Z, Gogos CG. Principles of Polymer Processing. 2nd ed. Hoboken (NJ): Wiley-Interscience; 2006. 2. ASTM International. ASTM D1238-23: Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer. West Conshohocken (PA): ASTM International; 2023. 3. Association of Plastic Recyclers. APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability. Washington (DC): APR; 2024. 4. US Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: Use of Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging. Silver Spring (MD): FDA; 2023. 5. Ragaert K, Delva L, Van Geem K. Mechanical and chemical recycling of solid plastic waste. Waste Manag. 2017;69:24–58. 6. Vilaplana F, Karlsson S. Quality concepts for the improved use of recycled polymeric materials. Macromol Mater Eng. 2008;293(4):274–297. 7. Jasso Palacio F. System and Method for Multi-Criteria Grading, Quality Certification, and Industry- Specific Matching of Recycled Plastic Resins for Secondary Industrial Supply Chain Distribution. USPTO Provisional Patent Application No. 64/043,650. Filed 2026 Apr 19. Patent Pending. 8. Monczka RM, Handfield RB, Giunipero LC, Patterson JL. Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. 5th ed. Mason (OH): Cengage Learning; 2016. 9. Geyer R, Jambeck JR, Law KL. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Sci Adv. 2017;3(7):e1700782. 10. United States Environmental Protection Agency. National Recycling Strategy: Part One of a Series on Building a Circular Economy for All. Washington (DC): EPA; 2021. 11. Al-Salem SM, Lettieri P, Baeyens J. Recycling and recovery routes of plastic solid waste (PSW): A review. Waste Manag. 2009;29(8):2625–2643. 12. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics. Cowes (UK): Ellen MacArthur Foundation; 2016. Int J Polym Sci Eng | Jasso Palacio | Page 15 13. Hamad K, Kaseem M, Deri F. Recycling of waste from polymer materials: An overview of the recent works. Polym Degrad Stab. 2013;98(12):2801–2812.
How to cite this article
APA
Palacio, F. J. (2026). Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains. International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering, 12(02), 1-22.
MLA
Palacio, Fernando Jasso. “Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains.” International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering, vol. 12, no. 02, 2026, pp. 1-22.
Chicago
Fernando Jasso Palacio. “Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains.” International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering 12, no. 02 (2026): 1-22.
Vancouver
Palacio FJ. Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains. International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering. 2026;12(02):1-22.
BibTeX
@article{PalacioFJ2026,
author = {Fernando Jasso Palacio},
title = {Design and Commercial Validation of a Hierarchical Three-Tier Quality GradingSystem for Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer Recycled Thermoplastic Resins in US Industrial SupplyChains},
journal = {International Journal of Polymer Science and Engineering},
year = {2026},
volume = {12},
number = {02},
pages = {1--22},
issn = {2455-8745},
url = {https://journalspub.com/publication/ijpse/article=25650}
}
