EURECOMP’s key objective is to separate, through a water-based process, the different elements of the composites – chemicals from the matrix, fillers and fibres – and then to make them available in a suitable form for reuse in new applications.
The researchers believe that solvolysis technology should be able to solve the problems of recycling thermoset composites, with their cross-linked state, as well as circumvent the drawbacks of other recycling techniques (mainly combustion methodologies) that do not allow for reuse of organic components.
EURECOMP is supported by the European Commission, Seventh Framework programme, and gathers together partners from various fields of activity (industrial companies, universities, material producers and end-users). The project will explore both the fundamental processes and practical facility development, and collate information on upstream and downstream markets, economic efficiency and life cycle assessment.
The project was launched in May 2009 and will last 36 months.
The project partners are:
- Plastic Omnium Auto Exterieur
- University of Exeter
- Volvo Technology Corporation
- University of Bristol
- Xietong Automobile Accessories
- COMPOSITEC
- SACMO
- ECRC (European Composites Recycling Services Company)
- BPF (British Plastics Federation)
- URIARTE Safybox
- ICAM Nantes
- GAIKER
- University of Limerick
For further information, please contact project coordinator Marie-Laure Spaak at Plastic Omnium Auto Exterieur.