Andaltec has launched the R&D Project “Re-composite”, focused on the enhancement of recycling and revalorisation of advanced plastic materials based on epoxy resins and high-performance fibers proceeding from the transport sector (aeronautics and car areas). This initiative aims at developing a new process to obtain higher recycling rates, as well as the revalorisation of advanced polymeric materials based on epoxy resins, and those reinforced with carbon or glass fiber. These products are massively employed by industrial sectors as car or aeronautics companies where these materials are being increasingly used for the manufacture of different part types.
This initiative is funded by the R&D scheme directed to private entities of the department for Economy, Business and University of the Andalusian government. The execution deadline is 24 months, which means that research work will be carried out until late 2021. Antonio Calahorro, head of this project for Andaltec, states that the materials involved here feature great advantages compared to other alternatives, as they offer excellent mechanical properties, high thermal and chemical resistance and they are very light too. However, they also present a series of limitations in order to be recycled efficiently. Thus, it is crucial to improve this process in order to carry out a better waste management.
Achieving a better efficiency during this recycling process spawns several advantages. On the one hand, it allows for a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly production process, based on the circular economy values. On the other hand, “Re-composite” project will make possible a revalorisation and reuse of high-value products, which will bring about huge savings for the car and aeronautics part industries.
“This project will help to give a higher value to these reinforced polymeric materials, which enjoy some technical properties similar or even better to those of metallic materials. Thanks to the improvement in recycling and reuse derived from this project, we can meet the ever-increasing demand for sustainable compounds on the part of citizens and companies”, as Calahorro asserts. The Andaltec researcher also claims that this type of initiatives helps to highlight that plastics are the material of the future thanks to their versatility, low cost, excellent technical properties and their vast possibilities for recycling and reuse.
