Swedish company Nexam Chemicals, which makes cross-linking agents for thermoplastics, has completed a two-year project that looked at upgrading recycled PET.
The aim of the project, which also involved Swedish sustainability organisation Vinnova, was to upgrade rPET through heat-activated crosslinking for use in light weight applications.
“The collaboration was successful and the project objectives were met,” said Nexam.
A foam based on rPET with improved mechanical properties was developed during the project.
Nexam said: “These [project] results create new opportunities for material and cost savings for existing applications where similar performance can be achieved with less material. Furthermore, the competiveness of rPET foam for other applications, where today more expensive materials are used, is increased.”
The crosslinking technology has also successfully been evaluated for other applications. Nexam said it foresees new business opportunities emerging from the technology, which is currently being commercialised.
The company said it has received half of the project cost as contribution from Vinnova. Total contribution received during the project was approximately SEK 2.9m.