Smart additives to help recyclability of coated plastics

A European project involving 17 partners across the value chain is examining the use of smart additives to make coated and painted textiles and plastics recyclable.
 
Led by Belgian R&D centre Centexbel, and participated in by Spanish Plastics Technology Centre Aimplas,Project  Decoat is a four-year initiative is aimed at decreasing the volume of coated textiles and plastics going to landfill by 75%.
 
Decoat will investigate triggerable smart polymer material systems for the recovery of waste and appropriate recycling processes for coated and laminated products.
 
The solutions will be based on formulations with smart additives such as microcapsules or microwave that will be activated by specific triggers like heat, humidity, microwave or chemicals, said Aimplas in a statement 19 June.
                              
By making coated products recyclable, the project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of such products by at least 30% and generate “a novel market of over €150m” in the medium term.
 
Aimplas will be involved in the selection of the components of the pilot recycling line, as well as in its setup and evaluation.
 
Coated textiles and coated parts for outdoor gear, household electronics, buses and automotive applications, are amongst the products that will be examined for recycling.
 
Aimplas will also contribute to the quality analysis of the recycled materials and their potential use.
 
Based in Valencia, Aimplas works on material and product development as well as recyclability and sustainability processes.
 
The centre has pilot plants and testing laboratories that enable the characterisation of both waste and recycled materials, including chemical, optical, morphological, mechanical and physical properties.