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Valorization of undervalued recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) by supercritical CO2-assisted extrusion foaming CO2-assisted extrusion

Project description

New method to reduce polyethylene terephthalate products

Over the past century, plastics have significantly enhanced living standards, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) emerging as the primary packaging material for beverage containers. However, their short life cycle has contributed to serious environmental challenges. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the R-PETFOAM project will combine mechanical recycling of coloured PET with extrusion foaming using supercritical carbon dioxide. This approach produces lightweight, foamed products while employing an environmentally friendly foaming agent. Ultimately, the project aims to enhance the recyclability of coloured PET, helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills or incinerators.

Objective

During the last century, the unique properties of plastics have enabled human civilization to continuously improve its living conditions. An example is the polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) that has become the primary packaging material of beverage containers. However, the short life cycle of these materials created a significant environmental problem, as they tend to end up in landfills or occasionally in the environment.
In this project, the mechanical reprocessing method of colored PET is going to be combined with extrusion foaming assisted by supercritical carbon-dioxide (sc-CO2) that presents high advantages as a high dissolution in polymers (enables foamed products with very low density) and a green process since CO2 is an environmentally friendly physical foaming agent.
The project is fully in line with the interests of the Researcher, Dr. Daniel Vadas. He has been studying the CO2-aided extrusion foaming technology for 7 years, firstly he successfully produced and characterised flame-retarded poly (lactic acid) (PLA) foams in 2015 and managed to secure 1st place on the Conference of Student Research Societies at both University and National level.
The project proposed herein will enable him to acquire and reinforce unique research-related experiences and transferable skills in mechanical recycling of lower value post-consumer PET waste as well as in Management and entrepreneurship. The intersectoral industrial relationships of the host organization whom the candidate will closely and intensively collaborate with, would significantly improve his leadership competences.
The project results will improve the recyclability of almost non-recyclable colored PET, thereby reducing the volume of plastic materials sent to landfill or incineration.

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Topic(s)

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

FUNDACION CIDAUT
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 135 864,72
Address
PLAZA VICENTE ALEIXANDRE CAMPOS 2 PQ TECNOLOGICO DE BOECILLO 209
47151 VALLADOLID
Spain

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Centro (ES) Castilla y León Valladolid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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