Descrizione del progetto
Un metodo RAEE per riciclare la plastica
Ogni anno, milioni di tonnellate di plastiche miste generate in Europa dal trattamento dei rifiuti di apparecchiature elettriche ed elettroniche (RAEE) vengono esportate in Asia per essere trasformate in materie plastiche secondarie, utilizzando sostanze a rischio o discariche. Ciò avviene perché gli additivi pericolosi presenti nella plastica dei RAEE impediscono di riciclare in Europa questi materiali. Di conseguenza, risultano indispensabili nuove soluzioni efficaci per il riciclaggio della plastica dei RAEE. Il progetto PLAST2bCLEANED, finanziato dall’UE, intende elaborare un metodo che consenta di recuperare queste materie plastiche in maniera agevole ed economicamente fattibile, riducendo al contempo l’impatto ambientale. Il metodo concentra l’attenzione sul riciclaggio dei polimeri più comuni, dei ritardanti di fiamma bromurati e del triossido di antimonio, servendosi di tecnologie innovative in grado di separare gli additivi pericolosi dalla plastica.
Obiettivo
1.2 Million tons of mixed plastics arise from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) treatment in Europe and this quantity is still growing. WEEE plastics often contain undesired additives that hamper recycling in Europe. 75% of WEEE is currently exported to Asia where it is recycled to secondary plastics containing undesired (hazardous) substances or ending up in landfill where leaching occurs. Hence for WEEE plastics a closed loop solution is needed.
PLAST2bCLEANED’s aim is to develop a recycling process for WEEE plastics in a technically feasible, environmentally sound and economically viable manner. To fulfil this aim, PLAST2bCLEANED addresses the recycling of the most common WEEE plastics acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) that contain up to 20wt% brominated flame retardants (BFR) and up to 5wt% of the synergist antimony trioxide (ATO). PLAST2bCLEANED will close three loops: (1) polymer, (2) bromine, and (3) ATO.
Key technologies developed within the project are: (1) improved sorting of HIPS and ABS that contain BFR from other polystyrene and ABS fractions; (2) dissolution of WEEE plastics in superheated solvents; (3) separation of additives to concentrate BFR and ATO fractions for recycling; (4) energy efficient recovery of solvent and of polymer. The developed technology will be integrated in a pilot facility with capacity of 2 kg/hr (TRL 5/6) delivering polymer samples. The developed technology can be applied to similar waste streams from other sectors, e.g. automotive.
The combination of improved sorting and use of superheated solvents offers an economic and environmental advantage. First calculations indicate a sound business case. The consortium is well equipped to develop this technology and consist of partners to cover the whole value chain.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
- H2020-EU.3.5. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.5.4. - Enabling the transition towards a green economy and society through eco-innovation
- H2020-EU.3.5.3.2. - Promote the sustainable supply and use of raw materials, including mineral resources, from land and sea, covering exploration, extraction, processing, re-use, recycling and recovery
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
2595 DA Den Haag
Paesi Bassi