Regarding the development of functional adhesives, CSIC-ICTP has finished the chemical modification of adhesives with thermoreversible Diels-Alder (DA) moieties. The results indicate that the initial covalent bond can efficiently be recovered. Also, several experimental conditions were researched to incorporate carbon-based nanoparticles into the new SOLVENT-FREE adhesive. The barrier properties to water of the solvent-based adhesives containing thermoreversible bonds and graphene nanoparticles were measured by NORNER.
9 different lamination structures (8 including nanoclays) were produced by AITIIP for characterization, lamination, delamination, fend-user validations and for LCA studies. NORNER has characterised the OTR, WVTR, CO2TR, optical and mechanical properties of all the different films, as well as the laminates with commercial adhesive and with DA adduct. The lamination has been carried out by hand by Gaviplas.
It could be proved that the DAF adhesive generally has better delamination results that conventional adhesive. The new polymer blends with increased biobased and recycled content of film layers have been produced at semi-industrial scale (BioMi). The compound and the films were characterised by BioMi and Aitiip. the best lamination conditions were achieved, and the lamination of the films were carried out by Gaviplas using an external machine (pilot scale).
The laminated structures were characterised by NORNER and validated by the end users. Also, enough material was sent to CADEL to test the delamination protocols at semi-pilot scale. Structure 8 (BioLDPE//rBioLDPE) achieved 82% delamination and that material was used to analyse recycling possibilities.
LCA, s-LCA, LCC studies have been performed for the overall sustainability assessment providing comparable impacts between MANDALA products and their considered benchmarks, as well as toxicity, safety, and biodegradability.
The simulation of a recycling process performed for 100% recycled BioLDPE and 100% recycled LDPE indicates none or minor influence of the recycling on optical properties, tear resistance, barrier performance and impact properties.
A final preliminary business plan for the KERs has been developed (D4.2) and a patents was filed. Communication and Dissemination activities have been carried out since the beginning of the project (WP5). The social media campaign has reached 15033 people.
