Twelve End of Life (EoL) options were initially evaluated for composites and biocomposites. The four promising EoL methods for bio-composites were then selected: dissolution, solvolysis, mechanical recycling and pyrolysis. A design of experiments for each EoL method selected was carried out for experimental analysis at laboratory level. Then, the screening life cycle assessment (LCA) and simplified techno-economic assessment (TEA) were performed on the biocomposite that showcased the most potential. The results from laboratory tests, were optimized at pilot plant level (Technology Readiness Level 5, TRL 5). The output products were characterized. From the streamlined LCA and TEA analysis, pyrolysis and solvolysis results showed the most potential to recover the fibres from biocomposites. Pyrolysis at laboratory scale performed better than at pilot plant scale. Solvolysis process performed better depending on the size of grinded material. The LCA results concluded that solvolysis is the most environmentally promising recycling technology. The TEA concluded that both solvolysis and pyrolysis are economically viable.
The results of Eliot have been disseminated through the website, newsletter (four editions), two versions of the leaflet and the poster. It has also achieved all the key performance indicators of social media. It has been published through press releases appearing 31 times in media. Researchers have participated in sixteen conferences. For clustering, Eliot project joined the Horizon Results Booster (HRB). Finally, two workshops of the Eliot project have been held. As a result of all the research performed, a paper has been written. It has been sent to a special issue of the journal Polymers. Currently, the work is under evaluation.
In exploitation, aspects like revenues, other sources of coverage to increase TRL and bring the new recycling processes of biocomposites to the market, as well as the impacts of these technologies for the society cannot be given in the current state of the project. Accordingly, updated LCA and TEA analysis data will be generated in future improvements of solvolysis and pyrolysis technologies applied over biocomposites. Once TRL increases, two different exploitation strategies may be considered for the results of the Project. One more conservative, that includes licenses of solvolysis or pyrolysis methodology applied over biocomposites to competitors, recyclers or raw materials manufacturers. And a more challenging approach, consisting in the creation of a start-up, with solvolysis and/or pyrolysis equipment depending on the benefits expected. Considering that this challenging strategy may be very risky from an economical perspective, an intermediate option has also been considered for the exploitation of the results: the implementation of small solvolysis and/or pyrolysis plants at the sites of origin of waste.
