Objective The ability to fully recycle rubber so that recovered material is reused for the same products and applications would solve a major pollution problem in Europe. Mechanochemistry and Free Radical Chemistry theory indicates that this is achievable by selectively cleaving and then closing off tj-he crosslinks found in vulcanised rubber waste and returning the material to a solubalised state. This may be achieved through a mixing process resulting in a material that is both soluble and elastic. Experimental work has indicated this effect for 2g and 2kg samples.This cooperative research project is proposed to:1. Extend the existing work to include the optimised solubilising of car (SBR) and truck(NR) tyre rubbers for recycling;2. Extend the programme to include other viscoelastic polymers such as EPDMs, nitriles and neoprenes;3. Identify the machine scale in terms of economic and process requirements;4. Design, develop, build and test a large-scale plant to fully evaluate the technology. The project aim is to evaluate this technology as a means of cost-effectively eliminating the waste rubber problem within Europe. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollutionengineering and technologychemical engineeringchemical process engineering Programme(s) FP5-GROWTH - Programme for research technological development and demonstration on "Competitive and sustainable growth 1998-2002" Topic(s) 1.1.3.-1. - Key Action Innovative Products, Processes and Organisation Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme EAW - Exploratory awards Coordinator WATSON BROWN (HSM) LTD. EU contribution No data Address High Street 59-61 SK13 8AZ Glossop - Derbyshire United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all VANE BEHEER B.V. Netherlands EU contribution No data Address Villapark 19 7491 BT DELDEN See on map Total cost No data