Description
The current process of recycling thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) faces significant technical limitations that prevent the exploitation of TPE's full potential when using new applications. Therefore, this project has the following objectives: a technical target of developing a strategy for recycling TPE that allows for the replacement of prime virgin TPE with recycled TPE (with optimized technical properties); the strategic target is to lead the introduction into a new market segment with noticable development potential; and the environmental target is the reduction of prime virgin TPE consumption, with a subsequent decrease in the petroleum dependence and important CO2 savings. The aim of this project is the development of a new technological strategy for the reprocessing of TPE compounds in order to obtain recycled TPEs with higher properties. This will require the study and development of new compounds formulations as well as the design and development of an advanced industrial recycling process for TPE materials.
Summary of project results
The objective of this project was to develop a new technological strategy for the reprocessing of thermoplastic elastomers compounds in order to obtain recycled thermoplastic elastomers compounds with higher properties. The thermoplastic elastomers are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) which consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. In order to achieve the objectives it was necessary to study and develop new compounds formulations as well as design and develop an advanced industrial recycling process for thermoplastic elastomers materials. After the execution of all project activities, the objectives set at the beginning have been achieved. Specifically, two important technical results have been achieved. On the one hand, a new process of industrial recycled of thermoplastic elastomers products has been developed and implemented, which improves the recycling process. On the other hand, it has been possible to obtain a new generation of thermoplastic elastomers products with unprecedented performance. These products are also the most relevant results of the project.
Summary of bilateral results