Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Better recyclates through development with high-throughput processes
The optimization of the formulation development of recyclates from different material streams and/or variable material streams achieved in “Waste4Future” offers highly attractive new recycling options and shortens the development times for new formulations. Various options were combined for high-throughput formulation development and an analytical toolbox for the quality assessment of recyclates was set up.
For example, online rheology was developed as a rapid diagnostic tool for formulation development, such as the use of process stabilizers in polyolefins and coupler additives for molecular weight build-up in polyamides. In the case of polyolefins, the project team has identified so-called tipping points as a sorting criterion for cascaded processing. Using solvent-based recycling, it was possible to produce high-purity plastic recyclates. The project partners also successfully implemented the synthesis of new compatibilizers using carbon dioxide and also created mass balances of highly inhomogeneous waste streams (post-industrial and post-consumer plastic waste).
At the same time, the informative value of various analytical methods for assessing recyclate qualities, such as ageing processes, was examined. Such methods have mostly been developed for virgin material; in “Waste4Future” their transferability to recyclates was determined.