VIBES
VIBES
Improving Recyclability Of Thermoset Composite Materials Through A Greener Recycling Technology Based On Reversible Biobased Bonding Materials
Website: https://vibesproject.eu/
ABSTRACT
VIBES project presents an innovative solution to resolve the end-of-life issues of thermoset composites based on the development of a new green technology focused on the controlled separation and recovery of composite material components by means of developing customised biobased bonding materials (BBM). BBM are biobased chemical moieties that will decompose under specific external stimuli (temperature, UV or electrical pulse) allowing the separation between the matrix and the reinforcing material, and facilitating the dissociation of the polymer chains of the resins to favour their efficient processing and recycling through a green washing bath, recovering the monomers/ oligomers and fibres for their upcycling into new products.
VIBES will study and combine three different chemical approaches to obtain BBM: vitrimers, Diels-Alder, and supramolecular architectures. VIBES project will directly contribute to achieve SIRA’s objectives in KPI1, KPI2, KPI5 and KPI8 and to demonstrate the solution decreasing the amount of non-biodegradable polymers sent to disposal or discharged to the environment by at least 40%. VIBES consortium involves 13 partners (industrially driven): 4 RTD (AITIIP, LEITAT, ULIM and DITF), 7 SME (SP, BCIRC, F&D, ARCHA, Q-PLAN, IDEC and JUNO), 1 Large Companies (ACC), and 1 OTHER (PLATA) accounting to 3 BIC associated (AITIIP, LEITAT, and ULIM).
The proposed 48-months will comprise a total estimated budget of 5,299,800 €; being the 20.3% covered by consortium own contribution (in-kinds) and adding 524,311€ in additional investments during the project implementation and 9,385,000€ envisaged to upgrade TRL after the end of the project. Benefits will be significant in terms of companies growth (23.2%), increasing jobs (37 direct, 1800 indirect) and turnover (124M€) by promoting at least 2 new sector interconnections in the new created “Intrinsic Recyclable Thermoset Composites Value Chain”.
Project Budget: 5,230,049.63€
Leitat Budget: 573,707.50€
Financial Framework: HORIZON 2020
Contract number: 101023190
Start Date: 01/06/2021
End Date: 30/05/2025
Leitat
Main role & contribution in the project:
Development of surface cleaning and modification of carbon, glass and flax fibers. Analyse fibers recovered from biobased polymeric composites and will adapt their surfaces for their reuse and/or recycling and collaborate in fiber surface pretreatment processes adapted to pilot recycling plants.
Partners:
This project has received funding from the Biobased Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 101023190. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio-based Industries Consortium.