30 June, 2016

Objectives

RECYSITE aims to demonstrate recyclability and reuse of a new generation of high performance fibre-reinforced thermoset composites from renewable resources (bio-waste).

This will be possible by combining the background knowledge of all the partners in recyclable thermosets with renewable resins and fibres for the eco-design of a novel family of composites materials.

European strategic sectors (transportation and construction) require more sustainable materials and need to fulfil European regulation in terms of recyclability and end of life. In addition, the scraps generated during manufacturing will be recycled (30 % scraps). Actual materials used in both sectors are the largest consumers of composite materials (69%) and produce residues that in the best case are incinerated to recover the reinforcement material generating an environmental problem.

Thus, the European governments, the industrial sectors and finally the end users demand a more sustainable, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.

Truck trailer doorVentilated facade

The RECYSITE consortium proposes a solution to this problem by the validation of new fully recyclable biocomposites obtained from natural resources. In order to solve the described problem three objectives are defined:

  • Demonstration of new 100% recyclable and reprocessable composites formulations for maximising the recyclability and re-use of composite parts. RECYSITE composites will maximise recycling and reuse as well as to limit incineration and landfilling to non-recyclable materials.
  • Valorisation of bio-waste residues from renewable resources not competing with food: natural fibres from bio-waste (linseed [flax] fibres) and resins from natural resources (linseed oil and humins). The use of sustainable materials (not competing with food markets) fully recyclable will dramatically reduce the carbon footprint as it will be detailed later on the proposal.
  • Validation of the proposed solution in different strategic sectors: The project aims to validate the proposed solutions in two different sectors in order not only to validate it but also to demonstrate the transferability of the results. Transportation (refrigerated swap body) and construction (modular façade wall) have been selected as they are two of the European sectors with more impact on the economy as they involve more than 15% of the jobs and GDP in Europe.