AIMPLAS studies recycled plastics from automotive waste
AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Center, has launched the SURFTOP Project to facilitate the use of recycled and renewable materials in the automotive sector.
AIMPLAS has launched the SURFTOP Project to facilitate the use of recycled and renewable materials in the automotive sector.
Funding from the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) and the ERDF, the project focuses on studying the effects of using recycled material to manufacture parts for the interior and exterior of vehicles.
It also aims to establish and develop technologies that is comply with vehicle interior air quality (VIAQ) requirements while maintaining the surface properties established by manufacturers.
SURFTOP is part of a circular economy strategy as it focuses on obtaining recycled raw materials from automotive industry waste for manufacturing new parts that will be analyzed in terms of volatile and semi-volatile compounds, as well as surface properties.
The surface properties of plastics refer to the material’s surface characteristics, which can affect its appearance (gloss, color, roughness), bonding capacity and resistance to wear, impact, scratching and chemical agents.
Furthermore, inside the vehicle, it is necessary to guarantee low emissions of volatile organic compounds and odors from recycled plastic materials to comply with the requirements of manufacturers.
This project also involves Prisma Soporte Industrial, a company that handles injection molding and painting of automotive parts, and which will help validate the process and functionality of the recycled materials so they comply with the quality and emission requirements of the final parts and will also help transfer the results.
The recycling company GBP Metal Group will provide post-consumer recycled materials from specific car parts.
