IKV coordinates joint project for LDPE mechanical recycling
The Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) in Industry and Craft at RWTH Aachen University has initiated an industrial research project “LOOPCYCLING - Advanced mechanical recycling of flexible polyethylenes”, aiming to push boundaries of mechanical recycling and to achieve the best possible recyclate qualities by combining industrial recycling technologies.
The LOOPCYCLING project aims to achieve the best possible recyclate qualities by consistently combining the best industrial processes in order to enable use in contact-sensitive films. (Source: IKV)
Based on existing industrial process technologies, the processes will initially be optimized using common polyolefin sorting fractions (DSD310) from the household collection of packaging waste.
A transfer to well-designed mono-materials, including upscaling, is conducted in parallel. The results will be used to derive future design-for-recycling standards.
LOOPCYCLING project considers the entire process chain of mechanical recycling: sorting, shredding, washing, de-inking, compounding with stabilizers, decontamination and odor removal as well as the characterization of recyclates, reprocessing and reuse.
IKV is coordinating the project, carrying out compounding trials and reprocessing tests in its pilot plants and laboratories and contributing its expertise in recyclate characterization.
The consortium currently includes technology suppliers such as manufacturers of sorting systems, providers of de-inking technologies, manufacturers of recycling systems, materials and additives and providers of decontamination technologies.
