Circular Flooring – Pioneering Recycling Process for PVC Waste
|
| |
{title} {profile_1} ,
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is widely used in the construction industry, for example in flooring applications. However, to date, only a minor share of PVC floor coverings can be recycled after their usage. Thus, valuable resources are lost. How can this be improved? The Circular Flooring partners aim to establish an efficient recycling process for plasticized PVC from post-consumer flooring waste, taking a decisive step towards circular PVC recycling in the European Union.
|
| |
Circular Flooring published in EU Research
|
| |
The Circular Flooring project was featured in the spring issue of the EU Research magazine. Project coordinator Dr Martin Schlummer and Fraunhofer IVV Associate Scientist Thomas Diefenhardt gave an insight into the research work, challenges and achievements in the project.
EU Research is an open-access journal published quarterly. It covers a wide range of scientific disciplines and topics, from reporting ground-breaking discoveries to promoting basic and applied research.
Here you can read the full article.
|
| |
Validation of the Ru-catalysts for continuous hydrogenation under relevant conditions
|
| |
In order to translate the developed lab-scale revalorisation strategy for phthalate plasticizers to the upscaled and continuous process equivalent, the hydrogenation catalyst was evaluated on its stability and recyclability. To that end, the Ru-catalyst was employed in five consecutive batch experiments under relevant hydrogenation conditions.
The catalytic system demonstrated competent to transform all phthalate molecules into the desired cyclohexane dicarboxylate esters within similar reaction times across the recycling experiments, which proves the stability and recyclability of the catalyst. In other words, following this validation, the catalyst stands ready for application in the continuous and upscaled plasticizer process.
|
| |
Update of the overview on the market acceptance of flooring including secondary raw materials
|
| |
The market acceptance analysis has been extensively updated as it is undoubtedly an important factor in the successful implementation of our Circular Flooring project. As Circular Flooring aims to establish a circular recycling process for plasticized PVC from post-consumer flooring waste, issues related to the general attitude towards the recyclability of flooring products and the acceptance of recyclates in these products are of decisive importance. Read more.
|
| |
Circular Flooring Expert Days 2023
|
| |
The second Circular Flooring Days took place on 12-13 October in Freising, Germany. Circular Flooring project partners and industry stakeholders came together to discuss the latest market developments for PVC (recyclate) flooring and its recycling technologies. The event focused on providing information on the project scope, technologies and approaches, while discussing with invited experts the project results achieved so far, as well as the feasibility and market opportunities of the circular PVC flooring industry. Read more.
|
| |
8th General Assembly in Freising (Germany)
|
| |
Our bi-annual General Assembly took place on 11-12 October at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Freising, Germany. The project partners discussed the latest developments in the project and coordinated upcoming challenges in three working groups on life-cycle assessment, recycled PVC and the plasticiser hydrogenation process. By the end of the project in August 2024, it is expected that approximately 0,5 t recycled PVC is produced and provided to flooring producers for the production of flooring prototypes.
The next General Assembly will take place in March 2024 and will be hosted by Vinnolit in Burghausen (Germany).
|
| |
Circular Flooring at events
|
| |
In order to keep up to date on recent developments regarding a global circular economy approach and to present our project to specific target groups, the consortium attended and presented the Circular Flooring project at a number of events, including BAU in Munich and the Innovation Forum 4Plastics in Brussels.
From 17 to 22 April, our project partner Sphera Solutions had the opportunity to present the Circular Flooring project at BAU 2023 in Munich. Many interested visitors were able to learn more about the advantages of a circular recycling process for post-consumer PVC flooring. Sphera also met with our External Advisory Board member DGNB German Sustainable Building Council and had a fruitful exchange about our project. Read more.
On 15 March 2023, the project was presented by coordinator Dr Martin Schlummer at the Innovation Forum 4Plastics in Brussels, as part of the session "The Building and Construction Sector". The Innovation Forum 4Plastics is an ongoing clustering initiative that brings projects together with policy makers, end users, industry representatives, investors, start-ups and SMEs.
|
| |
The Circular Flooring team wishes a joyful holiday season!🎄 |
| |
Circular Flooring on social media |
| |
|
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 821366 |
| |
© 2022 Circular Flooring - All Rights Reserved.
| |
|
