Smart polymer composite processing, recyclability and reuse

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Although composites are preferred for many engineering applications due to their durability and superior strength, it is necessary to dispose and recycle waste properly at the end of the life of composites. Europe will generate 683,000 tonnes of composite waste by 2025. Global recycling capacity is less than 100,000 tonnes. Until industry can find better ways to reuse or recycle these materials, more than half a million tonnes of composites produced will follow a linear path to landfill.

For this reason, GAIKER is working on new EoL (End of Life) strategies for polymer composites that enable the reuse, recovery and/or recyclability of these materials through reconversion technologies, or through the design of new recyclable composites based on reversible cross-linking technologies.

We add smart functionality by embedding ferromagnetic microwires or adding magnetoactive coatings to composites while controlling part processing via in-mould sensors on 4.0 presses.

Projects

Aerospace composites digitally sensorised from manufacturing to end-of-life. INFINITE

The aim of the European INFINITE project is to provide continuous information on the condition and status of aerostructures at any point in their life cycle using smart materials and wireless technologies.
Composites will be developed with integrated sensors as part of the initiative to monitor the characteristics of these materials from their manufacture to their final recycling, with the aim of extending their useful life and improving their quality

Fuselage, Rear Fuselage and Empennage with Cabin and Cargo Architecture Solution validation and Technologies for H2 integration. FASTER-H2

Este proyecto validará, seleccionará, madurará y demostrará tecnologías claves y proporcionará la integración arquitectónica de un fuselaje integrado ultraeficiente y habilitado para hidrógeno para aviones de corto y medio alcance (SMR) ultraeficientes.

Fire resistant environmental friendly composites. FENICE

The aim of this project is to develop lightweight materials based on aluminium and composite fibre metal laminates (FMLs), in order to meet demanding reaction to fire standards, by developing flame retardant prepregs.

Fenice

Recycling technologies for the circular reuse and remanufacturing of fibre-reinforced composite materials. RECREATE

The aim of this project is to develop a set of innovative technologies aimed at exploiting the potential of complex end-of-life (EoL) composite waste as a raw material for the cost-effective re-use of parts and materials in industry.

Multi-level circular process chain for carbon and glass fibre composites. MC4

GAIKER is involved in developing the solvolysis chemical recycling process and scaling it up, and in constructing parts made of carbon fibre from recycled material or from reusing uncured pre-impregnated offcuts by moulding them.

Investigate:

Aitziber Iturmendi

Project Manager

Smart polymer composite processing, recyclability and reuse

Projects

Investigate:

Aitziber Iturmendi

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