Advanced COMPOsite RECycling for added value applications

The CompoRec Co-research project will work to achieve a significant breakthrough in the recycling of industrially relevant composites. These materials are crucial for addressing key societal needs in energy, transport, infrastructure, and construction, but their end-of-life options are currently limited to landfilling and downcycling. The project will advance the state-of-the-art by improving the efficiency of primary conversion in pyrolysis and /solvolysis recycling, and by developing efficient upcycling paths that allow maximum value retention of functional fillers.

The universal challenge of recycling composite structures lies in their composition, which contains at least two integrated components. The CompoRec project will separate the individual components of composite structures (resin and reinforcing fibres, or abrasive particles and backing material) to enable their further use as valuable raw materials. The reinforcing and abrasive components extracted from the composites can be used in similar applications as the original. Resin intermediates will be converted to new resins, adhesives, and coatings
Proof-of-concept studies will be performed for both pyrolysis and solvolysis recycling routes in laboratory scale and optimized further to develop the process concept. Effective pre-treatment and chemical recycling methods will be augmented by in-depth characterization of recovered fillers and depolymerized resins. The project will evaluate process techno-economics, further development, and business opportunities to maximize the project's business. The research project will be carried out by VTT, Tampere University, and Centria AMK.
The project has established a strong industrial representation throughout the value chain, through the following companies: Blaxar Oy, Baltic Yachts Oy, Nordpipe Composites Oy, Ekeri Oy, Mirka Oy, NG Nordic Finland Oy and Stena Recycling Oy. Finnish Plastics Industries Federation is also a partner in the project. The CompoRec project is linked to the Mirka SHAPE Veturi ecosystem.