Cross-border cooperation is vital for accelerating the transition towards a green and circular economy in Europe and for mitigating the environmental effects of economic activity, especially where industrial production is concerned. One such aspect of concern and potential action is the recycling of materials used in industrial production; composite materials constitute a primary example of such materials. Cross-border cooperation for the treatment of end-of-life / waste composite materials is a fine example of transition to a circular economy.

WHAT

Composite materials’ production in Europe amounts to approximately 2.2 million tonnes / year. They are widely used in various growth sectors of the Belgium-France cross-border region such as transportation, wind power and aeronautics. Their recycling constitutes an important cross-border problem due to the fragmentation of the recycling sector that is basically composed of SMEs. The effective use of resources and the recycling of composite materials constitutes a major challenge for the transition of Europe towards a green and circular economy. By harnessing the expertise of six partners, the RECY-COMPOSTITE project aims to foster cross-border cooperation and implement a cross-border strategy for the recycling of such materials.

The RECY-COMPOSITE project performed extensive applied research, mainly in the fields of chemical recycling through pyrolysis and solvolysis, to investigate and identify the conditions that render the recycling of composite production waste and end-of-life composite materials technically and economically feasible for industrial transfer. The partners focused their research on specialty chemistry to offer cross-border markets with value-added recycled products. The RECY-COMPOSITE partners carried out their research on samples of composites to be recycled from industrialists in the Interreg France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen area throughout the recycling process, from mechanical preparation to extrusion (formulation of the recycled viscous material).

WHO

The project was led by research and development partner CERTECH (Belgium) with the participation of 5 more partners representing academia (École nationale supérieure Mines-Télécom Lille Douai) (France), research, technology and development (Centre Terre et Pierre, Association pour la Recherche et le Développement des Méthodes et Processus Industriels – ARMINES) and the private sector (CREPIM, CENTEXBEL-VKC).

WHERE

The RECY-COMPOSITE project took place in the Belgium-France cross-border region and, in specific, the France - Wallonie - Vlaanderen area.

HOW

The overall project budget amounted to EUR 3.180.556,30, with EUR 1.590.278,13 being funded by the ERDF through the 2014 - 2020 INTERREG V-A Belgium-France (France - Wallonie - Vlaanderen) programme.

RESULTS

The project partners set up a processing method that combines size reduction, separation, waste purification, and production of recycled fractions with specific characteristics in terms of chemical synthesis, shape and size. Partners have also developed a strategy for recycling thermoplastics which entails their use as an agent for the production of intumescent systems (fireproof foam that swells when exposed to heat). They have also created a mechanically recyclable thermoplastic composite.

A significant aspect of the RECY-COMPOSITE project was related to awareness-raising and provision of support to local companies. The project has organised cross-border awareness raising and networking activities for over 50 companies and has provided support to local companies with its case studies on end-of-life boats, road signs, sanitary system components and car parts. The project and its findings have been presented through the organisation of cross-border events and through participation in conferences, fairs and exhibitions.