How Adhesive Bonding Supports the Circular Economy and Life Cycle Assessments.
The sustainable use of resources is not only determined by legislation, it is also demanded within society. In industry, therefore, material developments and joining technologies are in demand to conserve resources and avoid a linear economy. Against this background, experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM have bundled their expertise and published the results in a recent report.
Adhesive bonding as a joining technology that requires little heat and does not damage the material is already playing a key role in conserving resources in numerous industrial applications. Its ability to join different materials makes cars lighter and more fuel-efficient, the half-shells of rotor blades for wind turbines can only be effectively joined using adhesives, and adhesive bonding is also the key to producing components in electric motors and batteries for electric vehicles. This list could be further extended by examples from aerospace and rail vehicle construction. However, progress in adhesive bonding technology, resulting in a more complex mix of materials, is also leading to challenges in recycling and disposal. For example, the separation of material-fit metal-plastic bonds is reaching its economic limits, thus making an efficient material cycle more difficult.
EU calls for circular economy
One of the authorities supporting this strategy is the EU, which, with its "Green Deal" initiative and the "Action Plan for the Circular Economy" that it includes, is increasingly calling for concepts for recycling end-of-life products.
Concrete objectives are formulated for the use of resources, the production of waste and emissions, and an efficient use of energy. Instruments for implementation include durable construction, maintenance, refurbishment, repair capability, reuse, reprocessing, and recycling. The role that adhesive bonding technology can play in the circular economy has now been documented by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM in a detailed study entitled "Circular Economy and Adhesive Bonding Technology".
The study entitled "Circular Economy and Adhesive Bonding Technology" by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM describes the technological potential of adhesive bonding technology for the sustainable use of resources.
© Fraunhofer IFAM
All adhesive bonds can be separated
One of the topics addressed in detail by the authors of the 300-page study is the separation and recyclability of adhesive bonds. They point out that fundamentally all adhesive bonds can be separated. In most cases, heat and mechanical forces are sufficient, as every adhesive will lose strength above a certain temperature. Some adhesives can also be detached by water, solvents, light, electric voltages, or high-frequency fields. The study also describes the idea of adding substances that release large quantities of gas when heated, with the result that the adhesively bonded joint is virtually broken open. However, the report stresses that, in all of these processes, it is essential that the trigger conditions for loosening the adhesive bond do not already occur while the product is being used.
Disassembly lines for similar products
The authors state, however, that targeted debonding for repair, dismantling, and recycling is hardly being carried out on an industrial scale so far. They quote economical and in some cases also ecological reasons for this, such as the necessary use of toxic substances. Instead of the shredding process usually performed on mixtures of end-of-life products during disposal, the report proposes special disassembly lines for similar products available in large quantities, which can be automatically disassembled and sorted according to type. The authors estimate that the costs of this would, however, be similar to those for assembly during the production of the product.
Disassembly should also be considered during the product development process in so-called eco-design in the sense of "controlled longevity". For example, components can be designed in such a way that adhesive bonds are accessible to the application of peeling forces during disposal. In order to facilitate recycling, product developers should document - at least in the case of higher quality products - which adhesive is used and how it should be handled during the disposal process. This information should then be made available to waste disposal companies by means of a digital twin or an RFID chip.
Producing adhesive raw materials from recycled materials
According to the authors, adhesive residues on disassembled materials are not considered to be critical. Residues on metals or glass decompose thermally during the recycling process, and the quantity of adhesive on plastic materials is insignificant.
The authors see a further need for research into the use of renewable raw materials for adhesives. They point out that synthetic adhesives are still technically superior to their natural alternatives in most cases and therefore enable the joining and use of resource-conserving materials. Instead of renewable raw materials, fractions from the recycling of bulk polymers such as PET, PA, or PUR that cannot be directly reconverted to the original bulk polymers can be used. Carbon dioxide can also be used for the production of adhesive raw materials, as is already being investigated with the addition of CO2 to epoxides.
For download:
www.ifam.fraunhofer.de/en/Press_Releases/adhesive_bonding_circular_economy.html
Herma Sets itself a Strict Environmental Goal for 2021.
Self-adhesive specialist Herma is continuing to take climate protection seriously: from 2021, the company, which is headquartered in Filderstadt, Germany, intends to make the emissions generated in its direct sphere of influence climate-neutral. This applies to emissions that fall under Scope 1 and 2 of the internationally recognized "Greenhouse Gas Protocol".
The company is implementing a bundle of measures to achieve climate neutrality. For example, Herma has been buying exclusively green electricity for several years now. This alone saves the company around 10,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. A further 10,000 tonnes of CO2 are currently generated annually by the use of fossil fuels, for example for heat generation. For this reason, Herma will in the future purchase "green" gas, which has already been made CO2-neutral by the energy supplier. In addition, however, emissions are also generated by the extraction and supply logistics of the gas, for the transport infrastructure of the green electricity, and for the use of oil. "In order to achieve actual climate neutrality in accordance with Scopes 1 and 2, we will fully compensate for unavoidable emissions in the foreseeable future through compensation measures," explained the two managing directors Sven Schneller and Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner.
Measures based on greenhouse gas balance sheet
Herma points out that the measures are based on a greenhouse gas balance sheet that was previously prepared in collaboration with the Swiss foundation myclimate. It is based on the "Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard" and includes the climate-relevant greenhouse gases that fall under the operational control of the company (Scope 1 and 2). According to the company, the climate-neutrality measures that have been implemented or initiated relate initially to the plants in Germany, all of which are located in Filderstadt. "However, since we manufacture almost exclusively in Germany and almost all climate-relevant emissions are produced here, we have not yet involved the international subsidiaries in the quite complex process of preparing the greenhouse gas balance sheet," the two managing directors pointed out.
In the new coating plant, which went into operation in spring 2020, the company succeeded in further significantly reducing energy consumption compared to the plant in 2008 (background, right).
© Herma
In the past, too, Herma has repeatedly implemented innovative concepts to reduce CO2 emissions. For example, the company succeeded in reducing the specific energy consumption per square meter of adhesive material - by far the most energy-intensive business unit - by around 20 percent in recent years. In the new coating plant, which went into operation in spring 2020, a new type of combined heat, power, and cooling system has made it possible to significantly reduce energy consumption compared to the plant in 2008, the company says. The amount of electricity saved corresponds roughly to the annual consumption of 200 single-family homes.
"In this way, we try to achieve the highest possible degree of additional sustainability in every new operational investment and innovation project and, beyond this, to achieve further substantial results in additional intermediate steps", said Sven Schneller and Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner, explaining Herma's overall strategy for environmental protection.
For more information, please visit: www.herma.de
Growing Market for Thermoplastic Elastomers.
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) combine the advantages of rubber and plastic. The market research company Ceresana has now analyzed the global market for these innovative materials for the third time. It finds that global revenues generated with TPE are expected to increase to almost USD 21 billion by 2027.
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are elastic, pliable, and flexible like vulcanized elastomers at room temperature. However, when they are heated, they can be melted, shaped repeatedly, and recycled like conventional standard plastics. They can be easily colored and allow combinations of hard and soft components.
TPE applications are conquering everyday life
TPE are used in many areas because they offer versatile properties and are easy to process. The most important application areas are transportation, the construction industry, other industrial products, shoes and sporting goods, and other consumer goods. Around 36 % of all TPE products worldwide are processed in the automotive industry. Possible applications in this area range from fabric coatings, sealants, and covers to inlay mats and bumpers. However, TPE are also increasingly in demand in construction and other industries, such as in mechanical engineering, medical technology, and electrical engineering and electronics. In the meantime, TPE can be found in numerous everyday products, for example in cable sheathings, roof membranes, and soft-touch handles for tools or toothbrushes, as well as in many toys and household appliances.
Increased demand in the major economic nations
The demand for TPE is strongly concentrated in the large economic nations. Processors in China, the USA, Japan, and Germany currently account for more than 60 % of global consumption. The production of TPE is dominated by manufacturers in Asia, where more than 57 % of the global production takes place. North America comes in second place, followed by Western Europe.
The market shares of the various types of TPE vary considerably in some cases, mainly due to the different sizes of the respective customer industries. By far the most commonly used class of TPE is the group of styrene block copolymers (SBC), which accounts for around 47 % of global consumption. Their use ranges from admixtures in adhesives to asphalt modifications in road construction. Thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) constitute the second largest TPE market. Their main area of application is the transportation industry. Another important type of TPE is thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), which are used, for example, for dashboards and housing shells.
The third edition of the Ceresana Market Report on Thermoplastic Elastomers is now available.
© Ceresana
Study in brief
Chapter 1 offers a differentiated presentation and analysis of the global TPE market, including forecasts until 2027. The development of revenues, demand, and production is presented for each region of the world. The market for TPE is divided into the different types of TPE: styrene block copolymers (SBC), thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), and other thermoplastic elastomers. The different areas of application of thermoplastic elastomers are also examined in detail. Data and factors influencing the use of TPE in the segments of transportation, construction, other industries, shoes and sporting goods, as well as other consumer goods are analyzed separately.
Chapter 2 provides an in-depth analysis of the 16 most important countries for the TPE market: demand, exports, imports, production, and revenues. The countries are also reviewed in terms of the different application areas. The data on demand volumes per country are furthermore divided by each product type.
Chapter 3 provides a list of manufacturers, including the 59 most important producers of TPE, organized by contact information, revenues, profits, product range, production sites, and profile summary.
For further information, please visit: www.ceresana.com
Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Packaging .
The packaging industry represents one of the most crucial interfaces when it comes to implementing the principle of the circular economy in trade and industry. With their strategic partnership, packaging machine manufacturer Syntegon and paper manufacturer Koehler are now combining sustainable packaging with process reliability and economy.
Sustainable packaging, in which plastic is replaced with paper wherever possible, is not just a question of material availability. While flexible packaging paper may well be threatening to displace plastic packaging, both materials still have to share the same machines for the time being. Therefore, for machine operators, questions concerning changeover times, machine conversions, and above all process reliability in processing are therefore of primary importance. "We know just how much pressure the consumer is exerting when it comes to greater sustainability. As a supplier to the packaging industry, we have therefore entered into a strategic partnership with Syntegon, a globally leading provider of processing and packaging technology. Although people are demanding to see an instant revolution in terms of greater sustainability, this is only possible by taking an evolutionary path. To ensure that we move step by step in the right direction, Syntegon and the Koehler Paper Group are strategically combining their knowledge," said Eckard Kallies, Head of the Flexible Packaging Paper Division at Koehler.
Existing machines can also be used for paper
According to Eckard Kallies, this close collaboration has already been in existence for two years now. He added that technicians and engineers from the Koehler Paper Group meet regularly at Syntegon's test center for vertical packaging technology. The products of the newly founded Koehler Flexible Packaging Paper Division will initially run on pilot machines there. "We are presenting our new stand-up pouch made of paper (Doy paper bag) together with our partner Koehler. This sustainable packaging solution is a prime example of the benefits of cooperation: You cannot achieve sustainability on your own," says Pierre Hamelink, Key Account Manager & Sustainability Strategy Vertical Packaging Technology at Syntegon.
At Koehler, product manager Alexander Rauer, among others, is also responsible for making this happen. The mechanical engineer has identified a clear goal: "Our goal is to ensure that our customers can continue to use their existing machines, on which multilayer and monomaterials made of plastic have been processed until now, for paper as well. They change the rolls, and that's it! Of course, plastic is more patient than paper. But the people at Syntegon know their way around temperature, pressure, friction coefficients, edges, and forming shoulders - and we are adapting to this in paper production. This takes place on a microscopic level in analyses and flows into our production in the form of adjustments."
The packaging machines from Syntegon will also use paper in the future.
© Syntegon
Functional surfaces from renewable raw materials
This interdisciplinary collaboration is backed up by research work at the Technical University of Darmstadt, as part of the "Green Coating Collaboration" research partnership. Functional surfaces are produced from renewable raw materials. The result is paper that has a water-based polymer layer. "The products are fully recyclable," said Alexander Rauer. "We are thus providing a material for which a functioning cycle has long been in place and which is moving us one step closer to sustainability in the packaging industry."
For more information, please visit: www.koehlerpaper.com, www.syntegon.com
Scheugenpflug Completes Change of Legal Form.
The former Scheugenpflug AG became Scheugenpflug GmbH on September 1, 2020. The change of the company's legal form was decided in order to facilitate and accelerate integration into its new parent company Atlas Copco Group. All activities of the company will continue unchanged. General Manager of the new GmbH is Olaf Leonhardt.
Scheugenpflug already became part of the Swedish Atlas Copco Group on January 2, 2020. Since then, the specialist for dispensing technology has been operating as an independent business line within the "Industrial Assembly Solutions" (IAS) division.
The change of the legal form is aimed at reducing administrative effort and accelerating integration into the industrial group. The objective is to bundle business activities more quickly and effectively with the existing Atlas Copco brands and to offer customers more comprehensive synergies both technologically and in terms of service. The change of the legal form will not result in any changes for customers, partners, and employees. All contracts will remain unchanged and will continue to be legally valid without any name change.
For more information, please visit: www.scheugenpflug-dispensing.com
Biodegradable Alternatives to Plastic .
Germany generates around 38 kilograms of plastic waste per capita each year. A joint project is now working to establish a holistic concept for the sustainable use of biologically degradable packaging materials in the cosmetics sector.
Wood waste, oil and sugar residues, glycerol from biodiesel production - the bacteria at Dr. Susanne Zibek's lab at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart have already been fed on a whole variety of waste materials. These carbon-based feed sources cause the bacteria to produce specific intracellular storage granules, so-called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). These special biopolymers are the focus of the "SusPackaging" research project.
Objective: a wholly green value chain
In a joint project with the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Freising, the University of Stuttgart, and LCS Life Cycle Simulation in Backnang, researchers from Fraunhofer IGB are now seeking to create biologically based, biodegradable alternatives to plastic packaging in the cosmetics industry - in a wholly green value chain. Such a holistic concept with a focus on sustainability is new, explained Dr. Ana Lucía Vásquez-Caicedo from Fraunhofer IGB: "A lot of studies concentrate on individual aspects, but it's rare to see a consideration of the entire process chain all the way up to an evaluation of the quality of materials."
The process begins with cultivation of the bacteria. Dr. Susanne Zibek, group manager of the Food Processing Technology Group, and her colleague Dr. Thomas Hahn are investigating how specific microorganisms can be used to produce different PHAs with different structures, and how the choice of feed influences their characteristics. "Basically, we're trying to create new structural variants, so that we can then see whether the polymer produced is suitable as a packaging material," Zibek explained. The working group has support from researchers at the University of Stuttgart, who are taking a closer look at various characteristics of the microorganisms, including the extent to which they can adapt to toxic substances that might be contained in the natural feed sources.
Replacing harmful solvents
According to the scientists, before the PHAs can be processed and tested, they must first be extracted from the microorganisms. As a rule, this so-called purification process uses solvents such as chloroform, but the aim is to move away from environmentally harmful solvents. Therefore, Dr. Vásquez-Caicedo has developed a purely mechanical/physical method of cell disruption known as pressure change technology.
In this method, a process gas is first added to the fermentation broth containing the microorganisms. The broth is then pressurized, with the result that the process gas penetrates the cytoplasm of the cells. A rapid lowering of pressure in the broth destroys the cells and releases the PHA.
Following purification, the PHA is sent in the form of a white powder to Fraunhofer IVV in Freising, where it is turned first into granules and then into a polymer film. Initial testing on small sheets of this polymer has examined material characteristics such as thermal stability, plasticity, and various barrier properties, for example to prevent future cosmetic ingredients from drying out.
Dr. Cornelia Stramm from Fraunhofer IVV is satisfied with the results so far: "In terms of their mechanical properties, some PHA types are still proving somewhat difficult to process. We need to make a few adjustments there. But in terms of their barrier properties, PHAs show great potential compared to other biopolymers." At the end of each testing cycle, she sends the results back to Stuttgart along with recommendations for further action, and then the process begins again.
Freeze-dried bacteria before cell disruption
© Fraunhofer IGB
Optimization with each feedback loop
The volumes produced are still quite low and production takes a lot of time. But, according to the scientists, the process is further optimized with each feedback loop. Once all the steps have been finalized, a life cycle analysis conducted by the external project partner LCS Life Cycle Simulation will evaluate the energy efficiency and sustainability of the entire process in order to compare it with existing processes. All three researchers from Fraunhofer see great potential for PHAs. In the future, particularly for small items of disposable packaging, they could offer a genuine alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics.
For further information, please visit: www.igb.fraunhofer.de
Back into the Market with LIGNA.21 .
Preparations for LIGNA.21, which will take place from 27 September to 1 October 2021 in Hannover, Germany, are already in full swing. The international trade show for the wood industry is enjoying strong support from the sector despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With its focus topics, LINGNA.21 will also provide impulses for shaping the future of the industry.
© Deutsche Messe
Even though the opening day is still nine months away, event organizer Deutsche Messe says that demand for exhibition space is already strong. "The event will once again fill ten halls as well as the open-air site. All the big industry players are on board. It seems that after many weeks of social distancing, lockdowns, online-only events, and video conferencing from home, the industry is really looking forward to meeting up face-to-face," said Christian Pfeiffer, Global Director LIGNA & Woodworking Shows at Deutsche Messe, Hannover. "We're doing everything we can to provide a safe and successful marketplace where the wood industry can meet, showcase new products and developments, and get business moving again."
Focus is on three topics
As the industry's flagship fair, LIGNA not only presents the global range of tools, machines, and equipment for woodworking and wood processing, it also serves as a platform for debating the topics shaping the future of the industry. The upcoming show will focus on Woodworking Transformation, Prefab Building Processes, and Green Material Processing. Exhibitors will be highlighting these topics at their stands, and they will also be featured across various forums and special displays.
"We will present the pioneering developments and visionary ideas that will be shaping wood-industry production and business processes just a few years from now. That is more important than ever given the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Bernhard Dirr, Director of the German Engineering Federation VDMA Wood Processing Machines. "If we manage to showcase our industry in a way that people can physically explore, experience, and engage with, then I think we can call LIGNA 2021 a success, regardless of the visitor and exhibitor turnout."
"However, no-one can predict when the numbers of infections will start to fall significantly. So we have to be realistic. The global travel restrictions alone suggest that we are will have fewer international visitors than at LIGNA 2019," Pfeiffer added. "And because the virus is likely to be with us for some time to come, we need to find new ways of enabling businesses to engage with their markets. That's why we need LIGNA '21."
Social distancing and safety
The fair incorporates a public hygiene strategy that Deutsche Messe has developed in consultation with the relevant authorities. The show will have comprehensive measures in place to protect the health and safety of exhibitors and visitors in all areas of the venue. "For us, facilitating business and protecting health go hand in hand. To protect exhibitors and visitors, we will ensure that LIGNA '21 meets the highest standards of hygiene, safety, and healthcare," Pfeiffer pointed out.
The LIGNA team is also developing a digital participation option that will be offered alongside the show's familiar format.
For further information, please visit: www.ligna.de
SKZ Expands its Services to the Plastics Industry.
The German Plastics Centre (SKZ) is transferring the knowledge that it has acquired from numerous research projects into its own measurement and testing facilities. These practical quality assurance systems are now available to the plastics industry.
Non-destructive testing processes are often used to identify structural properties, such as defects and characteristics of the material, which are not visible from the outside of the component. Some of these procedures are on the threshold of being incorporated into standards and are based on ultrasound, terahertz, microwave or X-ray technology, thermography, or shearography. One common feature of all the processes is that simply using the measurement systems is not productive in itself and does not add value for users.
"A reliable test system must also offer referencing against alternative methods and the evaluation of application-specific data, which requires a fundamental understanding of plastics and a specialist knowledge of the issue in question. This makes it possible to carry out a reliable and accurate investigation of the features that are actually important to the user," explains Giovanni Schober, head of the non-destructive testing department at the SKZ.
In-depth knowledge of plastics is needed to create a comprehensive test system which ensures that users do not need to evaluate the measurement data (left), but instead are given the key figures that are really important to them (right).
© SKZ
During the course of many development projects over recent decades, the SKZ has focused on converting raw data into features such as geometric information, material properties, the presence of manufacturing-related or operational defects, or details of the status of the plant.
Contact: Giovanni Schober g.schober@skz.de
Jolt of Electricity Turns Off Adhesion.
A research group at Michigan Technological University, which is headed by Dr Bruce P. Lee (associate professor of biomedical engineering), has been working on smart adhesive systems for some time. The researchers' previous approach involved controlling adhesion with the help of the pH value. Then the team began investigating the hypothesis that the properties of adhesives can also be influenced using electricity and designed a test set-up to evaluate their assumption.
This consisted of a titanium sphere and a platinum wire electrode that delivered electrical stimulation to the adhesive, which was in contact with the sphere in the presence of salt water. The adhesive was a smart underwater hydrogel prototype containing catechol that had been inspired by nature.
"We brought the titanium sphere into contact with the adhesive, applied the electricity and then pulled back the surface. As we expected, the adhesive had become detached. We measured the force needed to detach the titanium from the adhesive using a measurement cell fitted to the sphere. Then we compared the adhesive forces with and without the use of electricity that we had recorded," explains Dr Bruce P. Lee. The glue lost its adhesion after only seven seconds when a voltage of nine volts was applied. Another finding was that the electricity and the oxidation changed the color of the adhesive from its original white to red.
Set-up for the electrical stimulation of an adhesive.
© Michigan Technological University
Benefits for future applications
Dr Lee's team is currently investigating whether the process can be reversed and the adhesive force reactivated with the help of electricity. If they are successful, it could in future be possible to use the adhesive repeatedly and to activate and deactivate it using electricity at any time. The change of color would be an additional indicator of the adhesive force. With a glue of this kind, it would be possible to assemble sensors under water, for example. Other potential applications are in the field of biomedicine, for example to allow wound dressings to be removed painlessly.
For more information: doi.org/10.1021/jacs.9b11266
Full Stock of Disinfectants at Emil Otto.
Based on the assumption that the coronavirus situation could become critical again this autumn, Emil Otto took precautions and ramped up disinfectant production in late summer to guarantee fast delivery.
"As far as disinfectants are concerned, our warehouses are well stocked, and we can deliver immediately," said Markus Geßner, Marketing and Sales manager at Emil Otto. In view of rising infection numbers in autumn, the chemical company from Eltville took precautions. The disinfectants developed in the spring were pre-produced in large quantities to ensure that they can be supplied immediately if demand increases again. The product range has also been further expanded, the company says.
Disinfectant gels with a high alcohol content
"We have developed flux gels with an alcohol content of over 90 %. This is unique worldwide. In contrast to the usual disinfectant gels, our disinfectant gels are quickly absorbed, do not leave a sticky and unpleasant smelling lubricating film, and are also friendly to the skin due to the addition of a glycerin component. Furthermore, the newly developed gels allow a more economical application, since they can be applied more easily than using purely liquid agents", Geßner explained.
In addition to hand disinfectants, Emil Otto also offers surface disinfectants. The portfolio consists of agents using both ethanol and isopropanol. All products can be ordered in different packaging units, from the handy spray bottle for occasional use to large containers for internal distribution. However, the guaranteed ability to deliver also applies to other products of the range. "In addition to the disinfectants, we can also supply all fluxes from our range quickly and reliably," said Geßner.
For further information, please visit: www.emilotto.de
Materials Recycling Meets Industry 4.0.
Researchers and developers have been relying on digitalization in their efforts to establish a sustainable circular economy. One aspect of this is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to recycle materials with a complex composition.
The recovery of raw materials from secondary sources plays a decisive role in the establishment of a sustainable circular economy. However, the complex design of many technical devices often makes efficient recycling difficult, because the valuable resources are closely linked with many other materials, which presents problems when trying to separate them out. At the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), rapid analysis processes are currently under development that may be able to resolve these difficulties.
New findings about complex material flows
The key feature of the test facility developed in collaboration with the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology and other partners is an interactive multi-sensor camera system that enables the researchers to acquire new knowledge in real time about complex material flows consisting of metals, plastics, and ceramics. "We will be using sensors and cameras developed as part of national and international collaborations for imaging purposes, so that we can characterize the material flow both qualitatively and quantitatively," says Richard Gloaguen, head of the exploration technology division at the HIF. The optical sensors allow for a non-destructive analysis and rapid imaging, while the image data that is captured is integrated and interpreted using current machine learning and deep learning methods. With funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free State of Saxony, the researchers in Freiberg can now reproduce on a demonstration scale the results that they have achieved on a laboratory scale.
Cloud platform for the circular economy
It is important for knowledge about recycling processes to be systematically distributed and for recycling-related information about the material flows in electric vehicles to be shared. This is the aim of the "Recycling 4.0" innovation alliance. Its members include Clausthal University of Technology, the Technical University of Braunschweig, and Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences. Twelve regional companies are also taking part in the project, which aims to establish an innovative circular economy on the basis of a decentralized cloud platform. With the help of the alliance, the universities involved aim to increase their knowledge of recycling and combine it with their information technology expertise.
Test facility for characterizing secondary raw materials on a conveyor at the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF).
© HZDR
Initially the research and development partners created a complete system, using the example of a lithium-ion traction battery, which can ultimately be transferred to all types of products and areas of the economy. The central goal of the innovation alliance is to develop technologies and methods for digitalizing the processes and for gathering and processing information. The intention is also to promote the use of the data that has been acquired in production and recycling processes. At the heart of the system is an information marketplace where the stakeholders in the circular economy can obtain information and buy and sell products, components and raw materials.
For more information: www.hzdr.de