AIJU investigates the recycling of thermoplastic waste for its revaluation with large format 3D printing

   ALICANTE, 19 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Technological Institute of Children's and Leisure Products (AIJU) participates in the collaborative innovation project 'R3tornado', whose objective is to investigate the recycling of thermoplastic waste for its revaluation, as raw material, in advanced "large format" 3D printing processes and high productivity".

In addition to AIJU, the Toy Valley Innovative Companies Cluster (CEIV), the IDONIAL Foundation, Acteco Productos y Servicios, S.L., Promak Selling Solutions, S.L. participate in the project. and the Spanish Center for Plastics (CEP), as indicated by the technological institute in a statement.

The research aims to improve the use of recycled plastic materials in additive manufacturing processes, specifically in the large format 3D printing process. In this sense, it is about reducing the volume of non-recoverable thermoplastic waste; enhance the recovery and reuse of this waste within the industrial ecosystem through the use of additive manufacturing; and disseminate the potential of this transformation process as a tool to recover thermoplastic waste.

Currently, plastic waste that can be recycled to be used in the most widespread additive manufacturing - based on filament extrusion - must go through a series of phases: grinding, melting, extruding, drawing or winding, among others, with a "high energy cost to the detriment of the environmental balance of the entire process."

Furthermore, although there are filaments from recycled sources, "for practical purposes 3D printing is not causing a great impact in terms of volumes of transformed recycled material."

Therefore, among the objectives of the R3tornado project is to identify recycled polymers that are likely to be more compatible with the large format 3D printing process and optimize the process for its "correct implementation."

In addition, R3tornado will identify and establish potential application lines for recycled materials in large products, through this technology and will evaluate the life cycle of 3D printing as a sink for thermoplastic waste.

The project has been financed by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism through the aid program to support Innovative Business Groups (AEI), within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, with the aim of improving the competitiveness of small businesses. and medium-sized companies.