A solvent-based recycling process should be able to efficiently remove plasticizers from old PVC flooring.
 

The “Circular Flooring” research project of the consortium of the same name, led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, aimed to show that recycled material from PVC flooring waste can be returned to the product cycle. The researchers have developed a solvent-based recycling process for this waste. This made it possible to separate PVC from unwanted plasticizers and recover it, according to a press release from the IVV. The recycling process is said to use formulations jointly developed by IVV and CreaCycle GmbH. The recovered PVC material complied with the requirements of EU legislation (REACH) and could therefore be used for the production of new PVC flooring. In addition, the consortium had demonstrated the technological feasibility of the process on a pilot scale and thus prepared for scaling up to a commercial scale. The IVV in Freising reportedly carried out the project together with eleven companies and research institutes from five European countries. The European Union funded “Circular Flooring” with around 5.4 million euros from the “Horizon 2020” framework program.
 
Quellen:

• Fraunhofer IVV press release (18.7.2024)
• Photo: © Fraunhofer IVV