Today various separation techniques make it possible to recover high-quality plastic compound feedstock from complex composite materials or coated scrap parts, either from post-industrial or post-consumer sources. The feed obtained can be re-processed and used in the same application as before (closed loop) or others at choice (open loop). In most cases the quality of the recycled / resulting plastic compounds is close to prime and allows high concentration levels, up to 100%.
"High-tech recycling of plastic waste coming from post-consumer as well as post-industrial sources is not only a question of resource efficiency and cost consciousness, but being CO2-responsible and acting sustainable from the enduser´s / consumer´s perspective. ," says Thomas Marquardt, Managing Director of WIPAG.
WIPAG, a 100% subsidiary of ALBIS PLASTIC, is a recycling specialist in reprocesses of engineering plastic compounds (e.g. PP-TV, PP-GF, ABS, PA-GF) and in making new, innovative carbon fiber compounds (e.g. PP-CF, PA-CF) using carbon composite waste streams.
"The high interest of automotive (OEMs/ Tiers) in our new WIC- carbon compounds has to do with the weight-saving potential and respectively improved fuel-economy / mileage of cars. In future the needed range of hybrids and full-electric cars will require even more and improved lightweight solutions. Consequently, the carbon footprint for building and the CO2 emissions for driving cars are very important aspects for material and application engineers to design future cars."
As a material, carbon impresses due to its extremely low weight, high rigidity and good strength. It barely expands when heated, is chemically stable and provides excellent heat and electrical conductivity. Technology developed by WIPAG offers carbon fibre filled thermoplastic compounds ready to be used in standard injection moulding processes as a drop-in solution.
In particular, lightweight carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic can replace metal and be used in a wide range of application areas.
“Thanks to its durability / strength and “lightweight-convenience” it is ideally suited for manufacturing sports / leisure parts (e.g. ski-boots, bicycle / surfing-gear) and medical device products (e.g. orthoprothesis components, mobility rollator). Its electrical conductivity makes WIPAG's WIC carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic compounds a perfect fit to avoid static loads and explosive hazards according to ATEX guidelines, a safety factor built-in.”, Marquardt went on to say.