Published February 7, 2025 | Version 1

Solvolytic recycling of unsaturated polyester resin-based sheet moulding composites

  • 1. TNO, Sustainable Processes and Energy Systems, Kesslerpark 1, Rijswijk, 2288 GS, The Netherlands

Description

To reduce the weight of new cars and other vehicles, resin composites are used more and more instead of metal sheet parts. However, recycling these composites is still difficult, and they often end up in landfill or are incinerated. The research in this paper shows that it is possible to recycle them by reacting them with a mixture of monoethylamine and potassium hydroxide. As a result, the resin falls apart, and the glass fibers inside can be recovered without losing any strength.

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