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AIMPLAS Investigates Quality of Recycled Plastics Coming from Auto Waste

The primary aim of the study is to help increase use of recycled plastics in the automotive sector.

Stephen Moore

July 16, 2024

2 Min Read
recycling study
Image courtesy of AIMPLAS

Plastics routinely replace metals and other materials in car exteriors and interiors. Plastic parts help reduce vehicle weight and, therefore, CO2 emissions. Moreover, as one of the world’s greatest consumers of plastics, the automotive industry is steadily increasing the percentage of recycled plastic to produce more sustainable vehicles and reduce their environmental impact.

With the aim of facilitating the use of recycled and renewable materials in the automotive sector, Spain’s AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, has launched the SURFTOP Project, with funding from the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) and the European Regional Development Fund. The project focuses on studying the effects of using recycled materials to manufacture parts for vehicle interiors and exteriors and aims to develop technologies that make it possible to comply with vehicle interior air quality (VIAQ) requirements while maintaining the surface properties established by manufacturers.

SURFTOP project focuses on surface properties, volatiles.

As explained by Sergio Mayor Aroca, a researcher at the Automotive and Transportation Laboratory at AIMPLAS, “Improving the quality of recycled materials from cars is key to using them more in the sector. SURFTOP is part of a circular economy strategy, because it focuses on obtaining recycled raw materials from automotive industry waste for the manufacture of new parts that will be analyzed in terms of volatile and semi-volatile compounds, as well as surface properties, in order to comply with the requirements established by the automotive industry for parts designed for interior and exterior use.”

Related:Global AIMPLAS Seminar Highlights Biopolymers

The surface properties of plastics refer to the material’s surface characteristics, which can affect its appearance (gloss, color, roughness), bonding capacity (especially for parts that will be painted), and resistance to wear, impact, scratching, and chemical agents. Furthermore, low emission levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors from recycled plastic materials inside the vehicle are required by manufacturers.

Injection molder helps validate process.

This project also involves Prisma Soporte Industrial, a company that handles injection molding and painting of automotive parts. It will help validate the process and functionality of the recycled materials to ensure compliance with quality and emission requirements and will help transfer the results. Recycling company GBP Metal Group will provide post-consumer recycled materials from specific car parts.

About the Author

Stephen Moore

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and a proud dachshund owner.

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