Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT
Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT

Research area »Recycling technologies«

Separation, shredding and sorting of waste

The Recycling Technologies group deals with the separation, shredding and sorting of waste in preparation for mechanical recycling, solvent-based recycling and chemical recycling, such as solvolysis and pyrolysis.

Characterization of material flows and mechanical processing of plastics

Technical center for sorting and processing plastics
© Fraunhofer ICT
Technical center for sorting and processing plastics
  • Pre-shredding (dry and wet)
  • Sorting and classification
  • Processing of multilayer films, electronic scrap, composite waste (GRP & CFRP), thermosets such as PUR, minerals
  • Extraction of critical contaminants using sCO2 (e.g. flame retardants, plasticizers)

Recycling technologies

  • Mechanical processing of plastics for compounding, injection molding, etc.
  • Solvent-based recycling (HIPS, ABS, PVC, ...)
  • ATEX-compliant small-scale demonstration plant TRL 4-5 (10 kg)
  • Solvolysis (PUR, PET, PLA, PC, ...)
  • Pyrolysis of solvolyser residues
30 l solvolysis reactor - solvolysis product of the chemical recycling of PU flexible foam
© Fraunhofer ICT
30 l solvolysis reactor - solvolysis product of the chemical recycling of PU flexible foam

Processing & downstreaming

  • Membrane filtration reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, batch and continuous
  • Mixer-settler for liquid-liquid extraction
  • Rectification equipment (350 °C) at an operating pressure up to 1 mbar at 1 kg/h throughput, column DN50 (40 theoretical stages) available in continuous operation
Quasi-continuous CO2 extraction plant with 5 l extractor and separator and a 2 l extraction column
© Fraunhofer ICT
Quasi-continuous CO2 extraction plant with 5 l extractor and separator and a 2 l extraction column
Rectification unit
© W. Mayrhofer
Rectification unit
Membrane unit - stirred high-pressure cell for performing membrane screenings in the dead-end process (cake filtration)
© Fraunhofer ICT
Membrane unit - stirred high-pressure cell for performing membrane screenings in the dead-end process (cake filtration)

Recycling cascade for plastic waste

Would you like to know by which recycling method your feedstock generates the best output? Find the perfect technology combination for your waste.

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Most recent publication

Publicly funded projects (selection)

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Acronym Title Funding code more  Information
2Eplus Single-stage, single-phase, cost-effective and recyclable - THFDM, made from cellulose derived from waste wood, as a new product for the bioeconomy 031B1330  
Plast2becleaned Recycling process for waste electrical & electronic equipment GA-No. 821087 Link
SeSoBa Sensor-based sorting of construction waste FKZ: 033RK079 Link
CO2NIPU      
ReSOLve Recycling packaging waste by selective solvolysis P2021-0098 Link
CCPE Cluster Circular Plastic Economy   Link

 
RENEW Re-cycling of epoxies from nonferrous e-waste   Link

Babba Biodegradable bags in biowaste recycling BWBAW 20105 Link
KomSpekSe Combined spectroscopic and sensitive density separation of dark/black waste plastic mixtures from industry, production and commerce into unmixed fractions 033R289  
RevolPET Development of a recycling technology for PET waste plastics consisting of multilayer and other waste composites 033R193A-F Link
ReFoPlan Development of deconstruction and recycling standards for rotor blades 3720 31 301 0 Link
RePURKo Recycling of PUR composite waste by coupling individual and sensor-based recycling technologies 033R282  
Urbanrec New approaches for the valorization of URBAN bulky waste into high added value recycled products GA-No. 690103