To adapt the entire plastics value chain in the Valencian Community to the circular economy model, AIMPLAS, the Technological Institute of Plastics, is carrying out a series of projects funded by IVACE that promote new recycling processes, new sustainable materials and even the capture of CO2 for use in the production of new plastics.
Specifically, the RESPECT project is working on the development of new processes for separating and recovering value from complex waste, ranging from separation and depolymerization to chemical recycling using processes such as thermal cracking or biological cracking. The aim is to transform waste that, due to its complex composition, was not previously recycled back into raw materials. The companies collaborating on this project are ACTECO PRODUCTOS Y SERVICIOS, CLAM DESARROLLO, GESTIÓN INTEGRAL DE RESIDUOS SOLIDOS (GIRSA), REDES SINTÉTICAS, and UBE CORPORATION EUROPE.
On the other hand, the ESVANREC project focuses on the recycling of biodegradable plastics. These new materials offer a significant advantage in certain applications, but if disposed of incorrectly, they can hinder the recycling of other materials. Therefore, this project aims to improve the optical separation of these plastics at waste management and recycling plants, as well as eliminate volatile contaminants that generate odors and processing defects, and neutralize unwanted coloration resulting from the combination of different dyes. All of this will improve the final properties of the recycled material obtained, allowing for its reintroduction into the value chain with higher quality. Furthermore, the project aims to obtain monomers that will enable the synthesis of new bioplastics. The companies collaborating on the project are: ACTECO PRODUCTOS Y SERVICIOS, ALCIÓN PACKAGING SOLUTIONS, DUCPLAST, ESLAVA PLÁSTICOS, GAVIPLAST, ITC PACKAGING, and PICDA - Plásticos Industriales de Alfarrasí.
The ENZPLAST3 project investigates how enzymes can be used to promote and stimulate the biodegradation of polymers as an innovative alternative that facilitates disintegration and allows for the removal of coatings, adhesives, etc. The resulting product can then be mechanically recycled in the case of thermoplastics, and it also has high potential for degrading thermoset polymers. Additionally, the project includes the synthesis of new polymers within the framework of what is known as green chemistry, eliminating the need for metallic catalysts and thus avoiding exposure to their toxicity. The companies collaborating on this project are LAURENTIA TECHNOLOGIES, ADM BIOPOLIS, BIOINICIA, POLYPEPTIDE THERAPEUTIC SOLUTIONS, VALLES PLASTIC FILM, ACSA FILMS, OMAR COATINGS, and TALLERES XÚQUER.
Along these same lines, the AGRO-VALOR project is developing new, more sustainable agricultural plastics. Specifically, compostable bioplastics with barrier properties to protect crops in the form of films or mulch, which degrade along with other organic matter. Three-layer structures are also being developed, eliminating adhesives to facilitate recycling or composting. And in the case of plastic products such as pipes or films, their recycling will be promoted for the manufacture of new products for plasticulture, such as seed trays or foams for hydroponic cultivation. GAVIPLÁS, ACTECO, AVA-ASAJA, PLASTIRE, SAN-SAN, PICDA, and INDESLA are collaborating on the project.
Finally, the CO2 2020 project addresses the problem of invisible waste by capturing industrial CO2 using modified membranes and then using it to obtain molecules that can be reused by the chemical and plastics industries to manufacture new products. KERABEN, TORRECID, LAURENTIA, QUIMACOVA, and QUÍMICAS SANZ are collaborating on the project.
These projects are financed by the Valencian Regional Government's Ministry of Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Employment through IVACE grants with co-financing from the EU's ERDF funds, within the ERDF Operational Programme of the Valencian Community 2014-2020. These grants are aimed at technology centres in the Valencian Community for the development of non-economic R&D projects carried out in cooperation with companies for the 2020 financial year.
