PLAS4PLAS

The joint project PLAS4PLAS, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, aims to develop an innovative method for the sustainable recycling of glass-fibre reinforced plastics (GRP). In cooperation with the Institute for Environment & Energy, Technology & Analytics (IUTA) and the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, the research team is working on an emission-free and residue-free recycling process based on thermal plasma. The planned process relies on a gasification process supported by a thermal plasma. In this process, working gas is heated to several thousand degrees Celsius and serves as an extremely hot medium that breaks down the composite material into its components. In contrast to conventional combustion, the required energy is supplied via the plasma as electrical energy from the outside. The plastic content is gently converted into syngas, which can be used as a raw material for the production of new plastics.

At the same time, the extent to which the remaining glass content and other recoverable elements are suitable for the production of other products is being investigated A central goal of the project is the optimization of thermal plasma technology for the specific requirements of the recycling of GRP waste. The recycling process is assessed both ecologically and economically to ensure its sustainability and efficiency. In addition, the technical basis for scaling the process and the development of a large-scale GRP gasification reactor is being developed. In addition to the technical implementation, the project also investigates the long-term potentials of plasma technology for the supply of raw materials for fiber-reinforced plastics as well as the social acceptance of the new technologies as a prerequisite for broad implementation.

The project is funded by the Volkswagenstiftung and runs from 2025 to 2029.