AIIMPLAS Solves the Recycling Problem of Multilayer Plastics Through Innovative Recycling Technology

Multilayer plastic materials pose significant challenges at the end of their lifecycle due to the complexity of separating and processing various components. This difficulty leads to reduced recycling efficiency and increases the amount of waste ultimately ending up in landfills or incinerators.

AIMPAS is addressing this issue through innovative technologies such as physicochemical layering, a combination of mechanical separation techniques, and enzyme recovery. These methods achieve efficient and sustainable recycling of multilayer waste, enabling its reintroduction into the value chain or use in the production of new recycled plastic products.

This work was carried out within the framework of the RECIPLUS research project, which is funded by ERDF through the Valencia Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i).

Optimized separation technology to improve efficiency

As part of this research, AIIMPLAS has also optimized existing separation technologies to improve efficiency based on the material mixtures obtained after delamination. This includes various methods such as NIR (near-infrared) separation, air-flow density separation, and triboelectric separation.

Mireia Fernández, the lead researcher in chemical recycling at AIMPLAS, explained: "Multilayer materials are complex plastics commonly found in various industrial sectors such as food or chemical packaging, pharmaceuticals, automotive, electronics, and construction. In the RECIPLUS project, we explored different strategies to address the recycling issues of multilayer structures using innovative technologies such as physical and chemical delamination with supercritical fluids."

To separate and purify the different components of multilayer structures, "we use chemical solvents under supercritical fluid pressure and temperature conditions, which allows us to reduce processing time and solvent usage. The environmental impact is lower, and the purity of the separated components is higher," the researchers emphasized.

Once the different components of multilayer materials (PE, PET, and aluminum) are separated, they can be reintroduced into the value chain as recycled films, thereby achieving a closed loop. Alternatively, they can be used individually for the production of plastic products. Using recycled polyethylene, whose properties are modified through additive processing, we manufacture flower pots as an example of a circular economy in the plastics industry," said Fernández.

Enzyme recovery promotes self-biodegradation.