New technologies for chemical and mixed recycling of COMposites to boost the circular economy at scale (COMAR Project)

The COMAR project is focused on the search of new ways to recycle and reuse waste coming from  composites  based  on  thermostable  and  vitrimeric  matrices,  through  different  chemical  recycling techniques such as pyrolysis and solvolysis.

The project’s objective is to develop new products designed for the construction, wind energy, and transportation sectors, using materials obtained through the recycling of composite wastes,  while employing conditions that allow for the preservation of the mechanical properties of the obtained fibers or their restoration if it was necessary. The by-products obtained, for example, in processes like solvolysis, will lead to the formation of new matrices that can be used in these sectors or others of interest.

The aims are to:

• Establish innovative routes for the reuse and recycling of waste coming from composites, striving to minimize energy consumption and maximize the properties of the recovered fibers.
• Improve  the  sustainability  of  the  composite  industry  through  the  revaluation  of  by-products.
• Reduce the environmental impact of solvolysis and pyrolysis processes through researching into the use of catalysts.
• Provide a waste valorization strategy for each application.
• Promote the circular economy in the composite sector.
• Encourage  digitalization  and  Industry  4.0  in  the  composite  sector  to  enhance productivity, quality, and costs.

With our participation,  Técnicas Reunidas  aims to develop  the  catalytic  pyrolysis  technology  applied to the recycling of composite materials with two fundamental objectives. On one hand, to improve operating conditions to reduce processing temperatures and energy consumption, and, on the other hand, to obtain higher value-added liquid pyrolysis products for applictions as fuel  or as  precursors for high-interest  chemicals such as phenol,  styrene,  or  BTX,  among  others.

For liquid fraction valorization, COMAR will collaborate with Repsol, acting as an external advisor, with the aim to tailor the composition and performance of these fractions to market needs. Técnicas  Reunidas  is  carrying  out  this  project  in  consortium  with  Mesbook,  Rover  Infraestructuras, InCom Group, Sofitec, Aerox, UBE and Azvi. The project has been granted with CDTI financing, coming from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation  and  Universities,  and  co-financed  by  the  European  Regional  Development  Fund  (ERDF), through the Pluri-regional programme Spain ERDF 2021-2027.