Digitalization for polyamides reuse
Recently, the Galician Innovation Agency has funded REPLAY project, in which CETIM collaborates, within the framework of the Conecta Hub call.
Led by UTINGAL, REPLAY will generate the first intelligent digital integrated solution for polyamides reuse in high added value applications for the aeronautical sector.
Project’s kick-off meeting took place last Thursday, October 21st.
Most of the plastics currently on the market are derived from petroleum; however, given the growing environmental concerns, plastics derived from renewable materials -such as PLA (polylactic acid)- are increasingly popular in the market. However, the increase in the consumption of these polymeric materials in multiple industrial sectors is associated with an increase in waste, which translates into environmental problems that must be solved.
Thus, REPLAY arises, a proposal that seeks to generate the first intelligent digital integrated solution for the reuse of polyamides from various industrial sectors for new applications. The objective of the project is technological research with digital tools for products, processes, materials and services which reduce the environmental impact on industry through the use of enabling technologies such as advanced materials, nanotechnologies and biotechnologies.
Led by UTINGAL, a leading company in the aeronautical sector, REPLAY will focus on the mechanical recycling of aeronautical industry by-products, thanks to the production of high added value composites focused on their use in advanced technologies, such as 3D printing. All this using intelligent digital tools for the interpretation, automation and execution of intuitive solutions in human-machine interaction. The final objective of REPLAY is to develop a comprehensive industrial polyamide recycling process, which can be exported easily and accessible to any plastics industry. The consortium is formed by 5 companies that cover the entire value chain: ENSO (spin-off of CETIM) for the chemical formulation of recycled composites; MOVERATUS for the automation and development of 3D printing technologies; MSS-SEIDOR for the development of a fully transversal, universal, parameterizable and usable software, compatible with the management systems of potential REPLAY users; ECOPLAS its revaluation in the food packaging sector; and UTINGAL for the development of the physical operational installation and related engineering work. REPLAY also has participation of two reference centers such as CETIM and UVIGO.
CETIM will support REPLAY consortium in the analysis and formulation of advanced polyamides from aeronautical industry by-products. We will also collaborate to develop disruptive applications of this polyamide in sectors such as food.
In order to successfully carry out this work, the first consortium meeting was held last Thursday, October 21, to lay the technical foundations for starting the research.
Thus, REPLAY will generate a solution to the polymeric waste produced in the industries giving them a value-added use such as additive manufacturing by relying on new material formulations and advanced manufacturing processes optimized through the use of ICTs that will facilitate its deployment.
Once the project is completed, it’s expected to expand its dissemination and introduction in the private sector and in areas of public interest, promoting its digital transformation and its access to digital technologies.
This project is subsidised by the Axencia Galega de Innovación within the framework of the 2021 call of the CONECTA HUBS Programme. It has been supported by the Second Vice-Presidency and Regional Ministry of Economy, Enterprise and Innovation and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the framework of the Galicia ERDF Operational Programme 2014-2020. Axis 1. “Strengthening research, technological development and innovation” (specific objective 1.2.1).