The project is on the right track! Regarding the pre-sorting process: our RAMAN spectroscopy equipment is set-up and calibrated and a spectral library is in place.
Over 18 months, the consortium members TNO and Fraunhofer ICT performed over 300 experiments on the different steps of the process.
Model and reference Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment materials supplied by the project partners were used to test the efficiency of antimony trioxide and brominated flame retardants removal from the polymer as well as recovery of these two additives.
The analysis showed that the removal of additives is well underway to reach specifications. A Process Flow Diagram (PFD) was drawn based on the best results of the individual steps. This PFD will be the basis of the design of the technology readiness level (TRL) 5 set-up at Fraunhofer ICT.
Likewise, an impact assessment showed a better environmental performance and reduced costs can be achieved by using a blend with at least 50% of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) compared to using 100% virgin material.
