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07 May 2008  -  France

The winner of the JEC / SAMPE Student Environment Award

© JEC Composites Magazine

During the SAMPE dinner previous to the JEC Show Paris, James Palmer from the University of Exeter, UK has received this student environment award for his thesis research on recycling of automotive composites (under the name RECCOMP).

Together with this honour, JEC offers transportation, accommodation and presentation of his research during the JEC Asia in Singapore to be held on October 22, 23 and 24, 2008. 

More about RECCOMP (RECycling of automotiive COMPosites) 
The European Union End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive requires that 85% of a vehicle (by weight) must be capable of recovery or reuse from Jan 2006 and 95% by 2015. Investigations have showed that the 85% target cannot be reached by recycling metals alone, as these only account for around 76% of the weight of the average passenger car. Plastic parts represent the next biggest weight fraction at between 9-12%. Therefore plastics recycling must be considered if these ambitious ELV targets are to be met.

Sheet and Bulk Moulding compounds (SMC/BMC) form the major part of the plastic fraction used on vehicles. Historically auto manufacturers have favoured these materials for their mechanical properties, design freedom, low-weight and, most importantly, low cost. The use of these materials is ever increasing, especially for exterior body panels, where a simple manufacturing method can deliver the required class-A surface finish not achievable by competing thermoplastic solutions.

The goal of this project is to develop new, high quality, SMC/BMC materials that are derived from recycled SMC/BMC through a granulation process, where the comminuted materials are then used as fillers in other products. It seeks to understand and develop improved SMC/BMC formulations involving recyclate as an active reinforcing agent, rather than just the passive filler as considered in previous studies.

An attempt will also be made to develop advanced BMC formulations utilising carbon fibre (CF) recyclate as the reinforcing agent, rather than conventional glass fibres. Specific applications require strong, ultra lightweight components; previously the high cost of carbon fibre has precluded the widespread use of this material, by developing new formulations of CF-BMC many new areas of application can be opened up. RECCOMP is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Source : JEC Group