Projects in the Thematic Area
There are 52 results.
OPENing Re-Use – Optimal planning decisions in the re-use sector
In an operational context, companies in the circular economy are faced daily with the question of whether a used product should be repaired, remanufactured, refurbished or recycled. The decision on what to do with used products is fraught with a great deal of uncertainty and must be made on a case-by-case basis - product-individually and depending on factors such as brand, condition, age, demand or recycling possibilities. As part of the "OPENing Re-Use" project, a business planning tool is being developed to support companies in their re-use planning, thereby increasing the efficiency of re-use processes and making re-use activities even more competitive with the purchase of new products.
PET2More - Biotechnological upcycling of PET plastic waste as a contribution to the gradual reduction of petroleum-based raw material dependency
The aim of the PET2More project is to develop a biotechnological process for upcycling PET plastic monomer waste. To this end, previously unknown and unavailable decarboxylase enzymes for the conversion of terephthalic acid and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid into valuable chemicals such as benzoic acid and furan-2-carboxylic acid are to be identified, characterized and optimized by means of enzyme engineering.
Earth movement: Clay - a climate- and resource-friendly building material
Manufacturing processes and transport of building materials are energy-intensive and cause high CO2emissions. In addition, many building materials pose a health and disposal problem due to their content of disruptive and harmful substances. Locally available clay can replace conventional materials if appropriately prepared and processed, and helps to save both manufacturing processes and transport routes.
DiRecT – Direct recycling and upcycling of titanium chips
In the project DiRecT, different new technologies will be developed and evaluated which make it possible to directly recycle the chips generated in the manufacturing process of high-quality titanium products or to produce directly from the chips near-net-shape components or improved semi-finished products (upcycling).
DeB-AT – Detection and separation of portable batteries from mixed waste using sensor technology and artificial intelligence
The DeB-AT project plans the development of a laboratory or pilot plant demonstrator for the targeted separation of batteries from mixed waste streams. The concept of the demonstrator follows the methodological elaboration of the necessary requirements of optical sensors and the separation technology for AI-supported detection of the general population of batteries.
BATTBOX - BATTeryrecycling Best Operations by X-processes for circular battery ecosystem
In the BATTBOX project, e-mobility traction batteries are analysed for their cycle capability. The design and structure of battery systems are examined and evaluated regarding potential hazards. Based on this, the best possible handling and processing procedures are developed to improve and optimize the product life cycle regarding safety and recyclability.
Hemp Ski, Recyclable ski manufacturing from hemp, bio-resin and waste streams
In industrial production for alpine skis, epoxy resins of fossil origin and pre-impregnated glass fiber reinforcements are processed today. Innovations that replace environmentally critical materials in skis with biogenic substitute materials with an improved environmental balance have so far been limited to the production of small series. This circumstance motivated the consortium to develop a solution for a circular bioeconomy with the HempSki project, which will also make industrial ski production from renewable raw materials and waste streams possible in the future.
EdeN - Efficient decentralized sustainable food production
In the EdeN project, a decentralized vertical farming concept is extended to meet circular economy requirements. The combination of vertical farming with closed energy-, resource- and distribution-loops is a possible disruptive concept in food production. The developed concepts will be accessible and transferable to other food producers, and its limitations will be pointed out.
PVReValue – Holistic recycling of photovoltaic modules
The PVReValue research project is pursuing a new approach to the holistic recycling of photovoltaic modules, based on an innovative multi-stage composite separation process that is being developed in the course of the project. The multi-stage separation process and the novel combination of modern treatment processes are expected to achieve a recycling rate of more than 95 wt.-%.
MeteoR – mechanical-thermochemical process combinations for the recycling of fine fractions from waste treatment facilities
In waste treatment plants large quantities of fine fractions are generated. Due to their heterogeneity and properties, these fractions are currently not used although they contain a whole range of materials that represent valuable resources. The aim of the project MeteoR is to enable the utilization of all components (mineral, metallic, and combustible) of fine fractions by combining mechanical and thermochemical processes, to close material cycles and to significantly contribute to the further development of the Austrian circular economy and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
ReKEP
ReKEP relies on reusable transport containers instead of (disposable) cardboard packaging. These should be affordable, effective and flexible to use in the CEP sector (courier, express, parcel). The logistics processes involved are examined and adjustments are proposed to achieve economic, ecological and social sustainability.
SHyRE - Sulfuric acid and hydrogen production for the electronics industry through innovative recycling
In SHyRE, an innovative process for sulfuric acid recycling is being developed. The aim is to efficiently produce high-purity sulfuric acid and hydrogen by combining novel decomposition processes with electrochemical methods.
rPS4FoodPackaging - Polystyrene Recycling for food contact applications
The production of recycled plastics for food contact applications is challenging. Besides recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) for beverage bottles, there are few alternatives in recycled plastics. This project focuses on researching a novel recycling process for polystyrene, aiming for approval of recycled polystyrene (rPS) for food contact applications.
ReTarget - Re-manufacturing and re-purposing of high-quality sputter materials
The project objective is to reduce the energy input in the production of sputtering targets by at least 20 % by direct re-manufacturing of used, precious metal targets. In addition, the utilization rate will be increased from an average of 20-30 % to 70-80 % through a direct re-purpose approach, as well as by optimizing the sputtering process. This will allow a significant reduction of the footprint of the sputtering process.
CircuPack - Recyclable materials for food packaging with a low ecological footprint
The goal of the project is to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly food packaging with an improved ecological footprint. It is important to develop a new process control that ensures both food compatibility and the sustainability of the resulting product.
BitKOIN - CO2-reduced binding agent through thermochemical conversion of mineral wool waste combinations
In the BitKOIN project, conceptual, experimental and model research activities are conducted in order to develop a substitute material for ground-granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). First, mineral wool waste and other mineral residues, which are required as additives to achieve the desired chemistry, are sampled representatively. The materials are then characterized chemically, mineralogically and physically and are additionally classified according to waste regulations. By thermochemical conditioning of the mineral wool waste, combined with the other waste materials, the "Huettensand 2.0" (GGBS 2.0) is developed. The project aims to develop the "Huettensand 2.0" , a durable GGBS substitute.
Secondary Materials in the Austrian Textile Industry - Study with Recommendations for the Austrian R&D-Politics
This study deals with the challenges and potentials for the use of secondary materials in the Austrian textile industry. It identifies challenges and potentials for establishing cycles in the textile industry with a focus on the use of secondary materials in Austria based on broad stakeholder involvement. Based on this, recommendations for research and development activities were formulated to promote recycling.
Circular Economy Funding
In this project, online research and expert interviews were used to collect available funding opportunities for projects and measures within the field of circular economy. The results were transferred to a database and organized for searches according to suitability.
LightCycle
Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite components with low weight, so-called lightweight components for transport and mobility, lead to significant CO2 savings. Despite established production technologies and weight savings, further progress in lightweight construction is increasingly difficult because the sustainability of these products is currently not given due to the unresolved recycling problem, although the regulations require, among other things, 85 % recycling of an end-of-life vehicle.
Wastewater cycle. Cascadic recycling of wastewater and organic residue streams in buildings.
Basic research is being conducted for a sustainable cycle-oriented system for the building-integrated recycling of wastewater and food waste. This includes nutrient recovery for a sustainable circulation system (production of plant fertiliser and biochar), electricity production to meet the demand (up to 15 %) of plus-energy buildings, as well as water recovery for irrigation of the building's own or urban greenery and for summer cooling.