Projects in the Thematic Area
There are 25 results.
CreeS - Chromium-free Slag
The project develops an innovative technological approach to producing chromium-free stainless steel slags (EDS) for sustainable cement and steel industries. By removing heavy metals and recycling material streams, it enables resource-efficient utilization, reducing CO₂ emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting the circular economy. The comprehensive process delivers ecological and economic benefits, applicable to various slag types.
Sustainable catalyst-coated electrodes for efficient AEM electrolyser production (SAEP)
The SAEP project focuses on the development of anion exchange membrane electrolyzers (AEMEL) for the cost-effective production of green hydrogen through the development of catalysts without platinum group metals. Led by TU Graz, Joanneum Research, and Duramea, the project focuses on roll-to-roll scalable electrode manufacturing with enhanced performance and durability. Innovative pre-/post-treatment and energy-efficient drying methods ensure defect-free, corrosion-resistant electrodes. A life cycle analysis integrates circular economy principles to optimize resource efficiency and minimize waste, fostering sustainable and high-performance AEMEL electrode production in Austria.
Green-TUrbine - Sustainable Manufacturing and Lifecycle Optimization for Pelton Runners through Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing
The Green-TUrbine project investigates the integration of WAAM technology into the lifecycle of Pelton turbines to enhance their sustainability. The principles of "Rethink, Reduce, Reuse" are applied to optimize manufacturing, resource consumption, and the reuse of the runners. A comprehensive LCA will evaluate the ecological and economic impacts.
AI-driven decontamination technologies for repurpose/recycle to meet food-contact regulations using light (Light-AIClean)
The project aims to develop a chemometrics-assisted decontamination (DC) process for waste plastic with AI-driven quality control and a renewable energy-based DC technology. By utilizing visible light and a reusable catalytic system, it seeks to replace resource-intensive methods like hot water washing and gamma irradiation. AI techniques, including neural networks and reinforcement learning, will optimize efficiency, reducing resource use. The process will be tested in a photoreactor and automated DC setup, benefiting the recycling industry, AI developers, and environmental sustainability while promoting circular economy principles.
SLEEVE – Packaging and process optimisation of plastic packaging with sleeves
Development and design of selected and recyclable plastic packaging with sleeves that can be sorted and processed into high-quality recyclates. All the factors along the value chain are considered (design, consumer behaviour, sorting, recycling) in order to optimise the product cycle in the best possible way and maximise recyclate quantities and qualities.
NatMatSave30! – substitution of naturally mined raw materials to achieve material-footprint goals in 2030!
Blast furnace slag (BFS) is a waste product in a steel manufacturing process and is available regularly and in huge amounts. It should substitute naturally mined, mineral raw materials. This means also calcium carbonates, which are used in building industry and are responsible for ca. 50 % of the domestic material consumption of 167 Mio tons. By wet-milling BFS it’s oxides should be able to form calcium carbonate again by recarbonatisation with CO2 from the surrounding atmosphere.
StraTex ‐ Sorting and processing strategies for used textiles to produce recyclable fractions
In StraTex, suitable, economically viable and holistic strategies for the collection, processing and automated sorting of mixed non‐reusable textiles are being developed and experimentally implemented in order to increase the proportion of marketable fractions for high‐quality material recycling (preferably fibre2fibre).
PolyBacTex - Converting mixed textile waste into recycled fibres and cellulose for sustainable production
The project PolyBacTex is developing a solution for recycling of used mixed textiles by chemically separating and biotechnologically upgrading the individual fibre types (cellulose and polyester). This allows cellulose fibres to be recovered and returned to the fibre production process.
NaKaReMa - Improving the sustainability of cable sheathing through regional, bio-based and recycled materials
The NaKaReMa project takes a holistic approach to cable sheathing for automotive applications and their improvement in terms of sustainability. To this end, various approaches are being investigated - both regional raw material sources to reduce transport routes and bio-based raw materials to reduce dependence on crude oil. The use of recyclates from cable sheathing to close the cycle through recycling is also being investigated.
Pyrolysis technologies in Europe
Technology overview of medium-fast pyrolysis for decentralised applications, for small and medium-sized enterprises and for the circular economy
Circular Economy Compass (KLW-Komp)
The Circular Economy Compass project has developed a responsive online self-assessment tool for the circular economy in SMEs. Based on a theory-based evaluation scheme, it is be possible to determine a company's degree of preparedness for a circular economy at a reasonable cost. To this end, the tool has a computational logic that automatically generates a circularity score (KPI, Key Performance Indicator) based on the answers.
CycLR - Paint recycling and utilization of components
The CycLR project aims to implement a circular economy for water-based paints. A recycling process that enables the valorisation of recyclates is being developed, taking into account all parties involved in the value chain.
Road-to-Road/ Verschränkung neuartiger Methoden zur effizienten „Road-to-Road“ Inwertsetzung von Altasphalt
The planned combination of experimental and model-based methods for assessing/describing the behavior of asphalt shall enable the goal-oriented optimization of the performance/durability of recycled asphalt, with the resulting positive effects (CO2 balance, transport distances, landfill volume) being quantified within the project.
UPTextIL - Upcycling cellulose from used textiles into high-strength filaments using spinning technology in ionic liquids
The aim of the project is to develop a process for spinning cellulose from used textiles using ionic liquids, to analyze potential impurities in this recycling material stream, and to develop strategies for their removal or avoidance during the spinning process. The project aims to lay the foundations for closing the material cycle of cellulose from used textiles.
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.
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.
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.