Projects
There are 39 results.
NNATT - Sustainable use of excavated materials from civil engineering and tunnelling using sensor-based technologies
The holistic system developed in the NNATT project for the sustainable utilisation of excavated materials starts with the geology and extends through the construction process to recycling. With the help of sensor-based real-time analyses and an AI-supported decision matrix, excavated materials are separated and further developed into customised products.
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.
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.
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.-%.
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.
QB3R – Quality controlled high‐performance components consisting of 100% bio‐based resins with high potential in repair and recycling
The QB3R project aims to develop an epoxy resin system having a 100% bio‐based carbon content. The QB3R resin will be processable with various different manufacturing techniques resulting in high performance components for long‐lasting material goods.
RE-FORM earth - Earth Building for Building Sector Transformation
In order to promote the use of earth, the RE-FORM earth project is creating a planning basis for the construction of structures and buildings containing earth. In order to counter uncertainties regarding the health effects of earth building materials, a comprehensive program is being carried out to investigate radiation exposure and potential pollutants in earth. By erecting a temperature-controlled rammed earth wall in a test room with subsequent measurements, the aim is to determine the extent to which the material can contribute to healthy indoor air due to its moisture-regulating properties and help to balance out energy peaks.
RE:STOCK INDUSTRY - Digital framework for the circular reuse of existing structures for vertical production
RE:STOCK INDUSTRY is developing AI-based Scan-to-FEM methods, vertical 3D production concepts, and an interactive AR application for precise capturing, modelling, and analysis of industrial buildings' load-bearing structures. The aim is to determine the potential of the structure for reuse, modernization, and vertical expansion, considering aspects of circular economy.
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.
ReNew PV - Coating to increase the service life of PV modules with damaged backsheets
The ReNew PV project focuses on the development of lifetime-extending coating solutions for the backsheets of PV modules. The focus is on a protective coating to restore the electrical resistance and on the repair of cracked or mechanically damaged backsheets.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
circPLAST‐mr Mechanical Recycling of Plastics: Mechanisches Recycling von Kunststoffen: From waste plastics to high‐quality and specification‐compliant recyclates
The flagship project circPLAST‐mr pursues the following 4 main objectives: (1) to identify and explore previously unused potential for mechanical plastics recycling, (2) to define and test key process steps for this on a laboratory/pilot scale, (3) to demonstrate the eco‐efficient marketability of increased recycled plastic volumes, and (4) to demonstrate the scalability of the laboratory/pilot process steps to industrial scale.
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.