REVALOOP Reactive extrusion for the recovery of cross-linked EVA waste
Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is a material widely used in the manufacture of footwear components due to its properties such as flexibility, impact resistance and lightness. However, the footwear industry faces a major challenge when it comes to managing EVA waste, because the material’s chemical structure undergoes a high degree of cross-linking during the foam production process, making recycling particularly difficult. In response to this issue, INESCOP, with funding from IVACE, has launched the REVALOOP project with the aim of implementing the recovery of EVA waste by means of a continuous reactive extrusion process, which allows for increased incorporation of recycled EVA into current formulations of new products, thereby reducing the dependence on virgin raw materials for companies in the sector.
The European Union has set ambitious targets to encourage the reuse of waste materials as new raw materials. In the case of EVA, the industry lacks efficient recycling methods that deliver proven results. Current approaches to extending the material's life rely on mechanical grinding and the creation of new recyclable materials, but these methods have limitations, especially in terms of the low percentage of recovered material that can be reused.
The European Ecodesign Regulation proposes to set requirements in areas such as recycled content and high-quality recycling of products. As such, there is a pressing scientific need to develop a recycling method that meets these European requirements, given the current lack of effective techniques for EVA recycling.
To meet this challenge, INESCOP has launched the REVALOOP project, with funding from IVACE, with the aim of implementing the recovery of EVA waste by means of a continuous reactive extrusion process. This process will enable a higher percentage of recycled EVA to be incorporated into current formulations of new products, thereby reducing the industry’s dependence on virgin raw materials.
REVALOOP OBJECTIVE
The objective of the REVALOOP project is to implement a recovery process for EVA waste using a continuous reactive extrusion technique, which makes it possible to incorporate higher percentages of recycled EVA into new formulations, thereby reducing the use of virgin raw materials.
EXPECTED RESULTS
This research aims to test and validate a reactive extrusion process for EVA recycling, enabling the recovery of post-industrial EVA waste with a de-crosslinking rate of over 40%, contributing to a reduction in the carbon footprint associated with waste management.
Start date: 01/01/2024
End date: 31/12/2024
Reference: IMDEEA/2024/41
Digital leafletResults report and Dissemination report (deliverables)
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The REVALOOP project contributes to the following SDGs:
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