Recycling

Correctly recycling obsolete refrigeration devices plays an important role in environmental and climate protection efforts. Recycling plants are subject to regular audits to ensure their compliance with strict environmental regulations. However, the collection of audit-related data is a challenging and time-consuming task, as it is usually done manually and is prone to errors. One solution for more sustainable and efficient monitoring is to automate digital data collection using sensors and artificial intelligence. This enables a direct estimate of the expected level of pollutants. This paves the way for continuous performance monitoring and efficient management of refrigeration appliance recycling plants.

In additive manufacturing – which is also known as 3D printing – plastic waste is produced, for example in the form of required support structures or faulty prints. One option for resource recirculation in additive manufacturing is direct use in a pellet 3D printer that incorporates fused granulate fabrication (FGF). The elimination of the filament production process step reduces the manufacturing time and the energy required for recirculation.

The supply with critical raw materials (CRM) is one of the most urgent future tasks for the society. In order to achieve prioritization scientific studies were conducted, and the European commission founded the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials (EIP). The aim is to form networks among the relevant stakeholders in this societal area and to foster targeted actions to bundle the optimal technical know-ledge and capabilities of the European Union as well as to develop the required technologies for the exploitation or substitution of CRM. Distinct work packages and measures were decided in a so-called strategic implementation plan (SIP), which is going to be implemented until the year 2020 and is dedicated to lead the EU to technology leadership in this area of CRM supply. An important aspect of the EIP on Raw Materials is communication, regular mutual exchange of knowledge and opinions of the stakeholder and the formation of information platforms, which will play a key role ...

New legal regulations require subsequent organisational and structural changes within the field of recycling complex discarded products (electronic scrap, end-of-life vehicles). Horizontal networks of small and medium sized companies are regarded to be especially suited for the resulting tasks. However, analyses of existing networks show a high diversity of company and network types. Therefore, empirical studies were carried out with the goal of determining characteristics, targets, and measures of existing recycling networks.