Project code: 2021-1.1.4-GYORSÍTÓSÁV-2022-00030
Project title: Development of recycled ground tire rubber-containing thermoplastic elastomer product range
Name of applicant: PolymerOn Ltd.
Amount of awarded funds: 199.988.769 Ft
Funding intensity: 71,6%
Funding organization: National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDI Office, Hungary)
Duration of project: 01.12.2022 – 30.11.2025
Content of the application:
The goal of the project is to develop a polyolefin-based thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) type thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) family whose properties approximate the properties of similar types of TPVs currently available on the market, but will be available at a more favorable price. The more favorable price is due to the fact that at least 30 wt% of the the rubber phase of the TPV is ground tyre rubber (GTR) made from used tires. This represents an excellent solution for the value-added recycling of used tires. For the rubber mixture with suitable mechanical characteristics, viscosity and curing kinetics must be produced from the solely or partly from devulcanized (technology development) ground rubber (recipe development) for the production technology of TPV.

The result of our project is a commercially available TPE product line. Its product types include TPEs suitable for injection molding and extrusion, with various Shore A hardnesses, as well as TPEs in which the thermoplastic polymer is partially or completely replaced with recycled polyolefin regranulate. We analyze in detail the processability of the materials developed, with particular attention to injection molding, thereby providing considerable support to our future customers. We prepare the detailed technical data sheets of the products, obtain the necessary certifications, conduct product production tests with our cooperating partners, so that by the end of the project, a ready-to-market product line is produced. In the course of the project, we develop and then bring to the market materials that contain a significant proportion of recycled material from the circular economy, and also, the material remains recyclable after use.
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