Beschreibung
Polyethylene boasts a wide array of applications and a substantial contribution to waste generation. This study examines the mechanical recycling of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) foams from a technical and ecological perspective. Different approaches for XLPE foam pre-treatment were examined for processability and mechanical and morphological properties. A resulting process flow for mechanical recycling by using the cross-linked foams as filler in a PE regranulate to improve its properties is selected from the approaches. A simplified process approach is developed where different foam types are combined with each other according to a companies’ waste amounts. The approach is also subjected to a life cycle assessment to explore the possible environmental impacts. It was found that some of the foams can be combined in the extrusion process based on similar properties and, depending on the application, lead to improved mechanical properties in a matrix, when used as a filler. Also, environmental impacts can be reduced when a virgin material can substituted to a certain amount.
