Efficient recycling through surface technologies

Recycling in automotive manufacturing is increasingly gaining in importance due to the fact that resource scarcity, strict environmental regulations and the necessity to reduce CO₂ emissions are presenting the industry with new challenges. Modern vehicles are made from materials that are becoming more and more complex – in particular composite materials, which reduce weight, increase efficiency and enable new combinations of properties. It is, however, precisely this diversity of materials that makes recycling difficult, as different materials are often firmly and durably bonded to one another. 

Separation processes for efficient recycling

This is where innovative surface technologies come into play: With the aid of special separation processes, composite materials can be selectively broken down, thereby enabling valuable raw materials to be recovered efficiently. Laser and plasma technologies can specifically remove coatings, for example to prepare plastic components for processing, repair or recycling of the raw materials. In addition, chemical and mechanical processes make it possible to remove coatings without damaging the base material. 

A further approach is so-called “debonding on demand”, in which targeted surface modifications enable material composites to be designed in such a way that they can be specifically detached as required - a technology that will make future Re-X processes considerably easier. These and other solutions from the Fraunhofer IST provide a decisive contribution towards a circular economy in automotive construction, reduce material losses, and enable enhanced sustainability in production processes.