Thermoplastic elastomers from recycled polyolefins and tires (HERO)

Project summary

Specific innovation objectives and results: Electron beam technology is assessed for sorting of polyolefin mixtures and surface activation of rubber powder at TRL 5. Surface activated rubber powder filled recycled PE and/or PP will be produced. Rationale / Needs to be addressed: The global polymeric waste has doubled to 353 million tons between 2000 and 2019. Only 9 % of polymeric waste was recycled. Highly efficient recycling processes and markets for products made from recycled polymeric waste are required for enhanced recycling rates. Potential application: Surface activated rubber powder filled recycled PE and/or PP can be used for applications in transportation, construction, packaging etc. Impact and potential benefits: HERO will strengthen the production of products from recycled polymeric waste based on “design from and for recycling”. Potential benefits are spreading knowledge for efficient recycling methods, improving innovation capacity, and formation of European partnerships.

Project results

Project-related publications

1. 
   Mészáros L., Kiss L., Constantinescu D., Harre K., Gohs U., Stelescu M.: Recycling of waste tyre rubber containing natural rubber with the aid of ionising radiation. in 'Third International Conference on Applications of Radiation Science and Technology, #ICARST2025 Vienna, Austria. 2025.04.07-2025.04.11.,52-52 (2025)
2. 
   Zeumer R., Gohs U., Harre K., Mészáros L.: Life cycle assessment for thermoplastic elastomers based on electron beam-assisted recycling of polyolefin and rubber waste. in 'Third International Conference on Applications of Radiation Science and Technology, #ICARST2025 Vienna, Austria. 2025.04.07.-2025.04.11,124-124 (2025)
3. 
   Kiss L., Molnár M. J., Mészáros L.: Improving the mechanical properties of vulcanizates containing ground tire rubber: Recipe optimization with the Taguchi method. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 35, e6389/1-e6389/10 (2024) 10.1002/pat.6389 IF=3.1 Q2
4. 
   Kiss L., Berényi A. E., Németh M., Tegze A., Homlok R., Takács E., Mészáros L.: Enhanced surface activation of ground tire rubber via the radiolysis of water for effective rubber recycling. Heliyon, 10, e37454/1-e37454/11 (2024) 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37454 IF=3.4 Q1