Today was the kickoff meeting of the MMAtwo project. As coordinator of MMAtwo, a European project for the recycling by depolymerisation of PMMA waste to turn it back into raw material, Heathland will be a driving force to realise closed-loop PMMA recycling through an automated process without the use of toxic by-products. As PMMA collector and recycler, it also marks Heathland’s goal to be a leader in recycing innovation.
Launched on 1st October this year, the MMAtwo consortium aims to develop a new and innovative recycling process by depolymerisation of PMMA waste, and to allow the creation of a first commercial unit soon after the end of the project (2022).
The challenge
The challenge of this project consists in converting PMMA post-industrial scraps and end-of-life waste into high quality raw material and therefore contribute to the circular economy.
Only 10% of European PMMA production is currently recycled, and the existing recycling processes tend to focus on post-industrial scraps. However, the main share of PMMA waste stream concerns end-of-life products that are either exported, landfilled, or incinerated.
PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), or acrylic glass, typically is a material that is an ideal fit for the recycling and circularity principle, as its unique feature allows it to be regenerated into its original monomer that can then be reintroduced into the production process for new resins.
The project
This four-year European project comprises 13 partners from six different countries representing all the stages of the PMMA value chain. It is supported by a €6.6 M funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program centered on three priorities: scientific excellence, industrial primacy, and societal issues.
MMAtwo is being coordinated by HEATHLAND, and its executive committee chaired by Arkema (represented by Jean-Luc Dubois, Scientific Director). The kick-off meeting for this project is being held in Brussels on Thursday 25 October in the presence of all partners.