Gabriela

Holistic processing of plastic recycling paths for resource-efficient and recyclable lightweight battery housings

Project logo.

The Gabriela joint project is investigating the recyclability of pentatonic high-voltage battery housings from automotive supplier Kautex Textron. Plastic recyclate proportions of up to 100% are being evaluated. New, adaptive recycling technologies (e.g. the physical recycling) are used to enable a high recyclate quality. The project is investigating the entire life cycle of a fibre-reinforced plastic battery housing, from material production to initial processing, ageing in use and reprocessing through to reuse in the same component. Industrial partners from all stages of the value chain and three universities are participating in this innovative project in order to maximise the potential of the new recycling paths.

The focus of the ILK is on investigating the influence of the use phase and the recycling scenarios in the cycle on the material properties of the fibre composite. To this end, the use phase is modelled in the project by accelerated ageing on a pilot plant scale. The properties of the material are determined at all stages of the mapped life cycles using mechanical and physical testing methods. The aim is to create material maps based on the material history by analysing and describing material degradation. Building on this, optimisation strategies in the recycling process will also be developed to enable a high proportion of recycled material in new products with high quality in the mobility sector.

Overview with various boxes — Project Gabriela process chain, project structure and allocation of tasks.

Period

01.07.2022–30.06.2025

Project partners

Funding

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and ClimateAction (BMWK): Technology Transfer Programme Lightweight Construction (TTP LB)
Funding code: 03LB3074F