Polypropylene (PP) is a commodity plastic used for a variety of plastic products produced by injection moulding. It has many attractive properties, such as high toughness, low moisture absorption, good chemical resistance, cost-effectiveness and good processability. However, due to its high shrinkage rate, it is a very challenging material to produce parts with high dimensional tolerances. This challenge is even more highlighted when processing post-consumer recycled (PCR) PP, which can contain a mixture of various polyolefins and other fillers, resulting in an unpredictable crystallisation behaviour and associated warpage of the parts.
Skaza aims to tackle this challenge within the project Increace (https://increace-project.eu/), founded from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. The project Increace aims at increasing the uptake of recycled plastics in various products through innovative and interdisciplinary solutions. The project consortium consists of 18 European partners, including industry and research institutions.
The product behind the business case is our home composter Bokashi Organko. Bokashi Organko is already produced from a relatively high share of recycled PP. However, some of its components are still produced using fossil-based plastics, due to their high technical demands.
Slika: Bokashi Organko Essential on the kitchen counter with visible components
One example is the tap for discharge of fermentation liquid, which has very strict dimensional tolerances needed to prevent leakage. Within the project Increace Skaza aims to substitute a currently used fossil-based plastic for a more sustainable material, namely PCR PP. This goal will be achieved by a close collaboration of several stakeholders in the value chain, implementing innovative solutions in plastics recycling and processing.
Slika 2: Draining of bokashi liquid through the plastic tap
By substituting the fossil-based plastic for a PCR PP, the Bokashi Organko composter will benefit from a decreased environmental footprint, realised by less energy and emissions intense material and part production as well as more favourable end-of-life options. Besides, the new knowledge acquired by working on this challenge with the close collaboration with leading European institutions on plastics recycling and processing will enable Skaza to tackle even more demanding future projects dealing with the implementation of recycled materials into high value-added applications.
