INDUSTRIAL NETWORKING FOR COMPETITIVENESS

The automotive industry is making increasing use of polymers and polymer-based composites. This case study concerns the recycling of an automotive component made from a polymer composite. 

The radiator end-cap of an automotive radiator sub-assembly is currently made from glass fibre-reinforced polyamide 66 (PA 66+GF), which is particularly suitable for under-the-bormet applications as it maintains high stiffness and strength at high temperatures. For the radiators mounted in cars made by the Volvo Car Corporation, the raw material is supplied by DuPont de Nemours to the component producer, AB Konstruktions-Bakelit. This company then supplies the finished component to the sub-assembly producer which then ships the finished assembly to Volvo. 

Before studying in detail the operations necessary for end-cap recycling, the current situation within the automotive industry regarding recycling will be discussed. The environmental policy of each of the companies concerned will be presented. 

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