Dr Ali Hadigheh and Dr Yaning Wei in the lab. Image: Stefanie Zingsheim, University of Sydney.
“This is a huge opportunity,” said Dr Wei. “And not only because various modes of recycling are cost-effective and minimally impactful on the environment.”
“In an era of mounting supply chain disruptions, local recycled products can provide a more immediate product when compared to imports and create a burgeoning advanced manufacturing industry.
“While awareness of everyday consumer recycling is increasing and plastic waste is in the spotlight, Australia must urgently consider wide-scale recycling of new generation construction materials before they mount up as another waste problem and are put into the ‘too hard basket’.”
Dr Hadigheh’s team is also developing methods for the recycling of composite materials and recently patented a machine to precisely align recycled carbon fibres, so that they can be repurposed.
About the analysis
The researchers conducted life cycle analysis (LCA), cost benefit analysis (CBA) and technology readiness level (TRL) assessments of the different waste treatment methods: landfill, incineration, mechanical recycling, catalytic pyrolysis, oxidation, pyrolysis combined with oxidation, fluidised bed, solvolysis using alkali and acid solvents, and electrochemical methods.
Disclosure
The authors declare no competing interests. The research papers were both funded by ARC DECRA DE200100406: Aligned recycled carbon fibre composites for high grade structural elements. Dr Ali Hadigheh works with a range of companies to develop to recycle composite waste.