Valorization of polyurethane granules and powders in cement materials
Capacity
Project context
As part of a process to develop materials from recycling, the study firm Efficacy requested Capacity to study the integration of polyurethane granules and powders into cement-based materials for the construction sector.
The aim of the project was to explore the technical feasibility of innovative, non-market formulations at this stage, combining a cement matrix with the extruded granules of recycled polyurethane.
-
Project period: 2019 – 2020
-
Positioning: Exploratory research
-
Partners involved:
-
Capacity
-
GeM Laboratory (Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering) – Nantes University
-
Efficacy (client company)
-
-
Targeted areas of application:
-
Insulating hats for the rehabilitation of the existing structure
-
Potential applications in the naval sector
-
-
Environmental Issues: Promotion of polyurethane waste and partial substitution of natural aggregates
Scientific and technical approach
The Capabilities teams, in collaboration with the GeM laboratory at Nantes University, have conducted a structured approach in several stages:
1. Analysis of existing
The work began with an in-depth analysis of the solutions available on the market and in the scientific literature. This phase confirmed the absence of an existing technical solution combining extruded pellets of recycled polyurethane and cement matrix.
2. Development and optimization of formulations
Several formulations incorporating polyurethane powders and granules were developed and developed in the laboratory.
3. Experimental test campaigns
The formulations were subjected to a series of comparative tests, including:
- Characterization of fresh material (maniability)
- Characterization of hardened material (compression resistance – 3-point bending, thermal properties removal)
The results were compared with those of reference concrete formulations, with known performance.
4. Analysis of results and selection of solutions
The tests led to the exclusion of polyurethane powder formulations, which were considered unsatisfactory by the criteria studied. On the other hand, a formulation based on polyurethane granules was retained and then optimized.
Results and deliverables
Following the project, an optimized formulation incorporating recycled polyurethane granules was validated. This formulation resulted in the manufacture of several prototypes of building productsdelivered to EffiCité.
The work demonstrated the technical feasibility of the approach and opened up concrete perspectives for the development of innovative insulating materials.
Environmental approach and prospects
The project is fully consistent with acircular economyby promoting the recovery of polyurethane waste by integrating it into building materials.
The approach is based on the partial substitution of natural aggregates by recycled aggregates, thus contributing to the reduction of the environmental footprint of cement materials.
The results achieved provide a solid basis for further development in applied R&D and ultimately for industrialization of innovative solutions in the construction sector.
