ALUULA develops processes for reusing materials recycled from its end-of-life products and off-cuts
The Canadian company ALUULA announced that together with the University of British Columbia, it has developed recycling processes for ALUULA’s high-performance, UHMWPE based off-cuts and end-of-life products. ALUULA is producing new innovative, ultra strong composites materials to supersede conventional coated and laminated woven fabrics. According to the company these new dimensionally stabilized multilayer materials are the result of our innovative bonding of co-polymer layers that create composites with significant weight reduction and incredible resistance to tearing and stretching.
“Traditionally, composite materials are made by gluing together different core layers and outer films to create fabrics for use in a wide range of product applications. Using our patented fusion process, we have developed a unique way to fuse high-tech fibers and technical films together without the use of glues. This fusion process is not only creating extremely light, strong, and durable fabrics, but materials that are recycle ready “states the release.
An initial project with the Composites Research Network at UBC Vancouver established the ability to compress ALUULA material off-cuts and end-of-life products into uniform, lightweight and ultra-durable panels. What makes these panels so unique is that throughout the recycling process, the specialized UHMWPE fibres of the original ALUULA materials are kept intact. This results in extraordinary, fibre reinforced composite panels that are 10x stronger than those molded from virgin UHMWPE. From backpack back panels to low friction wear plates, the applications of these panels are suited to many tasks where strength, weight, abrasion resistance, and low friction are desirable.
“Working with UBC students on applications for these ultra-strong and ultra-durable products is proving to be invaluable as we refine our processes to ensure the recyclability of ALUULA materials.” Said ALUULA Composites Material Scientist, Samuel White.
Together with UBC Manufacturing Engineering (MANU) students, ALUULA is developing and refining applications for these panels that not only exploit the inherent light and strong material properties, but result in an end product that can be recycled again and again; lengthening the materials’ lifespan for years to come.