Recycled glass fiber from waste solar panel cover glass

YOSUKE NUKUI (NITTO BOSEKI CO., LTD.)

In recent years, there is a strong demand for the materials used in automotive to reduce the environmental impact (CFP reduction, recycling), and glass fiber used in fiber-reinforced plastic is also required to contribute to this demand. In this research, we report the recycled glass fiber using waste solar panel glass, which is expected to be disposed of in large quantities domestically in the future.

Analysis of Usage History and Soiling Degradation of PCR Seatbelt Webbing for Closed-Loop Recycling (2th report)

TAIKI SHIGA･MASATOSHI KOBAYASHI･TAKERU FUKUDA (Honda R&D)

In the first report of this study, we demonstrated that recycling ELV PCR into recycled materials using methods tailored to quality ensures stable recycled material quality. In the second report, we analyzed the soiling and degradation of PCR seatbelts used for approximately 15 years, classified the affected areas based on usage time, operating temperature, and solar radiation, and identified foreign substances causing quality deterioration.

Development of Recycled Carbon Fiber-Reinforced SMC for Maximizing Economic Efficiency

Kyeong-Bae Seo (Hyundai Motor)･Wanhin Kim (Kolon Industries)･Younglae Lee (Korea Composite)･Dong Jun Lee･Sunguk Seo･Kyungju Nam･Sang Yoon Park･Sangsun Park (Hyundai Motor)

The growing emphasis on carbon emission reduction has accelerated interest in recycling automotive components and incorporating renewable materials. Carbon fibers (CFs), renowned for their high strength-to-weight ratio, are central to this study. We propose a novel recycling approach utilizing superheated steam to selectively degrade the resin matrix while preserving the integrity of CFs, thereby producing high-quality recycled carbon fibers (rCFs). The recovered fibers were characterized and subsequently applied in sheet molding compounds (SMCs). Experimental results indicate that residual resin content and fiber length significantly influence interfacial bonding and mechanical performance. Notably, rCF-SMCs containing 1 wt% residual resin and 60 mm fiber length exhibited mechanical properties comparable to those of virgin CF-SMCs. These findings demonstrate the potential of rCF-based composites for automotive applications, contributing to enhanced sustainability and waste reduction.

Battery recycling technologies and end-of-life material recovery in Europe

Hadi Moztarzadeh (Advanced Propulsion Centre UK)

The rapid scale-up of electric vehicle (EV) production is driving unprecedented demand for cathode active materials (CAM). This paper analyses how battery recycling technologies can support Europe's CAM supply by modelling end-of-life (EoL) battery recovery to 2040. A bottom-up model simulates EoL flows based on EV sales, pack lifetimes and chemistry shifts. The study also considers black mass availability from other sources like Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Emerging recycling technologies are benchmarked to estimate secondary outputs of critical materials. Results show that high-efficiency hydrometallurgical process could supply a meaningful share of Europe's CAM precursor demand by mid to late-2030s, highlighting key technology gaps and the need for scaling recycling capacity to meet the requirements from emerging regulatory frameworks.

Development of SiOx Hard Coatings on Injection-Molded Transparent Polymers using Plasma CVD

Kazuhiro Fukada (Shibaura Machine)

A crack-free, high-hardness SiOx hard coating was fabricated on polycarbonate substrates using plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A laminated structure composed of a silicone resin adhesion layer and a silica surface layer provided both excellent adhesion and optical transparency. However, delamination occurred under hot-water immersion. To address this, interfacial stability was analyzed using the Hamaker constant derived from Lifshitz theory. Introducing a Nb₂O₅ interlayer improved the thermodynamic stability of the interface, preventing delamination even after 250 hours in 60°C water. This approach enables rational design of durable coatings for automotive applications.

Development of Evaporation and Drying Modeling Techniques for High-Performance Coating Materials

Yuki Nakanishi (Mazda)

Polymer–inorganic composite thermal management materials typically exhibit high filler loading, and the solvent dynamics during the coating's drying phase exert a critical influence on both desired performance and long-term durability. In this study, we developed a predictive model capable of accurately simulating solvent behavior within the film throughout the drying process, thereby enabling the efficient identification of material formulations and processing methodologies that satisfy targeted performance criteria. This report details the model architecture and presents representative application cases.

Development of Internal Structure Analysis Technology for Controlling Millimeter-Wave Permeability in Coating Films

Hiroto Matsui (Mazda)

We are advancing the development of high-performance bumper material technology that can achieve both electromagnetic wave permeability and design aesthetics at a high level. As part of this effort, we have established an automated analysis technology for the micro-scale three-dimensional filler structure within the coating film. This technology aims to elucidate the factors influencing electromagnetic wave permeability in bumper coatings and to efficiently determine the material and process conditions that meet the target performance.