The UP_PLASTICS portfolio aims to bring eco-design and circularity to the entire value chain of plastic materials for construction and eco-housing, from their design and formulation to recycling, in a circular and ecological approach.
The “UP_PLASTICS” projects portfolio proposes to develop eco-designed plastic materials for construction and building via the exploitation of:
- eco-products (natural polymers, animal biomass , etc.)
- industrial waste from buildings (PU foams, cables, PVC, end-of-life paints) using semi-industrial processing methods.
The products that will be developed as part of the projects portfolio are innovative and involve new eco-designed plastic materials that may emit unexpected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (residual monomers, synthetic by-products, etc.) and potentially harmful ones. It may therefore be necessary to limit them and, if possible, eliminate them completely. Certech’s tasks will be to investigate these aspects of emissions and odors and, where appropriate, propose solutions.
Combining its skills in air sampling and analysis with its know-how in material science, Certech has developed leading edge expertise in assessing and managing gaseous emissions produced by materials.
Certech competences and services include:
- Evaluation of the odours and chemicals (VOC, fogging), particles or microbiological compounds emitted by materials, based on the most recent standards.
- Migration tests and development of barrier materials.
- Identification of contaminants such as NIAS (Non Intentionally Added Substances)
- Simulation of the service-life conditions of materials (test under controlled conditions: emission chamber, emission cell).
- Methods adaptation, customers-specific tests or development of customised tests (e.g. simulation of compounding conditions).
- Chemicals risk assessment on health.
- Selection of low odour and low emission material complying with the latest regulations.
- Remediation: formulation of less odorous and less emissive products and/or by using innovative processes (dry air degassing, devolatilisation and stripping)
- Support to raw material suppliers and equipment manufacturers to develop products meeting the required new specifications
- Technology and regulatory watch
