UNSW collaborates with Siemens on epoxy recycling research

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Siemens have signed a research agreement to assess the feasibility and economic viability of recycling epoxy mouldings with embedded metallic components that are used in Siemens manufactured medium voltage switchgear.

The agreement will focus on moving switchgear recycling towards a circular model where materials are recovered to become feedstock for remanufacturing and other uses.

Currently, there are limited recycling capabilities for epoxy mould components, with most approaches focused on retrieving the embedded copper while the rest of the epoxy materials are sent to landfill.

Epoxy moulding recycling is a complicated process as each moulding is specific to the products it has been designed for, with its own chemical and metallic composition.

This study will explore the application of novel microrecycling science and technology developed by the UNSW Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre.

The SMaRT Centre can recover and reform materials from complex waste streams and has commercialised some of its MICROfactorie Technologies. In this project, SMaRT will examine the recycling potential of this critical material used in energy infrastructure, representing a step towards creating more sustainable solutions for high-performance composites.

The team aims to develop methods to recover the epoxy materials with the aim of creating reusability pathways for raw resin components.

The study will also explore the potential economic value of these recovered materials, and examine environmental impacts incurred through the process as part of a life-cycle assessment. The findings will provide a foundation for future research and the potential development of an industrial-scale recycling plant for this type of waste.

“The rapid energy transition and increasing demand for electricity over the last few decades has in turn led to unprecedented demand for medium voltage switchgear,” said Brett Watson, head of Electrification and Automation business for Siemens in Australia and New Zealand. “As we look at long-term business, economic and societal sustainability and how we decarbonise, it’s clear that we need to explore every avenue, especially when it comes to decarbonisation. At the same time, we need to be mindful of avoiding the unintended consequences of energy transition. Enabling a circular economy that explores how we minimise waste and increase resource efficiency is a critical part of this.

“However, we can’t do it alone. We need an ecosystem of like-minded organisations willing to push the boundaries, map for a net zero future and look at long-term impact beyond just reducing the 1% of carbon emissions Australia is responsible for. It’s great to have the UNSW SMaRT Centre, a university research centre recognised worldwide for its work on sustainable materials, lead this project to explore the complex nuances of epoxy moulding recycling. It’s only as a collaborative that we can help drive change.”

The research was funded through a fellowship awarded to Dr Rumana Hossain, a lecturer and researcher at the UNSW SMaRT Centre in Sydney, under the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) program — a government-supported and part-funded initiative by UNSW and the University of Newcastle.

Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Director of the UNSW SMaRT Centre, welcomed the collaboration.

“Using ‘waste as a resource’ to build the components and infrastructure needed to electrify our communities is really the only effective safe and sustainable solution to create a truly sustainable future,” Sahajwalla said. “Developing green materials opportunities like this for Australia would help to create new jobs, along with other economic, social and environmental benefits.

“It gives me great pride to lead a team of people doing valuable research into materials circularity, helping breathe new life into old products and waste that would otherwise go into landfills. The work we do here is not just significant for Australia in our fight to decarbonise and become more resource efficient, but also helps steer global innovation. Siemens is a global leader in switchgear technology, so it only seems fitting that we work with them to explore the potential of reusing the materials in epoxy mouldings. It’s great to collaborate with a company that is genuinely interested in scaling sustainable impact for future generations.”

Image caption (left to right): Dr Rumana Hossein (UNSW), Brett Watson (Siemens) and Professor Veena Sahajwalla (UNSW).