The key to environmentally compatible logistics lies in Research & Development. As of 2015, the European automotive industry, for example, must ensure that at least 95% of the weight of a newly commercialized vehicle is recyclable at end of its life-cycle. In order to achieve the highest possible recovery rate and to make the recovery process itself as energy-efficient as possible, it is certainly important to pay attention to good recyclability of the individual components when building vehicles.

The automotive and aerospace industries require materials that can not only be easily recycled, but are also light, resistant and durable. A vital component in the building of vehicles and aircrafts is carpeting that provides comfort, slip resistance and noise insulation in automobiles and planes. Clariant’s research has also developed innovative, sustainable products in this area.

Conventional carpets consist of an average of four layers. The upper layer, also known as the wearing surface, consists of various fiber materials such as wool, cotton or plastic. The primary backing, mainly latex, or acrylic based, to lock the fibers for abrasion resistance and durability. The secondary backing, a cushy foam, or non-woven for comfort and installation purpose, is attached on the reverse side either by water based, reactive, or hot melt systems. This layer construction of different types of polymers does not allow subsequent separation of materials and thus must be disposed of or incinerated.

In contrast, Licocene® Performance Polymers from Clariant, multifunctional polyethylene and polypropylene waxes, eliminate the disadvantages of conventional carpeting (poor recyclability) while simultaneously providing enhanced comfort features. Without compromising any mechanical or other properties, they can also reduce the weight. When used as hot melt adhesives, these polymers possess an extraordinarily high adhesive strength, bond quickly physically and hence accelerate the bonding process. Automobile or aircraft carpets produced and bonded with Licocene® hot melt adhesives can easily be almost 100% recycled as pure composites of thermoplastic materials.

Licocene® are a 100% solid system and do not require any drying equipment. The drying of water based systems is a very energy intensive process which require huge equipment and up to 10 times more energy than the melting and cooling of a hot melt system. Additionally, there is no contaminated waste water involved.

As compared to a traditionally water based textile production, Licocene® does only need a small amount of water for cooling and no energy for drying. While latex dispersions contain up to 70% of water, there is an additional need for stabilizers and preservatives for anti-mold and anti-bacteria purpose, so it needs to be depolluted after the drying process. 46 500 liters of water and 34 000 kWh of electricity can be saved during production of every one million square meter of a Licocene® reinforced textile.