Recycling of Thermoset Automotive Components

The suppliers of Sheet Molding Composite to the automotive industry recognize their responsibility to ensure that environmentally sound recycling techniques are in place for SMC as its use increases in automotive applications. To this end, automotive SMC molders and their material suppliers are investigating recycling processes which create the opportunity to produce viable products from recycled SMC.

This paper will:

• introduce recycling processes available for SMC.
• describe the preparation of scrap SMC, from the point at which discarded vehicles and scrap SMC is collected, to the point at which SMC enters the recycling process.
• describe alternative recycling processes including pyrolysis and regrinding.
• describe the equipment necessary for recycling processes.
• discuss the characteristics and structural properties of the products from recycling processes and offer potential applications for those products.
• Provide an economic overview of the pyrolysis and regrinding recycling options.
• compare recycling options with disposal options.