Uplift360spatent-pending process breaks down Kevlar and other composites without compromising the integrity of the fibres and resins.
These raw materials can then be reused to make new products.
Its a game-changer, Sam Staincliffe, Uplift360s co-founder and CTO, told TNW in an interview.
It means we can lower costs and recycle a wide range of advanced materials without the harmful impacts.
The process can also break down carbon fibre and glass fibre.
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More specifically, para-aramid fibres aka Kevlar.
DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar in 1965.
Today, Kevlar vests are incinerated after around 5 years of use.
They are never recycled.
Thats partly because traditional recycling methods arent up to the task.
Governments also dont want body armour ending up in the wrong hands.
Either way, its a big sustainability problem.
Burning Kevlar also doesnt make economic sense.Para-aramid fibres cost 85 times as much per weight as steel.
A single vest can cost up to3000.
This makes Kevlar waste pretty darn valuable.
It also wants to cut reliance on foreign powers for key materials.
The defence industry in the UK and Europe has a pretty fragile supply chain, said Staincliffe.
Recycling and reusing isnt just about sustainability, its also a matter of national security.
Uplift360 is already trialling its technology withDuPontandTeijin, a Japanese company specialising in high-performance fibres.
The aim is to build recycling facilities at these firms factories.
The plants will take in old products and recycle them for reuse to make new ones.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
