Evonik joins EU ReProSolar research project and participates in PV module recycling process development

Evonik recently announced its participation in the EU ReProSolar research project, which aims to develop an efficient and special process for recycling end-of-life photovoltaic modules
.
Among them, Veolia Germany is responsible for project management, and Evonik cooperates with partners and enterprises in the PV module recycling value chain to successfully separate all components of PV modules for the first time
.
As a result, materials such as pure silicon, silver, glass, etc.
can be used again in the manufacturing industry
.
The European Union, through the EIT Raw Materials Department, has provided financial support for the project in a total of 4.
8 million euros
.
The impact of global warming cannot be denied
.
To reduce carbon dioxide emissions and protect precious resources, we must act now
.
It is speculated that the use of renewable energy and measures to improve energy efficiency may be expected to complete 90% of the goal of phasing out fossil fuels
.
In the next few years, the first photovoltaic systems will reach their useful life
.

(Image credit: S.
Wildhirt/Evonik)

technical solutions

The ReProSolar research project aims to provide an innovative PV module management model to promote the transformation of the PV industry from a linear economy model to a circular economy model to reduce waste and protect valuable resources
.
"Our process is based on a novel delamination technology that enables efficient separation of photovoltaic cells from glass sheets and an innovative physicochemical process to recover all materials
.
This process eliminates the need for shredding the photovoltaic modules
.
" Veolia Environmental Services Limited Antoine Driancourt , the company's project manager , explained, "Until now, there has not been any industrial method in the world capable of recycling high-purity silver and silicon
.
With current recycling standards, this technology promises to be a huge breakthrough for the entire solar industry
.
" The project plans to explore optimization options for all segments of the PV value chain, including processing and raw material purification, waste stream management, and recycling across industries
.
As a specialty chemicals company, Evonik has a long-term commitment to leading sustainable development and the transformation of the circular economy
.
According to its Sustainability Strategy 2020+, the company wants to incorporate sustainability into its corporate management process
.
Peter Friesenhahn , Head of Evonik's Silane Business Line : "For us, responsible action and commercial success are inextricably linked
.
Our silane products offer sustainable advantages for a wide variety of applications
.
We are therefore happy to support ReProSolar project to promote the adoption of more sustainable production models for silicon products
.
”

(Image credit: A.
Schwander/Evonik)

The ReProSolar research project is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology ( EIT ) Internal Innovation Centre Raw Materials Division (ie EIT RawMaterials )
.
Project funding number 20028 will run from February 2021 to the end of January 2025
.

The process is currently undergoing feasibility testing for large-scale production at FLAXRES GmbH in Dresden, Germany and ROSI Solar
in Grenoble, France, which will conclude by the end of this year .
The project team expects that, by 2023, a single demonstration plant is expected to process 5,000 tons of discarded photovoltaic modules annually
.