SUNRISE is the acronym for the project title: „Multisensor sorting tools in a circular economy approach for the efficient recycling of PVB interlayer material in high-quality products from laminated glass construction and demolition wastes”.

The long-term aim of the project is to increase the collection and treatment of laminated glass, improving the separation of glass from polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and thereby, increasing the fractions and quality of PVB for reuse. In order to achieve this, SUNRISE will demonstrate the applicability of a recycling process for PVB from laminated glass where the PVB input is sorted according to its optical quality and composition. This ensures a consistent quality of the different batches of recycled PVB (re-PVB) which will allow a functional recycling and higher quality of the final polymer. The re-PVB can then be reused as interlayer material in laminated glass, for photovoltaic applications, carpet production, peelable coatings and in batteries. See also the SUNRISE video on You Tube: https://youtu.be/w9ZNNXTRDvk.

The project will introduce an innovative multisensor sorting tool based on industrial in-line techniques (Raman, IRS, fluorescence and optical spectroscopy) making use of optimised tailored hardware and AI algorithms which will allow optimal classification of laminated glass according to composition and degradation. Subsequently, an innovative patented mechano-chemical process will allow the efficient separation of glass from PVB avoiding degradation of the polymer. The re-PVB will be made available in the form of flakes, dispersions and pellets for the various reuse applications.

The project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme with ~ 8 million € (the total budget is nearly 9.5 million €) under the topic „Raw materials innovation for the circular economy: sustainable processing, reuse, recycling and recovery schemes”. The project consortium consist of 20 partners from eight European countries (Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, United Kingdom). LUREDERRA, Spain, coordinates the project. DIN is responsible for the standardization activities within the consortium. This includes the following tasks: compilation of an overview of published standards relevant for SUNRISE, development of a standardization strategy for the SUNRISE project including the analysis of standardisation gaps, the identification of needs for new or revised standards, and, where appropriate, the drafting of CEN Workshop Agreements (CWA) with the project partners and any interested experts.

The project duration is 42 months starting on 1st June 2021 and thus, ending on 30th November 2024. Up-to-date information regarding the project status and progress are published regularly on the SUNRISE webseite (https://sunrise-project.eu/) and in the SUNRISE LinkedIn group (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunrise-project/).

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 958243.