Improving the fate of Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) waste via the identification of suitable end markets for recycled cellulosic fibres and the introduction of fibre cleaning techniques.

通过确定再生纤维素纤维的合适终端市场和引入纤维清洁技术，改善吸收性卫生产品 (AHP) 废物的命运。

• 批准号: 700158
• 金额: $ 3.19万
• 依托单位: KNOWASTE LIMITED
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: GRD Proof of Market
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2012 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=700158
• 关键词: Improving; fate; Absorbent; Hygiene; Product

In 2011, Knowaste became the UK's first company to recycle absorbent hygiene products(AHPs) when it opened an innovative treatment facility in West Bromwich. When full-scaleoperation is reached, the plant will be able to handle 36k tons of commercially derived wasteAHPs per year.AHPs include disposable nappies, adult incontinence products and feminine hygiene products.Designed for comfort and protection, AHPs consist of several materials - fibres to absorbmoisture, super absorbent polymers (SAP) to retain moisture and plastic membranes and tabsto keep the user dry and secure.Knowaste's patented processes allow for the separation of these constituent materials inpreparation for recycling, offering significant sustainability advantages over the currentlyemployed method for disposal - land filling. Although the products can be incinerated, thehigh moisture content makes AHPs an undesirable feedstock for this disposal method (dewateringpre-treatments would be required).Around 750k tons of the UK's 1.2 million tons of AHP waste generated yearly, comes fromthe domestic (including NHS) sector. Knowaste wishes to expand on a regional basis toaccommodate this material stream as well as handling a greater volume of commercial waste.For the expansion programme to make commercial sense and have minimal environmentalimpact, local markets for incoming waste must be mapped to avoid excess transportation ofmaterials. Local and high value outlets for the company's cellulosic fibre recyclate must alsobe identified. Optimal geographical locations for new plants can then be deduced. This proofof market project will address these issues.

2011 年，Knowaste 在西布罗姆维奇开设了一家创新处理设施，成为英国第一家回收吸收性卫生用品 (AHP) 的公司。当达到全面运营时，该工厂每年将能够处理 3.6 万吨商业衍生废物 AHP。AHP 包括一次性尿布、成人失禁用品和女性卫生用品。AHP 专为舒适和保护而设计，由多种材料组成：吸收水分的纤维、保持水分的高吸水性聚合物 (SAP) 以及保持水分的塑料膜和标签。 Knowaste 的专利工艺可以分离这些组成材料，为回收做准备，与目前采用的处置方法（填埋）相比，具有显着的可持续性优势。虽然产品可以焚烧，但高水分含量使得 AHP 不适合这种处理方法的原料（需要脱水预处理）。英国每年产生 120 万吨 AHP 废物，其中约 75 万吨来自国内（包括 NHS）部门。 Knowaste 希望在区域范围内进行扩张，以适应这种物料流并处理更多的商业废物。为了使扩张计划具有商业意义并最大限度地减少对环境的影响，必须绘制当地废物传入市场的地图，以避免材料的过度运输。还必须确定公司纤维素纤维回收的本地和高价值出口。然后可以推断出新工厂的最佳地理位置。这个市场证明项目将解决这些问题。