Infinitely Recyclable Enamine Covalent Adaptive Networks

Project Description

FLO Materials is commercializing a new class of plastics called ECANs (Enamine Covalent Adaptive Networks), which offer versatile properties and exceptional recyclability. These dynamic polymers can be tailored into composites, coatings, adhesives, fibers and rubbers for high-performance and aesthetic applications across industries. Unlike traditional thermosets, ECANs are crosslinked yet reprocessable, allowing mechanical recycling similar to thermoplastics. Their key differentiator is that they can also be chemically recycled reverting to their original monomers at low temperatures and low energy to obtain high yields and purity of recovered building blocks. This process can occur even in complex, mixed waste streams (e.g., metal, plastic, fiber, glass, and additives) without degrading adjacent components. This unique capability offers a sustainable, closed-loop solution for the fabrication of heterogenous ECAN-based products, while also enabling cleaner separation of other recycling streams.

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