Technological Approaches for Material Management of Polymers containing Flame Retardants

A technological approach for the recovery of engineering polymers from waste electrical and electronic products is presented. Using telephones with an ABS housing as a starting point, a process has been developed that uses proven technical components for mechanical and solvent treatment along with polymer compounding. The goal to generate a marketable polymer product which is compliant with legal and technical requirements was reached fully. Research focus was laid on polymer purification to yield sufficient mechanical properties and on process development for flame retardant removal to meet RoHS requirements.