Development Of A Fully Recyclable Clean Floor Mat And A Process For Separating Raw Materials

The German Federal Ministry Of Economics And Energy Supports A Project For The Development Of A Fully Recyclable Clean Floor Mat And A Process For Separating Raw Materials

Clean floor mats are used in entrance areas to remove dirt and moisture from shoe soles. A high-quality textile clean floor mat, also known as a dirt-trapping mat, usually consists of a rubber backing layer, a base of polyester fabric or fleece and a pile of polyamide yarn. As the rubber backing layer is firmly attached to the top side (carrier and pile), it is not possible to separate the individual components, e.g. after the mat has been used for a long time. Re-use of the raw materials is therefore impossible. For this reason, clean floor mats are usually sent for thermal recycling and valuable raw materials are burned.

In order to prevent this, the aim of the project ‘Clean Floor Mat’ („SauberKREISLAUFmatte”) is to develop a recyclable clean floor mat. In addition, a process is being developed with which the individual raw materials can be returned to the recovered substance cycle. The qualified, safety-related and health-related properties of the new „SauberKREISLAUFmatte” must at least correspond to the state of the art.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi). This will be indicated externally in all project-related presentations by a corresponding logo (BMWi logo with funding supplement).