Separating orange plastic fragments from automotive shredder residue by an optical sorter

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for recycling an automotive shredder residue comprising shredding a vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts to produce the automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments, and separating the orange plastic fragments from the automotive shredder residue by an optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments. The invention also relates to a fraction of an automotive shredder residue comprising at least 70 wt% of orange plastic fragments; and to a use of an automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments for recycling the orange plastic fragments.

Description

Separating orange plastic fragments from automotive shredder residue by an optical sorterThe present invention relates to a method for recycling an automotive shredder residue comprising shredding a vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts to produce the automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments, and separating the orange plastic fragments from the automotive shredder residue by an optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments. The invention also relates to a fraction of an automotive shredder residue comprising at least 70 wt% of orange plastic fragments; and to a use of an automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments for recycling the orange plastic fragments.The recycling of automotive shredder residue (ASR) presents several challenges that hinder its efficient and effective recycling. ASR is usually a complex mixture of materials, including metals, plastics, rubber, glass, and various organic and inorganic compounds. The diverse composition makes it difficult to separate and recover individual components, leading to suboptimal recycling rates. Without proper separation, valuable resources remain trapped within the ASR, limiting their recycling. Addressing these problems is crucial to enhance the recycling of ASR and maximize its potential as a valuable resource. Developing effective methods and systems that can efficiently separate and recover the diverse components of ASR, while safely managing and disposing of hazardous substances, will play a vital role in promoting a sustainable and circular economy.EP0692356 suggests to recycle automotive shredder residue by preparing a composite material comprising ASR and a virgin polymer.Vijayan, S.K.; Kibria, M.A.; Uddin, M.H.; Bhattacharya, S. “Pretreatment of Automotive Shredder Residues, Their Chemical Characterisation, and Pyrolysis Kinetics." Sustainability 2021 , 13, 10549 suggests to recycle automotive shredder residue by pyrolysis.Ezzat El Halabi, Mike Third, and Matthew Doolan “Machine-based dismantling of end of life vehicles: A life cycle perspective" Procedia, 29 (2015) 651-655 suggest to recycle automotive shredder residue by machine based dismantling.Juliana Argente Gaetano, Valdir Schalch, Javier Mazariegos Pablos “Characterization and recycling of the fine fraction of automotive shredder residue (ASR) for concrete paving blocks production" Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy (2020) 22:835-847 suggest to recycle ASR by solidification with cement, gravel and sand for paving blocks production.Won-Seok Yang et al. “Utilization of automobile shredder residue (ASR) as a reducing agent for the recovery of black copper1’ Korean J. Chem. Eng., 33(4), 1267-1277 (2016) suggests to recycle ASR by using it instead of lump coal as a reducing agent in the copper production.Objects of the present invention was to separate a polymer fraction, preferably a polyamide fraction, which is useful for chemical recycling, such as depolymerization. The separation method should be cheap and reliable. Further object was to reduce the concentration of flame retardants in the ASR during recycling processes.The object was achieved by a method for recycling an automotive shredder residue comprising a) shredding a vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts to obtain an automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments, and b) separating the orange plastic fragments from the automotive shredder residue by an optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments.The object was also achieved by a fraction of an automotive shredder residue comprising at least 70 wt% of orange plastic fragments.The object was also achieved by a use of an automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments for recycling the orange plastic fragments.The automotive shredder residue may be obtainable, preferably is obtained, by shredding vehicles. Preferably, the automotive shredder residue is obtainable by depollution of the vehicles, dismantling the vehicles, shredding the vehicles, and separating metal particles from the shredded vehicles.The vehicles are typically end-of-life vehicles (also called “ELV”), which are typically at least 15 years old. The vehicles can be passenger cars, light-duty or heavy-duty trucks, motorbikes, a utility vehicle, an agricultural vehicle, or recreational vehicles.Preferably, the vehicle is an electric vehicle, preferably a fully electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle.Suitable electric vehicles are fully electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. An electric vehicle usually comprises a rotary electric machine and an electric power storage deviceconfigured to store electric power that is used to drive the rotary electric machine. A hybrid electric vehicle usually travels by using power of a rotary electric machine and a combustion engine.Suitable hybrid electric vehicles are full hybrid (also called strong hybrid), plug-in hybrid (also called PHEV) electric vehicles, or range extended electric vehicles (also called REEV). A full hybrid electric vehicle is typically a vehicle that can run only on a combustion engine, only on an electric motor, or a combination of both. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is typically a hybrid electric vehicle with rechargeable batteries that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source.Suitable electric vehicles are battery electric vehicles (also called BEV) or fuel cell electric vehicles. A BEV is typically a type of electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, and uses electric motors and motor controllers instead of internal combustion engines for propulsion. A fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is typically a type of electric vehicle which uses a fuel cell, instead of a battery, or in combination with a battery or supercapacitor, to power its on-board rotary electric machine. Fuel cells in vehicles generate electricity to power the motor, generally using oxygen from the air and compressed hydrogen.In depollution of vehicles hazardous liquids such as fuel, lubricating oil, coolants, brake fluids and batteries can be removed from the vehicles prior to shredding.The dismantling of vehicles may comprise selective removal of parts, such as engines, gearboxes, tires, glass and plastics, for being reused as spare parts for the second-hand market. The dismantling may also comprise the removal of larger plastic components, such as bumpers, dashboard, fluid containers for recycling the plastics separately.The ASR may comprise further waste from other sources. For examples, garbage from the last owners may remain in the trunk or interior of the vehicles. The advantage of the present process is that it can handle broadly varying compositions of the ASR.The shredding can be made with a vehicle shredder machine. Vehicle shredder machines are manufactured in different sizes. Typically, a vehicle shredder machine comprises a heavy fastturning rotor, which may revolve in a vertical or a horizontal plane and is often equipped with swinging hammers. The vehicle shredder machine tears and shreds the car hulk until its parts are reduced to fragments with a desired fragment size, such as up to 30 cm, preferably 1 mm to 15 cm. Then the fragments may pass through grids and leave the rotor housing.After shredding, the metal fragments such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal fragments can be separated from the shredded vehicles. The ferrous metal fragments can be removed by magnetic separators. The non-ferrous metal fragments can be separated from the shredded vehicles by eddy current separators, by heavy media sink / float units which separate on the basis of density, or by manual sorting. Typically, 60 - 90 wt% of the vehicle weight is metal, which can be separated from the shredded vehicle.The automotive shredder residue may represent about 10 - 40 wt%, preferably from 15 - 35, and in particular from 20 - 30 wt% of the original vehicle weight.The automotive shredder residue may comprise fragments of various polymeric vehicle parts, such as fragments of bumpers, interior panels, dashboard, cable insulation, fuel tank, electrical insulation, flexible foam seating, foam insulation panels, automotive suspension bushings, electrical potting compounds, car body parts, pillar coverings, spoilers polymer parts coated with automotive paint, wheel covers, gears, bushes, cams, bearings, weatherproof coatings, interior and exterior trims, fuel systems, gear housings, headlamp retainer, engine cover, connector housings, door handles, carburetor components, exterior mirror components, windscreen wiper components, windscreen wiper protective housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sliding roof frames, antenna cladding covers, front and rear lights, radiator grill and body exterior parts, engine covers, cylinder head covers, intake pipes, cylinder head covers, engine covers, housings for charge air coolers, charge air cooler valves.The automotive shredder residue may comprise fragments of various polymeric vehicle parts, such as fragments of- bumpers, interior panels, dashboard, cable insulation, where these fragments are often made of polypropylene;- fuel tank, electrical insulation, where these fragments are often made of polyethylene;- flexible foam seating, foam insulation panels, automotive suspension bushings, electrical potting compounds, hard plastic parts, transmission mounts, motor mounts, seals, impact foam parts, where these fragments are often made of polyurethane;- body parts, dashboards, wheel covers, where these fragments are often made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene;- gears, bushes, cams, bearings, charge air coolers, cylinder head covers, oil pans, engine cooling systems, thermostat and heater housings, exhaust systems including mufflers and housings for catalytic converters, air intake manifolds, timing chain belt front covers, where these fragments are often made of nylon 6 or nylon 6.6.;- interior and exterior trims, fuel systems, small gears, where these fragments are often made of polyoxymethylene;- wiper arm and gear housings, headlamp retainer, connector housings, where these fragments are often made of polyethylene terephthalate; and- door handles, bumpers, carburetor components, where these fragments are often made of polybutylene terephthalate.The automotive shredder residue may comprise at least 30 wt%, preferably at least 40 wt%, and in particular at least 50 wt% of the fragments of the polymeric vehicle parts.The automotive shredder residue may comprise at least 20 wt%, preferably at least 30 wt%, and in particular at least 40 wt% of the fragments of the polymeric vehicle parts, which are black polymeric vehicle parts. The black polymeric vehicle parts usually comprise carbon black pigments.The automotive shredder residue may comprise up to 15 wt%, preferably up to 10 wt%, and in particular up to 5 wt% of metal fragments, such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal particles.The automotive shredder residue may comprise up to 15 wt%, preferably up to 10 wt%, and in particular up to 5 wt% of wood and cardboard.The automotive shredder residue may comprise up to 15 wt%, preferably up to 10 wt%, and in particular up to 5 wt% of glass fragments , e.g. broken window glass fragments.The automotive shredder residue can be separated into a shredder light fraction (also called SLF) and a shredder heavy fraction (also called SHF). The separation of the SLF and the SHF can be achieved by air classification. Another air classification can be made by the rotary movement of the vehicle shredder machine may create a fanning action that can blow out the shredder light fraction, and the shredder heavy fraction may leave the vehicle shredder machine through a grid.The SLF can be present in an amount of 55 - 90 wt%, preferably 65 - 85 wt%, and in particular at 70 - 80 wt% of the automotive shredder residue. The SHF may represent the remaining amount to 100 wt%.The SHF can be present in an amount of 10 - 45 wt%, preferably 15 - 35 wt%, and in particular at 20 - 30 wt% of the automotive shredder residue. The SLF may represent the remaining amount to 100 wt%.The SLF usually contains a lower weight percentage of rubber particles than the SHF. The SLF usually contains a lower weight percentage of glass particles than the SHF. The SLF usually contains a lower weight percentage of metal particles than the SHF. The SLF usually contains a higher weight percentage of polyurethane foam particles than the SHF.The SLF usually contains a lower weight percentage of solid and sand than the SHF.Figure 1 shows a possible flow scheme with a suitable process sequence for obtaining the automotive shredder residue. Starting from the vehicles, followed by optional depollution, followed by optional dismantling, followed by shredding the vehicles, followed by optional separating the metal fragments from the shredded vehicle, then the ASR is obtained, followed by optional separation of the ASR in shredder light fraction and shredder heavy fraction, followed by the separation of the orange plastic fragments from the SLF and / or SHF, and followed by the optional recycling of the separated orange plastic fragments.The vehicle comprises orange plastic parts and black plastic parts.The orange plastic parts have usually an orange color according to RAL Classic in the range of RAL 2xxx, such as from RAL 2000 to RAL 2017, where RAL 2003 is preferred. The RAL Classic is an established color norm administered by the German RAL non-profit LLC (RAL gemeinnutzige GmbH, Frankische StraBe 7, 53229 Bonn, Germany).Suitable orange colors are (RAL number and usual name):RAL 2000 Yellow orangeRAL 2001 Red orangeRAL 2002 Blood orangeRAL 2003 Pastel orangeRAL 2004 Pure orangeRAL 2005 Luminous orangeRAL 2007 Luminous bright orangeRAL 2008 Bright red orangeRAL 2009 T raffic orangeRAL 2010 Signal orangeRAL 2011 Deep orangeRAL 2012 Salmon orangeRAL 2013 Pearl orangeRAL 2017 RAL orange.In another form the orange plastic parts may have an orange color according to Munsell in the range of 8.75R 6.0 / 11.5 to 8.75R 5.5 / 13.5, where 8.75R 5.75 / 12.5 is preferred.The vehicle may comprise at least 20 wt%, preferably at least 30 wt%, and in particular at least 40 wt% based on the total weight of the plastic parts, which are black plastic parts. The black plastic parts usually comprise carbon black pigments. The black plastic parts have usually a black color according to RAL Classic 9004, 9005, 9011 , or 9017.Suitable orange plastic parts comprise connectors (such as high-voltage connectors), charging ports, outer covering of cables, battery covers and harness for high voltage electric circuits.The orange plastic parts are usually made of plastics selected from polyamides, polybutylene terephthalate, and thermoplastic polyurethanes.Preferably, the orange plastic parts are made of plastics selected from polyamide 6 and polyamide 66, polyamide 610 and polybutylene terephthalate.Suitable polyamides comprise a thermoplastic polyamide. Preference is given to semicrystalline or amorphous polyamides with a molecular weight (weight average) of at least 5000. Preferred are aliphatic and semi-aromatic polyamides.Examples of polyamides are polyamides that derive from lactams having from 7 to 13 ring members, e.g. polycaprolactam, polycaprylolactam, and polylaurolactam, and also polyamides obtained via reaction of dicarboxylic acids with diamines.Dicarboxylic acids which may be used are alkanedicarboxylic acids having from 4 to 40, preferably from 6 to 12, in particular from 6 to 10, carbon atoms, and aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Merely as examples, those that may be mentioned here are adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedioic acid and terephthalic and / or isophthalic acid.Particularly suitable diamines are alkanediamines having from 4 to 12, in particular from 6 to 8, carbon atoms, and also m-xylylenediamine (e.g. Ultramid® X17 from BASF SE, where the molar ratio of m-xylylenediamine (MXDA) to adipic acid is 1:1), di(4-aminophenyl)methane, di(4- aminocyclohexyl)methane, 2,2-di(4-aminophenyl)propane, 2,2-di(4-aminocyclohexyl)propane, and 1,5-diamino-2-methylpentane.Preferred polyamides are polyhexamethyleneadipamide, polyhexamethylenesebacamide, and polycaprolactam, and also nylon-6 / 6, 6 copolyamides, in particular having a proportion of from 5 to 95% by weight of caprolactam units. Other suitable polyamides are obtainable from coaminoalkylnitriles, e.g. aminocapronitrile (PA 6) and adipodinitrile with hexamethylenediamine (PA 66) via what is known as direct polymerization in the presence of water. Mention may also be made of polyamides obtainable, by way of example, via condensation of 1,4-diaminobutane with adipic acid at an elevated temperature (nylon-4, 6).Other suitable examples are polyamides obtainable via copolymerization of two or more of the abovementioned monomers, and mixtures of two or more polyamides in any desired mixing ratio. Particular preference is given to mixtures of nylon-6, 6 with other polyamides, in particular nylon-6 / 6, 6 copolyamides. Other copolyamides are semiaromatic copolyamides, such as PA 6T / 6 and PA 6T / 66, where the triamine content of these is less than 0.5% by weight, preferably less than 0.3% by weight.The following list comprises suitable polyamides and the monomers comprised: AB polymers:PA 4 PyrrolidonePA 6 £-CaprolactamPA 7 EthanolactamPA 8 CaprylolactamPA 9 9-Aminopelargonic acidPA 11 11 -Aminoundecanoic acidPA 12 LaurolactamAA / BB polymers:PA 46 Tetramethylenediamine, adipic acidPA 56 Pentamethylenediamine, adipic acidPA 510 Pentamethylenediamine, sebacic acidPA 512 Pentamethylenediamine, decanedicarboxylic acidPA 66 Hexamethylenediamine, adipic acidPA 69 Hexamethylenediamine, azelaic acidPA 610 Hexamethylenediamine, sebacic acidPA 612 Hexamethylenediamine, decanedicarboxylic acidPA 613 Hexamethylenediamine, undecanedicarboxylic acidPA 1212 1 ,12-Dodecanediamine, decanedicarboxylic acidPA 1313 1 ,13-Diaminotridecane, undecanedicarboxylic acidPA 6T Hexamethylenediamine, terephthalic acidPA MXD6 m-Xylylenediamine, adipic acidPA 9T Nonamethylenediamine, terephthalic acidAA / BB polymers:PA 6I Hexamethylenediamine, isophthalic acidPA 6-3-T Trimethylhexamethylenediamine, terephthalic acidPA 6 / 6T (see PA 6 and PA 6T)PA 6 / 66 (see PA 6 and PA 66)PA 6 / 12 (see PA 6 and PA 12)PA 66 / 6 / 610 (see PA 66, PA 6 and PA 610)PA 6I / 6T, PA 6T / 6I (see PA 6I and PA 6T)PA PACM 12 Diaminodicyclohexylmethane, laurolactamPA 6I / 6T / PACM as PA 6I / 6T + diaminodicyclohexylmethanePA 6 / 6.36 Caprolactam / hexamethylenediamine, Cse-dicarboxylic acidPA 6T / 66 (see PA 6T and PA 66)PA 12 / M ACM I Laurolactam, dimethyldiaminodicyclohexylmethane, isophthalic acidPA 12 / MACMT Laurolactam, dimethyldiaminodicyclohexylmethane, terephthalic acidPA PDA-T Phenylenediamine, terephthalic acidPreferred are PA 6, PA 66, PA 6 / 66, PA 66 / 6, PA 6 / 6.36, PA 6I / 6T, PA 6T / 6I, PA 9T and PA 6T / 66. Most preferred are PA 6, PA 66 and PA 610.The orange plastic parts may comprise glass fibers. The orange plastic parts may comprise up to 60 wt%, preferably up to 50 wt%, and in particular up to 40 wt% of the glass fibers, such as 20 to 40 wt%.The orange plastic parts may comprise a flame retardant, preferably a phosphorous containing flame retardant. Suitable flame retardants are phosphorus containing flame retardants, nitrogen containing flame retardants and organohalogen flame retardants.Suitable phosphorus containing flame retardants including reactive phosphorous containing flame retardants, for example red phosphorous, tetraphenyl resorcinol diphosphite (Fyrolflex RDP, RTM, Akzo Nobel), tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulphide, triphenyl phosphate, diethyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-aminomethyl phosphonate, hydroxyalkyl esters of phosphorus acids, alkylphosphate oligomers, ammonium polyphosphate (APP), resorcinol diphosphate oligomer (RDP), phosphazene flame retardants or ethylenediamine diphosphate (EDAP).Suitable nitrogen containing flame retardants are, for example melamine-based flame retardants, isocyanurates, polyisocyanurate, esters of isocyanuric acid, like tris-(2- hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, tris(hydroxymethyl)isocyanurate, tris(3-hydroxy-n- propyl)isocyanurate, triglycidyl isocyanurate, melamine cyanurate, melamine borate, melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphate, melamine ammonium polyphosphate, melamine ammonium pyrophosphate, dimelamine phosphate, dimelamine pyrophosphate, benzoguanamine, allantoin, glycoluril, urea cyanurate, a condensation product of melamine from the series melem, melam, melon and / or a higher condensed compound or a reaction product of melamine with phosphoric acid or a mixture thereof.Suitable organohalogen flame retardants are, for example polybrominated diphenyl oxide, decabromodiphenyl oxide (DBDPO), tris[3-bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propyl] phosphate (PB 370, (RTM, FMC Corp.)), tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate, chloroalkyl phosphate esters such as tris(chloropropyl)phosphate, tris(2,3-dichloropropyl)phosphate, tris(1,3-dichloro-2- propyl)phosphate (Fyrol FR 2 (RTM I CL)), oligomeric chloroalkyl phosphate, chlorendic acid, tetrachlorophthalic acid, tetrabromophthalic acid, poly-b-chloroethyl triphosphonate mixture, tetrabromobisphenol A-bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) (PE68), brominated epoxy resin, brominated aryl esters, ethylene-bis(tetrabromophthalimide) (Saytex BT-93 (RTM, Albemarle)), bis(hexachlorocyclopentadieno) cyclooctane (Declorane Plus (RTM, Oxychem)), chlorinated paraffins, octabromodiphenyl ether, hexachlorocyclopentadiene derivatives, 1,2- bis(tribromophenoxy)ethane (FF680), tetrabromobisphenol A (Saytex RB100 (RTM, Albemarle)), ethylene bis-(dibromonorbornanedicarboximide) (Saytex BN-451 (RTM, Albemarle)), bis-(hexachlorocycloentadeno)cyclooctane, PTFE, tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate or ethylene-bis-tetrabromophthalimide. Some of the halogenated flame retardants mentioned above are routinely combined with an inorganic oxide synergist. Some of the halogentated flame retardants mentioned above can be used in combination with triaryl phosphates (such as the propylated, butylated triphenyl phosphates) and the like and I or with oligomeric aryl phosphates (such as resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate), bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), neopentylglycol bis(diphenyl phosphate)) and the like.The shredding of the vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts usually produces the automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments.The automotive shredder residue may comprise up to 20 wt%, preferably up to 10 wt%, and in particular up to 5 wt% of the orange plastic fragments, based on the total weight of the ASR.The automotive shredder residue may comprise at least to 0.01 wt%, preferably at least 0.1 wt%, and in particular at least 1 wt% of the orange plastic fragments, based on the total weight of the ASR.The automotive shredder residue may comprise up to 95 wt%, preferably up to 90 wt%, and in particular up to 80 wt% of the black plastic fragments, based on the total weight of the ASR.The automotive shredder residue may comprise at least to 3 wt%, preferably at least 10 wt%, and in particular at least 20 wt% of the black plastic fragments, based on the total weight of the ASR.The orange plastic fragments are usually obtainable by the shredding of the vehicle comprising the orange plastic parts.The orange plastic fragments may have a fragment length (e.g. at the longest dimension) of 1 mm to 20 cm, preferably 5 mm to 10 cm, and in particular 1 cm to 5 cm.The orange plastic fragments have usually the orange color according to RAL Classic in the range of RAL 2xxx, such as from RAL 2000 to RAL 2017, where RAL 2003 is preferred.The orange plastic fragments may comprise the glass fibers. The orange fragments parts may comprise up to 60 wt%, preferably up to 50 wt%, and in particular up to 40 wt% of the glass fibers, such as 20 to 40 wt%.The orange plastic fragments may comprise the flame retardant, preferably a phosphorous containing flame retardant.Between the step of shredding the vehicles to produce the automotive shredder residue and the step of separating the orange plastic fragments from the automotive shredder residue by the optical sorter further steps can made, e.g. the metal fragments such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal fragments can be separated, and the automotive shredder residue can be separated into a shredder light fraction and a shredder heavy fraction.In a preferred form the method for recycling automotive shredder residue further comprises after step a) and before step b) the step of aa) separating the metal fragments from the automotive shredder residue.In another preferred form the method for recycling automotive shredder residue further comprises after step a) and before step b) the steps of ab) separating the automotive shredder residue into a shredder light fraction and a shredder heavy fraction.In another preferred form the method for recycling automotive shredder residue further comprises after step a) and before step b) the steps of aa) separating the metal fragments from the automotive shredder residue, and ab) separating the automotive shredder residue into a shredder light fraction and a shredder heavy fraction.The steps aa) and ab) can be made in any order, or in parallel, or repeatedly.In another preferred form the method for recycling automotive shredder residue comprises a) shredding the vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts to produce automotive shredder residue comprising the mixture of orange and black plastic fragments, aa) separating the metal fragments (such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal fragments) from the ASR, ab) separating the automotive shredder residue into a shredder light fraction and a shredder heavy fraction, and b) separating the orange plastic fragments from the SLF and / or the SHF by an optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments.The orange plastic fragments are separated from the automotive shredder residue, the SLF and / or the SHF by the optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments.The term “visible light” usually refers to the light which a typical human eye can see, such as a wavelength of 380 to 750 nm.The optical sorters may recognize the color of an object, e.g. the orange color of the orange plastic fragments. Various optical sorters which use visible light to detect objects are commercially available.In general, the optical sorter comprises a feed system, an optical system, an image processing software, and a separation system.The feed system is usually adapted to spread products (e.g. the mixture of black and orange plastic fragments) into a uniform monolayer of products are presented to the optical system evenly, without clumps, at a constant velocity. The feed system can be a belt, a channel, a chute or a freefall area. The optical sorter can be a belt sorter, a channel sorter, a chute-fed sorter or a freefall sorter, where belt sorters are preferred.In a belt sorter the object to be sorted are usually conveyed along a belt and are ejected at the end of the belt after the camera has detected the color of the object. The objects may be ejected by one of some nozzles which are actuated to eject the selected objects.Belt sorters typically can only detect the color for a single side of the objects on the belt. The objects on the belt are usually provided in a single layer to allow good detection.The width of the belt in a belt sorter can be between 500 mm and 3,000 mm. The speed of the belt is usually fixed, and can be between 1 m / s and 5 m / s.The optical system can use the visible light to detect objects (e.g. the orange plastic fragments) in the feed system. The optical sorter may comprise the optical system which includes lights (e.g. a LED light) to illuminate objects and a sensor which uses visible light to capture images of the objects, which are usually presented to the optical system by the feed system. The lights and the sensors are usually housed above and / or below the flow of the objects being inspected. The optical sorters usually have a combination of lights and sensors to illuminate and capture images of the objects, and the images can be processed with the image processing software. The processed images will determine if the material should be accepted or rejected.The optical sorter can be a camera sorter (e.g. a color camera sorter, preferably a trichromatic color camera sorter), a laser sorter or a combined camera and laser sorter. The lights, cameras, lasers and laser sensors can be arranged to function with the visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments.Suitable color cameras may have a high color resolution which is capable of detecting millions of colors. Preferred color cameras are trichromatic color cameras (also called three-channel cameras) which may divide visible light into three bands, which can include red, green and / or blue. The laser sorter can be designed to operate within specific wavelengths of the visible light. Preferably, the optical sorter comprises a camera sorter.The image processing software can compare objects (e.g. the black and the orange plastic fragments) to user-defined accept / reject thresholds in order to classify the objects and actuate the separation system. The image processing software usually bases its comparison on the input from the optical system.The separation system uses usually compressed air (e.g. for smaller objects in the ASR) and / or mechanical devices (e.g. for larger products in the ASR) to pinpoints the detected objects while in-air. The separation system may deflect the detected objects (e.g. the orange plastic fragments) to remove into a reject chute while the good objects (e.g. the black plastic fragments) continue along its normal trajectory.Usually, at least 70 wt%, preferably 90 wt%, and in particular at least 95 wt% (based on the total weight of the mixture of black and orange plastic fragments) of the orange plastic fragments are separated from the mixture of orange and black plastic fragments.Usually, at least 70 wt%, preferably 90 wt%, and in particular at least 95 wt% (based on the total weight of the mixture of the automotive shredder residue sorted by the optical sorter) of the orange plastic fragments are separated from the mixture of orange and black plastic fragments.The method for the recycling automotive shredder residue may further comprising a step of recycling of the orange plastic fragments.In a preferred form, the method for recycling automotive shredder residue comprises a) shredding the vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts to produce automotive shredder residue comprising the mixture of orange and black plastic fragments, and b) separating the orange plastic fragments from the automotive shredder residue by the optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments, and c) recycling of the orange plastic fragments.In another preferred form the method for recycling automotive shredder residue comprisesa) shredding the vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts to produce automotive shredder residue comprising the mixture of orange and black plastic fragments, aa) separating the metal fragments (such as ferrous and non-ferrous metal fragments) from the ASR, ab) separating the automotive shredder residue into a shredder light fraction and a shredder heavy fraction, and b) separating the orange plastic fragments from the SLF and / or the SHF by an optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments, and c) recycling of the orange plastic fragments.The recycling of the orange plastic fragments may comprise a depolymerization of the orange plastic parts which are made of plastics selected from polyamides, polybutylene terephthalate, and thermoplastic polyurethanes. The polyamide, such as the polycaprolactam, can be depolymerized by acid or neutral hydrolysis.The fraction of the automotive shredder residue may comprising at least 70 wt%, preferably at least 90 wt%, and in particular at least 95 wt% of orange plastic fragments, which are preferably made of plastics selected from polyamides, polybutylene terephthalate, and thermoplastic polyurethanes. Preferably, the orange plastic fragments comprise a flame retardant, preferably a phosphorous containing flame retardant. Preferably, the orange plastic fragments comprise glass fibers.The invention also relates to the use of the automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments for recycling the orange plastic fragments, preferably by the method for recycling the automotive shredder residue comprising a) shredding a vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts to obtain an automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments, and b) separating the orange plastic fragments from the automotive shredder residue by an optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments.In another form the method comprises the step:- converting the orange plastic fragments obtainable by or obtained by the method according to the invention or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the method according to the invention to obtain a product PRF1.The product PRF1 may be selected from:i) building block or monomer; or ii) polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A, or polymer product, preferably polymer product A; or iii) industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound, industrial use biocide, industrial use solvent, industrial use dispersant, composition thereof or formulation thereof; or iv) agrochemical composition, agrochemical formulation auxiliary or agrochemically active ingredient; or v) active pharmaceutical ingredient or intermediate thereof, pharmaceutical excipient, animal feed additive, human food additive, dietary supplements, aroma chemical or aroma composition; or vi) aqueous polymer dispersion, preferably polyurethane or polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid polymer dispersion, emulsion, binder for paper and fiber coatings, UV-curable acrylic polymer for hot melts and coatings polyisocyanates, hyperbranched polyester polyol, polymeric dispersant for inorganic binder compositions, unsaturated polyester polyol or 100% curable composition; or vii) cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or composition or formulation thereof; or viii) polymer B, polymer composition B, coating composition, other functional composition, foil, molded body, coating or coated substrate.The content of the target plastic fragments in the product PRF1 can be 1 weight-% or more, preferably 2 weight-% or more, more preferably 5 weight-% or more, more preferably 15 weight- % or more, more preferably 30 weight-% or more, more preferably 40 weight-% or more, more preferably 60 weight-% or more, more preferably 80 weight-% or more, more preferably 90 weight-% or more, more preferably 95 weight-% or more; and / or the content of the target plastic fragments in the product PRF1 can be 100 weight-% or less, preferably 95 weight-% or less, more preferably 90 weight-% or less, more preferably 50 weight- % or less, more preferably 25 weight-% or less, more preferably 10 weight-% or less; and preferably wherein the content is determined based on identity preservation and / or segregation and / or mass balance and / or book and claim chain of custody models, preferably based on mass balance, preferably the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.The publication Prior Art Disclosure; Issue 684; paragraphs

[1000] to

[8005] ; ISSN: 2198-4786; published: February 12, 2024 will be regarded as Reference RF1 , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferably, the product PRF1 is a product as described in ReferenceRF1 ; paragraphs

[1000] to

[8005] , Preferably, the method described herein is further a method for the production of a product, preferably product PRF1.The converting step to obtain the product PRF1 preferably comprises one or more step(s) as described below and can be performed by conventional methods well known to a person skilled in the art. The converting step preferably comprises one or more step(s) selected from: recycling, preferably depolymerizing, gasifying, pyrolyzing, and / or steam cracking; and / or purifying, preferably crystallizing, (solvent) extracting, distilling, evaporating, hydrotreating, absorbing, adsorbing and / or subjecting to ion exchanger; and / or assembling, preferably foaming, synthesizing, chemical conversion, chemically transforming, polymerizing and / or compounding; and / or forming, preferably foaming, extruding and / or molding; and / or finishing, preferably coating and / or smoothing.In addition, the one or more step(s) are described in detail in Reference RF1; paragraphs

[1000] to

[8005] ,The term “building block”, as used herein, comprises compounds, which are in a gaseous or liquid state under standard conditions of 0°C and 0.1 MPa. Building blocks are typically used in chemical industry to form secondary products, which provide a higher structural complexity and / or higher molecular weight than the building block on which the secondary product is based. The building block is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycols, syngas comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds. The alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds comprise in particular 1 to 12 carbon atoms, respectively.The term “monomer”, as used herein, comprises molecules, which can react with each other to form polymer chains by polymerization. The monomer is preferably selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid, salts of (meth)acrylic acid; in particular sodium, potassium and zinc salts; (meth)acrolein and (meth)acrylates. (Meth)acrylates comprising 1 to 22 carbon atoms are preferred, in particular comprising 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The terms (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrolein or (meth)acrylate relate to acrylic acid, acrolein or acrylate and also to methacrylic acid, methacrolein or methacrylate, where applicable. Further, the monomer can be selected from hexamethylenediamine (HMD) and adipic acid.The building block can further be an intermediate compound. The term “intermediate compound”, as used herein, comprises organic reagents, which are applied for formation ofcompounds with higher molecular complexity. The intermediate compound can be selected for example from the group consisting of phosgene, polyisocyanates and propylene oxide. The polyisocyanates are in particular aromatic di- and polyisocyanates, preferably toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and / or diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI).The building block and the monomer and typical converting step(s) to obtain the building block or monomer are described in more detail in paragraphs

[1000] to

[1012] of Reference RF1.The term “polymer A”, as used herein, comprises thermoplastic, e.g., polyamide or thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoset, e.g., polyurethane, elastomer, e.g., polybutadiene, or a copolymer or a mixture thereof and is defined in more detail in paragraphs

[2001] to

[2007] of Reference RF1.The term “polymer composition A”, as used herein, comprises all compositions comprising a polymer as described above and one or more additive(s), e.g. reinforcement, colorant, modifier and / or flame retardant, and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[2008] of Reference RF1. The term “polymer product A”, as used herein, comprises any product comprising the polymer A and / or polymer composition A as described above and is defined in more detail in paragraphs

[2009] and

[2010] of Reference RF1.The step(s) to obtain the polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A or polymer product, preferably polymer product A is / are described in more detail in paragraph

[2011] of Reference RF1.The term “industrial use polymer”, as used herein, comprises rheology, polycarboxylate, alkoxylated polyalkylenamine, alkoxylated polyalkylenimine, polyether-based, dye inhibition and soil release cleaning polymers defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3035] to

[3044] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use surfactant”, as used herein, comprises non-ionic, anionic and amphoteric industrial use surfactants defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3008] to

[3034] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use descaling compound”, as used herein, comprises non-phosphate based builders (NPB) and phosphonates (CoP) described in more detail in paragraphs

[3001] to

[3005] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use biocide”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth or reproduction defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3006] to

[3007] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use solvent”, as used herein, comprises alkyl amides, alkyl lactamides, alkyl esters, lactate esters, alkyl diester, cyclic alkyl diester, cyclic carbonates, aromatic aldehydes and aromatic esters defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3045] to

[3055] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use dispersant”, as used herein, comprises anionic and non-ionic industrial use dispersants defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3056] to

[3058] of Reference RF1. The term“composition and / or formulation thereof” with reference to the industrial use polymers, industrial use surfactants, descaling compounds and / or industrial use biocides refers to industrial use compositions and / or institutional use products and / or fabric and home care products and / or personal care products defined in more detail in paragraph

[3059] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound and / or industrial use biocide are defined in more detail in paragraph

[3060] of Reference RF1. The converting steps to obtain the industrial use composition or formulation of the industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound and / or industrial use biocide are defined in more detail in paragraph

[3061] of Reference RF1.The term “agrochemical composition”, as used herein, typically relates to a composition comprising an agrochemically active ingredient and at least one agrochemical formulation auxiliary. Examples of agrochemical compositions, active ingredients and auxiliaries are described in more detail in Reference RF1, paragraph

[4001] ,The agrochemical composition may take the form of any customary formulation. The agrochemical compositions are prepared in a known manner, e.g. described by Mollet and Grubemann, Formulation technology, Wiley VCH, Weinheim, 2001 ; or Knowles, New developments in crop protection product formulation, Agrow Reports DS243, T&F Informa, London, 2005. The converting step(s) to obtain the agrochemically active ingredients and auxiliaries may be conducted in analogy to the production step(s) of their analogues that are based on petrochemicals or other precursors that are not gained by recycling processes. In addition, conversion to compounds mentioned in sections “Polymer” and “Cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or compositions or formulations thereof” may be performed as described in these sections as well as the respective paragraphs in Reference RF1.The term active pharmaceutical ingredients and / or intermediates thereof, as used herein, comprises substances that provide pharmacological activity or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or to affect the structure or any function of the body. Intermediates thereof are isolated products that are generated during a multi-step route of synthesis of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The term pharmaceutical excipients, as used herein, comprises compounds or compound mixtures used in compositions for various pharmaceutical applications, which are not substantially pharmaceutically active on itself. Active pharmaceutical ingredients and / or intermediates thereof and pharmaceutical excipients are defined in more detail in paragraph

[5001] of Reference RF1.The converting step(s) to obtain the active pharmaceutical ingredients and / or intermediates thereof and pharmaceutical excipients may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.The terms animal feed additives, human food additives, dietary supplements, as used herein, comprises Vitamins, Pro-Vitamins and active metabolites thereof including intermediates and precursors, especially Vitamin A, B, E, D, K and esters thereof, like acetate, propionate, palmitate esters or alcohols thereof like retinol or salts thereof and any combinations thereof; Tetraterpenes, especially isoprenoids like carotenoids and xanthophylls including their intermediates and precursors as well as mixtures and derivates thereof, especially beta carotene, Canthaxanthin, Citranaxanthin, Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, Apocarotenoids, and any combinations thereof; organic acids, especially formic acid, propionic acid and salts thereof, such as sodium, calcium or ammonium salts, and any combinations thereof, such as but not limited to mixtures of formic acid and sodium formiate, propionic acid and ammonium propionate, formic acid and propionic acid, formic acid and sodium formiate and propionic acid, propionic acid and sodium propionate and formic acid and sodium formiate; glycerides of carboxylic acids and short and medium chain fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acids, such as omega-6 fatty acid (C18:2) methyl ester and 1 ,2-propandiol and beverage stabilizers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone-polymer or polyvinylimidazole / polyvinylpyrrolidone-copolymer. Animal feed additives, human food additives and dietary supplements are defined in more detail in paragraph

[5002] of Reference RF1.The converting step(s) to obtain the animal feed additives, human food additives, dietary supplements may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.The terms aroma chemical and aroma composition as used herein, comprise a volatile organic substance with a molecular weight between 70-250 g / mol comprising a functional group with a carbon skeleton of C5-C16 carbon atoms comprising linear, branched, cyclic, for example with a ring size of C5-C18, bicyclic or tricyclic aliphatic chains and but not necessarily one or more unsaturated structural elements like double bonds, triple bonds, aromatics or heteroaromatics and preferably the one or more additional functional groups are selected from alcohol, ether, ester, ketone, aldehyde, acetal, carboxylic acid, nitrile, thiol, amine. In one aspect, the aroma chemical is a terpene-based aroma chemical, for example selected from monoterpenes and monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, diterpenes, triterpenes or tetraterpenes. Aroma chemicals can be combined with further aroma chemicals to give an aroma composition. Aroma chemicals and aroma compositions are defined in more detail in paragraph

[5003] of Reference RF1.The converting step(s) to obtain the aroma chemical and aroma composition may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.The term “aqueous polymer dispersion”, as used herein, comprises aqueous composition(s) comprising dispersed polymer(s) and is defined in more detail in the section

[6001] entitled “aqueous polymer dispersion” of Reference RF1. The dispersed polymer(s) may be selected from acrylic emulsion polymer(s), styrene acrylic emulsion polymer(s), styrene butadiene dispersion(s), aqueous dispersion(s) comprising composite particles, acrylate alkyd hybrid dispersion(s), polyurethane(s) (including UV-curable polyurethanes) and polyurethane - poly(meth) acrylate hybrid polymer(s). The term “emulsion polymer”, as used herein, comprises polymer(s) made by free-radical emulsion polymerization. Aqueous polyurethane dispersion(s) are defined in more detail in the section

[6002] entitled “Polyurethane dispersions” of Reference RF1. UV-curable polyurethane(s) is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6017] of Reference RF1. Polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid polymer(s) is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6016] of Reference RF1.The term “polymeric dispersant”, as used herein, comprises preferably polymer(s) comprising polyether side chain, in particular polycarboxylate ether polymer(s) and polycondensation product(s) defined in more detail in paragraph

[6020] entitled “Polymeric dispersant” of Reference RF1.The converting (polymerization) step(s) to obtain the aqueous polymer dispersion(s) comprising emulsion polymer(s) is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6003] entitled “Emulsion polymerization” of Reference RF1.The converting (polymerization) step(s) to obtain the aqueous polyurethane dispersion(s) is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6014] entitled “Process for the preparation of aqueous polyurethane dispersions” and section

[6017] entitled “Aqueous UV-curable polyurethane dispersions, their preparation and use and compositions containing them” of Reference RF1. Composition(s) and uses of aqueous polymer dispersion(s) and of polymeric dispersant(s) are defined in more detail in the following sections of Reference RF1: section

[6004] entitled “Uses of aqueous polymer dispersions”, section

[6005] entitled “Binders for architectural and construction coatings” section

[6006] entitled “Binders for paper coating” section

[6007] entitled “Binders for fiber bonding” section

[6008] entitled “Adhesive polymers and adhesive compositions”section

[6015] entitled “Aqueous polyurethane dispersions suitable for use in coating compositions” section

[6016] entitled “Aqueous polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybride polymer dispersions suitable for use in coating compositions” section

[6017] entitled “Aqueous UV-curable polyurethane dispersions, their preparation and use and compositions containing them” section

[6018] entitled “Inorganic binder compositions comprising polymeric dispersants and their use”

[6019] 100% curable coating compositionsUV-crosslinkable poly(meth)acrylate(s) and its / their uses are defined in more detail in section

[6009] entitled “UV-crosslinkable poly(meth)acrylates for use in UV-curable solvent-free hotmelt adhesives and their use for making pressure-sensitive self-adhesive articles” of Reference RF1.Polyisocyanate(s), composition(s) comprising them and their uses are defined in more detail in section

[6010] entitled “Polyisocyanates” of Reference RF1.Hyperbranched polyester polyol(s) and its / their uses are defined in more detail in section

[6011] entitled “Organic solvent based hyperbranched polyester polyols suitable for use in coating compositions” of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the hyperbranched polyester polyols is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6012] entitled “Preparation of organic solvent based hyperbranched polyester polyols” of Reference RF1. Coating composition(s) comprising hyperbranched polyester polyol(s), polyisocyanate(s) and additive(s) and substrate(s) coated therewith are defined in more detail in section

[6013] entitled “Organic solvent based two component coating compositions comprising hyperbranched polyester polyols and polyisocyanates” of Reference RF1.Unsaturated polyester polyol(s), solvent-based coating composition(s) comprising said unsaturated polyester polyol(s) and substrate(s) for coating with said coating composition(s) are defined in more detail in section

[6018] entitled “Organic solvent based coating composition comprising unsaturated polyester polyols” of Reference RF1.100% curable coating composition(s) is / are defined in more detail in section

[6019] of Reference RF1.Polymeric dispersant(s) for inorganic binder compositions is / are defined in more detail in section

[6020] of Reference RF1. The inorganic binder composition(s) comprising the polymeric dispersants and their use are defined in more detail in section

[6021] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the polymeric dispersant(s) are defined in more detail in section

[6020] of Reference RF1. The term “inorganic binder composition” comprising the polymericdispersant(s), as used herein, comprises preferably in particular hydraulically setting compositions and compositions comprising calcium sulfate and is defined in more detail in section

[6021] of Reference RF1 entitled “Inorganic binder compositions comprising the polymeric dispersant and their use”. Specific building material formulation(s) comprising polymeric dispersant(s) or building product(s) produced by a building material formulation comprising a polymeric dispersant are disclosed in more detail in section

[6021] of Reference RF1.The term “cosmetic surfactant”, as used herein, comprises non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7002] of Reference RF1. The term “emollient”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound used for protecting, moisturizing, and / or lubricating the skin and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7003] of Reference RF1. The term “wax”, as used herein, comprises pearlizers and opacifiers and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7004] of Reference RF1. The term “cosmetic polymer”, as used herein, comprises any polymer that can be used as an ingredient in a cosmetic formulation and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7005] of Reference RF1. The term “UV filter”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound that blocks or absorbs ultraviolet light and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7006] of Reference RF1. The term “further cosmetic ingredient”, as used herein, comprises any ingredient suitable for making a cosmetic formulation. Several sources disclose cosmetically acceptable ingredients. E. g. the database Cosing on the internet pages of the European Commission discloses cosmetic ingredients and the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, edited by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), discloses cosmetic ingredients. The term “composition and / or formulation thereof” with reference to the cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter and / or further cosmetic ingredient refers to personal care and / or cosmetic compositions or formulations defined in more detail in paragraph

[7007] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter or further cosmetic ingredient is / are defined in more detail in paragraph

[7008] of Reference RF1.The terms “polymer B”, “polymer composition B”, “coating composition”, “other functional composition”, “foil”, “molded body”, “coating” and “coated substrate” are well known to the person skilled in the art and are defined in more detail from paragraph

[8000] to

[8005] of Reference RF1.ExamplesExample 1 - Preparation of ASRTo prepare the model ASR-1 to ASR-3 the single components are collected from a local ELV collector company (an authorized treatment facility which depollutes ELV) from various about 15 year old passenger cars. For examples, glass is the glass from front windshields and rear windows, dirt is collected as attached to the car exterior, PUR foam is collected from the seat foam, and plastic is collected from selected plastic parts of the cars, such as wheel covers, dashboard, wiper arm, door handle, gears, and bushes, where the type of polymer is known.The model ASR-1 to ASR-3 comprise 5 wt% (based on the total weight of the plastic parts) the orange electric connectors (orange color according to RAL 2003) for high voltage electric circuits made of polyamide 6. Some of the orange electric connectors comprised a phosphorous based flame retardant (e.g. red phosphorus) and some comprise 30 wt% glass fibers.The model ASR-1 to ASR-3 also comprise at least 50 wt% black plastic parts of made of various polymers.The model ASR-1 to ASR-3 are prepared in 5 kg batches by weighing in the components and by shredding the components listed in Table 1 first by hand with a hammer and metal scissors, followed by shredding with a four-shaft shredder (like Model “JFS 8080” from Jogindra, India with main blade rotation diameter 245 mm, assistant rotation diameter 270 mm, 42 main blades, 20 assistant blades, 25 rpm main axle rotation speed, 120-200 kg / hr capacity). The maximum fragment size is 10 cm.Table 1 : Composition of model ASR (amounts in wt%)Example 2 - Preparation of shredder light fractions and shredder heavy fractionsTo prepare the model shredder light fractions SLF-1 to SLF-3 and the shredder heavy fractions SHF-1 to SHF-3 the single components are collected from a local ELV collector company as described in Example 1.The model SLF-1 to SLF-3 and SHF-1 to SHF-3 comprise orange electric connectors (orange color according to RAL 2003) for high voltage electric circuits made of polyamide 6. The model SLF-1 to SLF-3 and SHF-1 to SHF-3 also comprise at least 50 wt% black plastic parts of made of various polymers.The samples are prepared in 5 kg batches by weighing in the components and by shredding the components listed in Tables 2 and 3 first by hand with a hammer and metal scissors, followed by shredding with a four-shaft shredder as described above. The maximum fragment size is 5 cm.Table 2: Composition of SLF (amounts in wt%)Table 3: Composition of SHF (amounts in wt%)Example 3 - Separating orange plastic fragments from ASRA 5 kg sample of each ASR-1 to ASR-3 from Example 1 is sorted with the optical sorter from Hefei Summit Machinery Eguipment Co., Ltd, China, type “Plastic Flakes Color Sorter Machine LD-300”, which is eguipped a belt type machine with CCD full color camera (ultra low distortion Nikon® lense, below 0.2%, can identify spots of 0.01 mm2, Toshiba® CCD sensor for high speed line scan image, color line array 5400x3, scanning freguency 12 KHz), shadowless LED lighting and a belt, and air ejector with 64 high freguency solenoid valves, capacity up to 2 tons / hour.The orange plastic fragments are separated and weighed out. In addition, the orange plastic segments which are not separated from the samples are picked manually and weighed out. Typically at least 97 wt% of the orange plastic fragments in each ASR-1 to ASR-3 samples can be separated by the optical sorter. Thus, fractions of each ASR-1 to ASR-3 samples comprising >95 wt% of orange plastic fragments are obtained.Example 4 - Separating orange plastic fragments from SLFA 5 kg sample of each SLF-1 to SLF-3 from Example 2 is sorted as described in Example 3. The orange plastic fragments are separated and weighed out. In addition, the orange plastic segments which are not separated from the samples are picked manually and weighed out. Typically, about 97 wt% of the orange plastic fragments in each SLF-1 to SLF-3 samples can be separated by the optical sorter. Thus, fractions of each SLF-1 to SLF-3 samples comprising >95 wt% of orange plastic fragments are obtained.Example 5 - Separating orange plastic fragments from SHFA 5 kg sample of each SHF-1 to SHF-3 from Example 2 is sorted as described in Example 3. The orange plastic fragments are separated and weighed out. In addition, the orange plastic segments which are not separated from the samples are picked manually and weighed out. Typically about 98 wt% of the orange plastic fragments in each SHF-1 to SHF-3 samples can be separated by the optical sorter. Thus, fractions of each SHF-1 to SHF-3 samples comprising >95 wt% of orange plastic fragments are obtained.Example 6 - Depolymerization of orange plastic fragments separated from ASRThe polycaprolactam in the orange plastic fragments which are separated from ASR-1 to ASR-3 in Example 3 is depolymerized under neutral conditions to produce caprolactam as follows:In an autoclave 100 g of the orange plastic fragments which are separated from ASR-1 to ASR- 3 in Example 3 are heated to 310°C with 500 g of water for 1.5 hours. After cooling, the solids are removed by filtration, and the water is evaporated in vacuo at temperatures < 80 °C, caprolactam is then removed from the reaction mixture by distillation at 150 °C in vacuo.Example 7 - Depolymerization of orange plastic fragments separated from ASRThe polycaprolactam in the orange plastic fragments which are separated from ASR-1 to ASR-3 in Example 3 is depolymerized under acidic conditions to produce caprolactam as follows:An Erlenmeyer flask is charged with 100 g of ASR-1 , ASR-2 or ASR-3 along with 500 mL of 86% by weight phosphoric acid. The mixture is stirred for 5 hours and the solid residue is filtered from the acid solution and discarded. The filtrate contains a solution of polycaprolactam.The polycaprolactam dissolved in phosphoric acid is fed to a depolymerization reactor at a nominal rate egual to 5% by weight H3PO4based on the amount of nylon present. The polymer is depolymerized and the liberated caprolactam is distilled out by feeding superheated steam with a nominal temperature of 900°F (480°C) to the reactor. Oils are separated from the agueous distillate. The distillate is then concentrated to approximately 80% by weight caprolactam. The concentrated lactam solution is then further concentrated to nominally 99% by weight caprolactam by distilling the solution through two thin-film evaporators in series. The 99% by weight lactam is rectified with 5% by weight lime before being distilled a final time in a thin-film evaporator. The resulting caprolactam 99.7% by weight pure.

Claims

Claims1. A method for recycling an automotive shredder residue comprising a) shredding a vehicle comprising orange plastic parts and black plastic parts to obtain an automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments, and b) separating the orange plastic fragments from the automotive shredder residue by an optical sorter which uses visible light to detect the orange plastic fragments.

2. The method according to claim 1 where the orange plastic parts are made of plastics selected from polyamides, polybutylene terephthalate, and thermoplastic polyurethanes.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 where the orange plastic parts comprise connectors, charging ports, outer covering of cables, battery covers and harness for high voltage electric circuits.

4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3 where the orange plastic parts comprise a flame retardant, preferably a phosphorous containing flame retardant.

5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4 where the orange plastic parts comprise glass fibers.

6. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5 where the optical sorter comprises a feed system, an optical system, an image processing software, and a separation system.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6 where the optical sorter comprises the optical system which includes lights to illuminate objects and a sensor which uses visible light to capture images of the objects.

8. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8 where the orange plastic fragments have a fragment length at the longest dimension of 1 mm to 20 cm, preferably 5 mm to 10 cm.

9. The method according to any of claims 1 to 9 where the vehicle is an electric vehicle, preferably a fully electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle.

10. The method according to any of claims 1 to 10 where the orange plastic parts have an orange color according to RAL Classic in the range of RAL 2xxx, preferably RAL 2003.

11. The method according to any of claims 1 to 11 where at least 70 wt%, preferably 90 wt%, of the orange plastic fragments are separated from the mixture of orange and black plastic fragments.

12. The method according to any of claims 1 to 12 further comprising after step a) and before step b) the steps of aa) separating the metal fragments from the automotive shredder residue, and ab) separating the automotive shredder residue into a shredder light fraction and a shredder heavy fraction.

13. The method according to any of claims 1 to 13 further comprising the step of recycling of the orange plastic fragments.

14. The method according to any of claims 1 to 14 where the recycling of the orange plastic fragments comprises a depolymerization of the orange plastic parts which are made of plastics selected from polyamides, polybutylene terephthalate, and thermoplastic polyurethanes.

15. Method, preferably according to any of claims 1 to 15, comprising the step:- converting the orange plastic fragments obtainable by or obtained by the method according to any of claims 1 to 15 or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the method according to any of claims 1 to 15 to obtain a product PRF1.

16. A fraction of an automotive shredder residue comprising at least 70 wt% of orange plastic fragments.

17. The fraction according to claim 16 where the orange plastic fragments are made of plastics selected from polyamides, polybutylene terephthalate, and thermoplastic polyurethanes.

18. The fraction according to any of claims 16 or 17 where the orange plastic fragments comprise a flame retardant, preferably a phosphorous containing flame retardant.

19. The fraction according to any of claims 16 to 18 where the orange plastic fragments comprise glass fibers.

20. A use of an automotive shredder residue comprising a mixture of orange and black plastic fragments for recycling the orange plastic fragments, preferably by the method as defined in any of claims 1 to 15.

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