VAE polymers are thermoplastic polymers that are soluble in water and other chemicals. Therefore carpets that are made with VAE binders are recyclable via chemical separation processes. By this process, the backing, which is mainly filler, is cleanly separated from the fibres, which can be mechanically recycled. The carpet fibres are the most valueable. While the backing with it's binder, can be reused as a backing.
How is Carpet made?
Carpets are woven or tufted fibres in a backing. In order to fixate the fibres a binder is needed. Often used polymers are:
- Styrene Butadien (SB, SBL, SBR).
- Vinyl Acetate Ethylene (VAE, Vinyl-Rubber, PVAC)
- Polyethylene dispersions (PE, PP)
- Hot melt (powder, thermoplastic)
- Polyurethante (PU, PUR)
Furthermore a heavy backing is often applied for stabilisation purposes. This is often a filled backing for economic reasons, but the reason can also be thermical or because of fire resistant properties.
What is UAE polymer?
VAE polymer is made by copolymerization of Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) and Ethylene. By varying the ratio, a polymer can have different properties, especially the glass temperature (Tg) can be made in a range from -20°C to +30°C. In general the properties for VAE as a binder are:
- Dispersion (water) or Solid (powder) form
- Thermoplastic (standard) or crosslinkable
- Water solluble (standard) or water resistant (crosslinked)
- Low VOC, because of low VOC monomers
- Low flammability, due to low oxygen index.
- Good recyclability
Special compounds
Intercol can develop special carpet compounds on request, with the required properties like dimension stability, drying, FR, handfeel and adhesion properties. Just contact us with your request.
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