New Technologies for end of life PV panels Recycling
Project funded under the Veneto ERDF Regional Operational Program 2021–2027
Action 1.1.3/B—Support for investments and research and innovation activities of SMEs. Sub-action B— Support for research and innovation activities of SMEs
Expenditure: €213,957.67 Grant: €128,370.60
The POR project described here provides support for investments and research and innovation activities by SMEs, with a particular focus on strengthening innovative startups. As such,
9-Tech has utilized this funding to cover research expenses incurred as part of a study on the recycling of photovoltaic panels.
The “New Technologies for end of life PV panels Recycling” project (NTR) was started in January 2024, will finish in March 2025 and aims to refine the sustainable and innovative process for end of life PV panels recycling, already developed by our star-tup, increasing the TRL level from 5 up to 7.
A photovoltaic module consists of a glass panel, two encapsulating layers that contain the photovoltaic cells, and the backsheet, which is a composite sheet of polyvinyl fluoride (Tedlar) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Currently, recycling photovoltaic panels is very complex, and existing solutions do not recover all the materials they contain.
9-Tech has developed a highly innovative solution for recovering and recycling all the materials in photovoltaic panels, which earned the company first prize in the 2022 ESG In Action challenge. In fact, the startup has already tested the thermomechanical recycling process on a pilot scale (the 9PV prototype), which is now being scaled up (industrial plant).
During the project, the start-up worked to refine its solution, making it more efficient, scalable and market-ready.
The project first and foremost supported the purchase of equipment and useful advice in continuing the research already begun on panel recycling: this allowed the process to be optimized by improving the already known solution and developing new recycling machinery.
Once these new inventions were developed, the project enabled them to be protected by filing 3 new patent applications in Italy, greatly strengthening the company’s intellectual property, including by extending existing patents in Europe, China and the U.S. as well as by making PCT protection.
The effect was thus twofold.
On the one hand, improved technology has allowed the company to have a scalable solution (it will be industrialized in 2025) and more easily attract investment.
On the other, the company’s new patents protect its intellectual property by opening the door to expansion into new international markets.
