New Technologies for end of life PV panels Recycling
Project funded under the Veneto ERDF PR 2021-2027
Action 1.1.3/B-Support for investment and research and innovation activities of SMEs. Sub. B – Support for research and innovation activities of SMEs
Expenditure: €250,000.00 Contribution: €150,000.00
The action of the POR project here presented provides support to investments and research and innovation activities for SMEs, and in particular consolidating innovative start-ups.
9-Tech, as such, used this support for research expenses sustained in the study of the photovoltaic panels recycling.
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 PV module is made by a glass panel, two encapsulating layers incorporating the PV cells, and the backsheet, a sheet made of polyvinilfluoride (Tedlar) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). At the moment, photovoltaic panels recycling is very complex and the existent solutions do not value all the materials present.
9-Tech has developed a highly innovative solution to recover and recycle all materials in the PV panel that won it the first prize in the ESG In Action challenge in 2022. In fact, the start-up has already tested the thermomechanical recycling process on a pilot scale(the 9PV prototype), which is now being upscaled(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.
