Innovation: Recycled plastic

Scientists at the DaimlerBenz research centre in Ulm, Germany, have developed a way of separating the layers of composite plastics, allowing them to be recycled rather than incinerated or put in a landfill.

The layers are separated mechanically by shredding and then pulverizing the material. The constituents are so well separated that they are virtually pure and can be re-used for the same components. A recycling plant will be set up at the Mercedes-Benz Worth production plant this summer to recycle stampings.