KTP to recycle cars also creates energy, saves money and scoops top award

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Recycling Lives and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has won a Times Higher Education Award.

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Preston-based recycling and waste management company, Recycling Lives, and experts at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has produced some exceptional outcomes: described as a ‘game changer’ for car recycling, it has also enabled potential savings of £1.5 million a year, generated electricity and been named Most Innovative Contribution to Business-University Collaboration at the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards.

A two-year study, led by Dr Ala Khodier and his team working with Recycling Lives and UCLan, set out to try to reuse the estimated 1.2 million tonnes of residue left over every year after the company shreds around 100,000 vehicles at the end of their lives, diverting it from landfill.

At the end of the study period, the team then created a process to transform the residue, made up of foams, rubber, fibres and textiles, into electrical energy. The team also managed to identify metals in the residue that could be extracted and returned to the market.

As a result, it’s estimated that Recycling Lives, which uses its recycling activity to support its own projects on prisoner rehabilitation and homelessness, can generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity and make savings of £1.5 million a year.

UCLan and Recycling Lives are now entering into a joint venture that will see their partnership building and owning a £540,000 research facility to commercialise the project.