Circular economy and sustainability
R&D OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY MODELS APPLIED TO THE ORTHOPEDICS SECTOR
RENEWORTH
Motivation
The RENEWORTH project arises from the need to give a second life to waste from the orthopedic sector (such as insoles, footwear, and orthopedic cushion foams), which currently pose both environmental and economic challenges. It is conceived as a response aligned with the principles of the circular economy, aiming to minimize waste volume and improve industrial production efficiency. The initiative is based on an innovative approach that considers both the technical and economic aspects of material revalorization, seeking to integrate real and sustainable solutions for various industrial sectors.
Objectives
Revalorize orthopedic waste by transforming it into useful raw materials for different sectors such as orthopedics, furniture, decoration, and packaging. Specific objectives of the project include:
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Develop rigid products such as parts for wrist braces, knee braces, ankle supports, slings, and belts.
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Study revalorization technologies such as mechanical shredding, development of composites using glue blender technology, and molding processes under pressure and temperature.
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Investigate nonwoven manufacturing technologies such as Wet Laid and Air Laid.
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Develop scalable solutions for large-scale production.
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Promote knowledge transfer through the dissemination of results and protection of intellectual property.
Expected results
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Production of functional and high-quality products from revalorized orthopedic waste.
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Technical and economic validation of proposed processes through scalability testing.
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Development of prototypes and detailed documentation of experimental results.
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Assurance of compliance with quality standards required by the relevant sectors.
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Effective knowledge transfer through conferences and outreach materials.
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Increased impact and visibility of the project within the scientific and business communities.
Grant number: imdeea/2025/98
Programme: Grants aimed at technological centers in the Comunitat Valenciana for R&D projects in cooperation with companies
Period of execution: April 2025 – June 2026
Status: In progress
More information: Import – 158.908,06 €
Entity: IVACE
This project has the support of the Conselleria of Innovación, Industria, Comercio y Turismo of the Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE, and is co-financed by the FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) of the European Union, within the FEDER Operational Programme of the Comunidad Valenciana 2021-2027.
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R&D AREAS
New high-performance functionalised materials
Circular economy and sustainability
Advanced manufacturing, smart textiles and digitalisation
High value-added solutions for strategic markets
RELATED PROJECTS
NEWS
AITEX is present at the Babykid FIMI fair at Feria Valencia from January 26 to 28, presenting tests and certifications for children’s products.
AITEX has attended the Cosmetorium fair in Barcelona once again on October to present its new products for the cosmetic sector.
AITEX has hosted the LIFE POLITEX workshop entitled “Closing the textile polyester cycle: challenges and opportunities”, based on promoting sustainable solutions for the management and recycling of textile materials.