Recycled Polyamide – “Revolutionary Battery Module Made from Recycled Polyamide Wins Prestigious Award, Delivering Outstanding Performance, Exceptional Sustainability, and Game-Changing Innovation for the Future of Electric Mobility, Empowering Eco-Friendly Technology and Transforming the Automotive Industry for a Greener Tomorrow” 07-10-2025
Recycled Polyamide
RadiciGroup has been honored by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) for a cutting-edge battery module made from recycled polyamide. In Bonn, during the 23rd SPE Automotive Award Night, this module won in the “Enabler Technology” category, recognizing its value as a strategic, sustainable component for future e-mobility.
The accolade rewards a collaborative effort among RadiciGroup, Mersen, and Leartiker. Their joint work delivered a prototype battery module integrating high performance, sustainability, and ecodesign. The key innovation? Using recycled polyamide—specifically RadiciGroup’s Renycle® material—in a demanding automotive application.
What Is Renycle®?
RadiciGroup developed Renycle® as a mechanically recycled polyamide 6 engineering polymer that draws from post-industrial and post-consumer waste streams. This material is formulated as a flame-retardant grade (UL 94 V-0 at 0.8 mm) without halogens or red phosphorus. It carries a UL Yellow Card certification.
Because of its chemical purity and performance, Renycle® offers mechanical properties close to virgin grades, while significantly lowering environmental impact. In this battery module application, it demonstrates that recycled polyamide can meet demanding safety, durability, and performance criteria.
Why This Project Matters
This project is more than a demonstration—it’s a statement that recycled polyamide can be used in advanced e-mobility structures. Below are the main advances:
Modular Architecture & Disassembly
The battery pack is conceived with a modular design that enables easier disassembly and servicing. Individual cells may be replaced without tearing down the entire pack.
Weight Savings
Compared to a reference benchmark, the prototype achieves a 25 % weight reduction. Lower mass means better efficiency and longer effective life.
Emissions Reduction
A life cycle assessment (LCA) on the prototype indicates a 65 % reduction in CO₂ emissions relative to a standard battery pack in the Segment D class.
Performance & Safety
Thanks to the use of recycled polyamide, mechanical performance is preserved, flame safety is achieved (UL 94 V-0 at 0.8 mm), and the material avoids halogens and red phosphorus, aligning with sustainability goals.
Voices from the Team
“This award confirms RadiciGroup’s role as a solution provider for the e-mobility sector… Renycle® is an engineering polymer that combines high mechanical performance and reduced environmental impact,” said Carlo Grassini, marketing and technical service manager of RadiciGroup High Performance Polymers.
“We are proud of our synergistic working relationship with Mersen and Leartiker… we hope our prototype developed according to ecodesign principles can be transformed into an industrial solution,” commented Fabio Macchini, Automotive R&D project manager at RadiciGroup.
These statements emphasize both the material innovation and the collaborative spirit behind the project.
Key Technical Highlights
Here’s a breakdown of the most significant technical features of this battery module prototype:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Renycle® recycled polyamide 6, flame-retardant grade (UL 94 V-0 @ 0.8 mm) |
| Certifications | UL Yellow Card certified |
| Design | Modular, cell-level replaceability |
| Weight Reduction | ~25 % vs. benchmark |
| CO₂ Emissions Cut | ~65 % reduction in LCA vs. standard pack |
| Safety & Performance | No halogens/red phosphorus, mechanical strength near virgin grade |
With this table, readers can quickly grasp the technical trade-offs and benefits.
How This Fits the E-Mobility Landscape
The transition to electric vehicles demands not just battery chemistry advances but also innovations in materials engineering, packaging, and sustainability. A component that’s lighter, safer, modular, and less carbon-intensive can make a real difference.
By integrating recycled polyamide, RadiciGroup is tackling:
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Resource circularity — closing the loop on plastics
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Downstream emissions — cutting carbon over the life cycle
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Design for repair — enabling modular replacement
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Safety compliance — achieving flame retardancy without harmful additives
As manufacturers look to replace virgin materials, Renycle® may become a blueprint for sustainable parts in e-mobility.
From Prototype to Industry
Now in the prototype stage, this battery module is slated for public unveiling at K 2025 in Düsseldorf (Hall 6, Stand B10). Attendees will be able to engage with RadiciGroup’s experts, explore technical details, and understand how ecodesign principles were integrated.
If turned into an industrial solution, this module could pave the way for next-generation battery packs that balance performance with planetary responsibility.
Summary & Future Outlook
RadiciGroup’s award-winning battery module showcases how recycled polyamide can deliver safety, performance, and sustainability for electric vehicles. Through modular design, emissions reductions, weight savings, and collaboration, the project represents a compelling paradigm for circular e-mobility parts.
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