From recycled raw materials to industrial applications: how collaboration across the value chain is enabling the use of regenerated/recycled materials in engineering compounds for electrical protection devices.
Turning partnership into industrial innovation
Developing engineering materials with recycled content that meet the demanding requirements of electrical protection devices is not simply a matter of replacing virgin raw materials. It requires expertise in material engineering, industrial validation and close collaboration throughout the value chain.
This is precisely the approach behind the ongoing collaboration between LATI, Hager and Aquafil, where each partner contributes complementary know-how to integrate regenerated raw materials into reliable industrial applications.
Together with Hager and Aquafil, LATI has translated this shared ambition into concrete product development through a high-performance MCB incorporating chemically recycled plastic derived from a depolymerization process, while meeting the stringent technical and safety requirements of electrical protection devices.
“This initiative shows that we are able to bring innovation into our products when we work closely with the right partners. It is still a first step in our Scope 3 journey, but it demonstrates what is possible.” Alain Michel, Category Sourcing Management Resins at Hager
Engineering LATIECO compounds for demanding electrical applications
Within this collaboration, LATI plays a central role in transforming regenerated polymer raw materials into LATIECO engineering compounds specifically formulated to meet the stringent requirements of electrical applications.
The LATIECO range has been developed to support the integration of recycled raw materials into industrial applications where technical consistency, processing reliability and long-term performance remain essential.
Rather than supplying a standard recycled polymer, LATI develops application-specific formulations by balancing the polymer matrix, reinforcing fillers and functional additives according to the requirements of the final component.
For electrical protection devices, the compound must provide a controlled combination of properties, including:
- mechanical strength and structural integrity;
- dimensional stability and controlled deformation;
- flame-retardant performance;
- reliable injection moulding processability;
- consistent performance under industrial production conditions;
- long-term reliability in the final application.
Depending on the specific grade and component requirements, LATIECO compounds can be engineered to combine recycled content with the mechanical, thermal and safety characteristics required by electrical protection products.
The objective is not simply to maximise the percentage of recycled material, but to develop compounds that can be processed consistently, integrated into established manufacturing workflows and validated against the technical requirements of the finished product.
“Innovation in regenerated materials becomes truly meaningful and tangible only when it is translated into reliable, scalable solutions. This requires close collaboration across the entire value chain.” Jacopo Carabelli, Technical Service Engineer at LATI
Through this engineering approach, recycled raw materials become the starting point for a technically validated compound rather than a compromise in material performance.
From regenerated materials to industrial performance
Miniature Circuit Breakers, or MCBs, are essential electrical safety devices designed to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by overloads or short circuits. In these applications, material performance is critical.
Each partner contributes specific expertise across the value chain:
- Aquafil regenerates selected waste streams into high-quality recycled polymers;
- LATI transforms these raw materials into engineering compounds formulated to satisfy the mechanical, thermal, processing and flame-retardant requirements of electrical protection devices;
- Hager validates and industrialises the materials within reliable electrical protection products.
The result goes beyond simple material substitution. By meeting these stringent application requirements, the three companies have demonstrated how materials derived from waste streams can be transformed into high-value engineering solutions and effectively reintegrated into industrial applications.
As Nicole Soligo, ECONYL® EP Product Manager at Aquafil Group, explains:
“What makes this project significant is the ability to connect expertise, from material regeneration to industrial application, to deliver solutions that are not only drop-in ready, but would also be impossible to achieve by acting individually.”
Advancing recycled engineering compounds
This collaboration represents more than a single product development.
It demonstrates how engineering materials can evolve when raw material producers, compound manufacturers and OEMs work together towards a common objective.
By combining expertise in material regeneration, compound formulation and product engineering, the three companies have shown that integrating recycled materials into industrial applications requires more than replacing virgin materials. It also calls for solutions that combine:
- recycled content;
- technical performance;
- industrial scalability;
- processing consistency;
- long-term reliability.
As Alain Michel concludes:
“Our role is not only to identify suppliers, but to work closely with them and with our internal teams to validate materials that can meet our technical requirements. By doing so, we contribute to building solutions that support our ambition of ‘Better buildings. Better tomorrows.’” Alain Michel, Category Sourcing Management Resins at Hager
For LATI, projects such as this demonstrate that the development of engineering plastics incorporating regenerated materials is driven by material innovation, technical expertise and close collaboration throughout the value chain.
Combining these elements makes it possible to develop recycled engineering compounds capable of meeting the demanding processing, safety and performance requirements of modern electrical protection devices.
FAQ
What are LATIECO engineering compounds?
LATIECO is LATI’s range of engineering compounds developed using recycled raw materials. The formulations are designed according to the mechanical, thermal, processing and functional requirements of specific industrial applications.
What is LATI’s role in the collaboration with Hager and Aquafil?
LATI transforms regenerated polymer raw materials into application-specific engineering compounds. Its role includes formulation, compounding and technical support to ensure that the material meets the requirements of electrical protection devices.
Can recycled compounds be used in electrical protection products?
Yes, provided that the compounds are specifically formulated, processed and validated for the application. Electrical protection products require controlled mechanical, thermal, dimensional and flame-retardant performance.
Why is collaboration across the value chain important?
Collaboration connects material regeneration, compound formulation and product validation. This makes it possible to transform recycled raw materials into scalable industrial solutions that meet defined technical and safety requirements.
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