# Potential Utilization of End-of-Life Vehicle Carpet Waste in Subfloor Mortars: Incorporation into Portland Cement Matrices

## TL;DR

This paper explores using car carpet waste in cement to create sustainable construction materials that reduce landfill waste and improve noise insulation.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel use of end-of-life vehicle carpet waste in subfloor mortars, demonstrating improved dynamic stiffness and potential for circular economy applications.

## Key findings

- Composites with automotive carpet waste showed significantly improved dynamic stiffness at all tested incorporation levels.
- The material could serve as an alternative for impact noise insulation in flooring systems.
- The research identifies commercial and environmental service opportunities to manage ELV waste sustainably.

## Abstract

The growing need to improve the management of end-of-life vehicle (ELV) waste and mitigate its environmental impact is a global concern. One promising approach to enhancing the recyclability of these vehicles is leveraging synergies between the automotive and construction industries as part of a circular economy strategy. In this context, ELV waste emerges as a valuable source of secondary raw materials, enabling the development of sustainable innovations that capitalize on its physical and mechanical properties. This paper aims to develop and evaluate construction industry composites incorporating waste from ELV carpets, with a focus on maintaining or enhancing performance compared to conventional materials. To achieve this, an experimental program was designed to assess cementitious composites, specifically subfloor mortars, incorporating automotive carpet waste (ACW). The results demonstrate that, beyond the physical and mechanical properties of the developed composites, the dynamic stiffness significantly improved across all tested waste incorporation levels. This finding highlights the potential of these composites as an alternative material for impact noise insulation in flooring systems. From an academic perspective, this research advances knowledge on the application of ACW in cement-based composites for construction. In terms of managerial contributions, two key market opportunities emerge: (1) the commercial exploitation of composites produced with ELV carpet waste and (2) the development of a network of environmental service providers to ensure a stable waste supply chain for innovative and sustainable products. Both strategies contribute to reducing landfill disposal and mitigating the environmental impact of ELV waste, reinforcing the principles of the circular economy.