Circular Upcycling of Solar Panel EVA Waste into Superhydrophobic Coatings using Toluene

As the world shifts towards renewable power, the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems has been growing at a record pace. As a result, the number of end-of-life (EoL) solar modules is expected to exceed 60 million tonnes by the year 2050, triggering major worries about waste and the environment. One of the primary constituents in these retired PV modules is the encapsulant Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA), used extensively because of its high transparency, flexibility, and weathering resistance. Nevertheless, EVA's thermoset, cross-linked structure makes it non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle using traditional methods, so it ends up accumulating in landfills or is emitted during incineration. This study presents a new upcycling strategy by converting waste EVA into a useful, corrosion-inhibiting, and superhydrophobic paste. In addition, this novel upcycling approach supports circular economy strategies by lengthening the lifetime of polymeric waste and reducing environmental burdens associated with solar energy infrastructure. Finally, this research advances Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerned with responsible consumption, waste reduction, circular economy and climate action.