Plastic multi-layer composites are often used to package food in a functional and safe way. However, current recycling technologies are unable to reprocess these multi-layer composites into high-quality materials and so they are excluded from the circular economy.
For flexible food packaging, recyclability is even more complicated due to the high hygiene and safety standards that recyclates must meet when reused in contact with food. This is why CIRCULAR FoodPack is developing innovative solutions along the entire recycling value chain to make flexible food packaging circular.
At the Circularity FoodPack conference on 23 November, project partners and experts will present the latest findings and developments.
The BioICEP project aims to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
The project has used an innovative cascade process by applying and combining chemical and biological methods to turn fossil-based plastic waste into natural, biodegradable substitutes to be used in the packaging and pharma industries.
Gravity Wave is a social start-up based in Spain. It focuses on working with small-scale fishermen to collect as much as possible of the plastic waste fouling the Mediterranean, from water bottles to a whole load of discarded fishing nets.
The "Waste REcycling Project" (WREP) is a pilot scheme developed by PVC Forum Italia, the national association of producers, converters and recyclers of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), in collaboration with VinylPlus, the European PVC value chain association.
It aims to make the collection, sorting and recycling of PVC waste from demolition/renovation, bulky waste and waste management centres more efficient, using a consolidated and accredited traceability methodology.
Hutoepito has been awarded a HUF 197.85 million non-refundable grant by the Hungarian Ministry of Finance to fund research, development and innovation activities under the Upcycling of closed-cell rigid polyurethane foams project.
The widespread use of polyurethane foams in various industrial technologies produces high volumes of rigid PU foam waste. Proper handling of this is essential for environmental, social and economic reasons.
The goal is to produce upcycled polyurethane foam products.
The researchers first identified the upcycling opportunities of closed-cell polyurethane foam materials and purchased the necessary machinery. Later, they started production of upcycled polyurethane foam blocks and sheets, and now they are developing prototypes.
On 20 September, the Fraunhofer EU Office in Brussels will be holding a workshop to discuss its Roadmap for the Future Development of the Circular Bioeconomy. The workshop will explore the scientific and technological potential and challenges of the bioeconomy, how the bioeconomy can meet ecological and socioeconomic needs, and the policy framework needed to achieve this.
Participants will seek to identify solutions for the four application areas of bioeconomy: nutrition, biomass material utilisation, CO2 value creation and the socio-economic aspects of the bioeconomy.
The European Recycling Conference 2023 will take place on 28 September in Brussels.
This year, EURIC is teaming up with DENUO, the Belgian waste management and recycling federation, to shine a spotlight on car recycling. Why? The automotive industry is going through a major revolution. By 2035 - practically tomorrow in terms of industrial value chains - combustion engine vehicles will be phased out and replaced by electric vehicles (EVs). This transition will have a significant impact on all the players involved, considering that the industry provides 12.6 million direct and indirect jobs in the EU. Recycling is no exception.
In recent years, plastic waste generation has become a prime concern in the global political arena.
A dedicated strategy on plastics was adopted at EU level, leading to the Single-Use Plastics Directive. Nonetheless, plastic waste management data show that achieving a circular economy for plastics in the EU is still a long way off. Available studies suggest that plastic waste generation may stay high in the future or even increase without ambitious circularity policies.
This report looks at the challenges associated with plastic waste generation and discusses the potential for using chemical recycling technologies as part of an ecosystem of solutions for increasing the circularity of plastics. It is based on evidence collected through desk-research.
In view of the ongoing regulatory developments in the field of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, this in-person event on 4 July will discuss the potential of using chemical recycling technologies as part of an ecosystem of solutions for increasing circularity of plastics.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a UK charity which aims to speed up the transition to the circular economy. Since it was set up, the charity has emerged as a global thought leader, putting the circular economy on the agenda of decision makers across business, government and academia.
