PRIMUS was a research project funded under the Horizon Europe programme, which ran from 2022 to 2025. A consortium of 12 partners, including technological centres, universities and industries, it focused on developing high performing recylates.

Specifically, it researched new polymer recycling technologies, with a view to producing new recycled materials that meet the requirements for manufacturing high value products. This will make collecting and recycling plastics economically feasible.

The project aimed to make secondary plastics the primary raw material for high-value products in sectors such as automotive and household appliances. In order to achieve this, PRIMUS integrated recycled polymers into industrial practices. The goal was for the recyclate to meet the necessary mechanical, chemical and aesthetic standards, thereby ensuring that the EU's plastic value chain has a reliable, good quality feedstock.

PRIMUS focused on:

• Developing methodologies for waste plastic sampling, pre-treatment and characterisation;
• Developing a robust recycled plastic supply chain;
• Encouraging people to accept recylates;
• Designing methodologies to assess the environmental impact of plastic recycling.

The project produced four prototypes for use in the automotive and appliance sectors, reaching Technology Readiness Level 6. These prototypes prove that it is possible to integrate high-performing recycled polymers into industrial applications without compromising safety or quality.

It also enhanced the PRE-1000 tool, a voluntary industry standard designed to verify the compliance of recyclates with applicable chemicals legislation.