WP1
- Identification, distribution and quantification of multi-layer packaging materials in a waste treatment facility.
- Selection of the feasible techniques based on lab scale tests using the reference packaging samples to correctly monitor the targeted multi-layer material.
- A working robotic demonstrator has been developed.
- Preliminary works for the integration of the monitoring unit and solutions for sorting were done during this period.
WP2
- Polyester depolymerization for rigid packaging delamination has been achieved on lab scall. The developed process consists of a pre-treatment step in which EVOH is dissolved, as a modular addition to the existing PET depolymerisation process. The ethylene glycol that is used for the pre-treatment is purified by means of filtration and/or centrifugation upon solvent cooling.
- Delamination for non-metalized film delamination has been achieved on lab scale: characterization of multilayer packaging, evaluation of the Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) delamination process and operational conditions study.
- Metalized flexible packaging variably composed by Aluminium layers, PET, PE and PP have been treated with solvent-based methods to achieve polymer delamination or dissolution along with high-quality aluminium recovery.
- Several properties of recovered polymers were evaluated using FTIR and DSC.
WP3
- Indorama did not receive any PET monomers yet from Ioniqa to begin with initial characterization of the materials. It is expected to align with WP2 to make a proper testing plan for 2023 and to begin with these activities.
- CEA will valorize recycled multilayers materials based on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and flexible and rigid polyethylene (PE) from delamination process (WP2).
WP4 has not been started yet.
WP5
- First steps in LCC are parallel to LCA and that includes the definition of functional unit and reference flows, system boundaries, allocation procedures, baseline scenario, etc.
- Materiality assessment has been completed with the support of stakeholders of MERLIN project and potentially relevant stakeholder categories and social topics for this S-LCA have been selected.
- A safety process design methodology has been developed by ITENE and it will be implemented in the course of the project.
- EuPC will evaluate the sustainability of the processes and packaging products throughout their life cycle with a view to proposing the incorporation/modification of these policies to ensure that they take into account environmental, social and economic implications. Currently, all relevant standardisation and certification landscape is continually assessed at international, EU and national levels.
WP6
- A value chain mapping exercise and a baseline analysis were carried out by CSCP with contributions from all consortium partners.
- The evaluation of good practices is led by P09 CSCP while consortium partners with relevant expertise contribute to the evaluation process. A template for evaluation was developed.
- About the Decision Support System for multi-layer packaging recycling, initial meetings and discussions were carried out between IRIS, CSCP, ENCO and ITENE to set preliminary basis for the tool.
- ITENE worked in collaboration with the CSCP to conduct specific surveys to engage the end-users of packaging and to identify their points of interest. A QR code will be designed to be read via any app.
WP7
- During Communication and visibility campaign, an effective communication strategy has been established to generate and promote common understanding of the main messages to be distributed to the target audience.
- A Preliminary Plan for the Exploitation and Dissemination of the project results has been developed and submitted as deliverable (D7.2) in M12.
- In order to demonstrate at the end of the project the commercial potential of MERLIN solution, discussions among KERs owner and Exploitation Manager started.
Interaction with Task 6.2 started in order to align the strategy and create a database of stakeholders.
WP8
- ITENE has worked on the management of the project through the active communication with the consortium and the European Commission (EC), has done the day-to-day management of the project during this period and has been working in this task in order to analyse the main elements of the data management policy with regards to the datasets generated by the project.
