Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SYSCHEMIQ (Demonstrator of systemic solutions for the territorial deployment of the circular economy in the Trilateral Chemical Region with a focus on plastic waste streams Quality for Recycling)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-03-01 al 2025-08-31
The SYSCHEMIQ project aims to revolutionize plastic recycling in the Trilateral Rhine-Meuse region (NL, BE, DE) by aligning regional stakeholders towards establishing a circular urban-industrial plastics district. This initiative integrates new chemical recycling (CR) technologies with traditional mechanical recycling (MR) to handle mixed or contaminated plastic waste that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled.
Central to the project's success is the collaboration across the entire plastics value chain. This includes optimizing product designs for recyclability, enhancing waste collection and sorting protocols, and refining mechanical and chemical recycling processes. Such comprehensive alignment and optimization are vital for transforming plastic waste into a quality feedstock, suitable for both recycling approaches. At the heart of the SYSCHEMIQ initiative is the design and validation of these technologies and processes at Chemelot, a leading industrial park and chemical hub. The project leverages existing infrastructure and governance models, including the newly established Brightlands Circular Hub, to pilot innovative recycling solutions. At the current stage in the project already several tangible results have been achieved with regards to innovations across the plastics value chain. New guidelines for design for recycling have been formulated, a new sorting line optimized for chemical recycling feedstock has been developed, an improved set-up for chemical recycling has been designed, models to track plastic waste flows and potential impact of recycling technologies have been created, and concrete policy proposals to stimulate a circular plastics economy have been suggested. Furthermore, the SYSCHEMIQ project engages cities and citizens within the Trilateral Rhine-Meuse region through innovative "nudging" strategies and educational campaigns, fostering active participation in plastic waste separation. In addition, through workshops and information exchange the consortium shares collected learnings and tests them in a broader market, both on expertise level as well as geographical level. I
By pushing the boundaries of current recycling technology and fostering a systemic approach to waste management, SYSCHEMIQ not only addresses environmental concerns but also sets the stage for future economic growth and job creation in the region. This aligns with broader European Green Deal objectives, aiming to establish a more sustainable and competitive circular economy.
Central to the project's success is the collaboration across the entire plastics value chain. This includes optimizing product designs for recyclability, enhancing waste collection and sorting protocols, and refining mechanical and chemical recycling processes. Such comprehensive alignment and optimization are vital for transforming plastic waste into a quality feedstock, suitable for both recycling approaches. At the heart of the SYSCHEMIQ initiative is the design and validation of these technologies and processes at Chemelot, a leading industrial park and chemical hub. The project leverages existing infrastructure and governance models, including the newly established Brightlands Circular Hub, to pilot innovative recycling solutions. At the current stage in the project already several tangible results have been achieved with regards to innovations across the plastics value chain. New guidelines for design for recycling have been formulated, a new sorting line optimized for chemical recycling feedstock has been developed, an improved set-up for chemical recycling has been designed, models to track plastic waste flows and potential impact of recycling technologies have been created, and concrete policy proposals to stimulate a circular plastics economy have been suggested. Furthermore, the SYSCHEMIQ project engages cities and citizens within the Trilateral Rhine-Meuse region through innovative "nudging" strategies and educational campaigns, fostering active participation in plastic waste separation. In addition, through workshops and information exchange the consortium shares collected learnings and tests them in a broader market, both on expertise level as well as geographical level. I
By pushing the boundaries of current recycling technology and fostering a systemic approach to waste management, SYSCHEMIQ not only addresses environmental concerns but also sets the stage for future economic growth and job creation in the region. This aligns with broader European Green Deal objectives, aiming to establish a more sustainable and competitive circular economy.
The Dual Track Governance (DTG) methodology has been further improved. It provides frameworks for aligning industry, government, and societal efforts, ensuring effective collaboration for sustainable plastic recycling solutions. It involves diverse measures like recycling targets, packaging design boundaries, innovation support, and CO2 pricing on the societal level. During the second period, the model has been further optimized based on interviews with stakeholders across the value chain.
Significant steps have been taken in redesigning lid films of a dairy cup and several showcase products based on PCR PP have been demonstrated. Additionally, new guidelines for design for recycling have been generated.
Furthermore, considerable strides have been made in providing insights in Mixed Plastic Waste (MPW) availability in the trilateral region, encompassing the Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Flanders. Moreover, the team has evaluated two pretreatment and chemical recycling technologies for MPW in a comprehensive study and selected a novel, promising technology to design a chemical recycling plant at scale in the third project period. In addition, a new sorting plant has been designed fully optimized for chemical recycling and a new sorting standard has been published. Further improvements have been made on an advanced model to analyze the contaminants in waste streams and support decisions on the optimal recycling pathway. The data in this model are generated and validated in a pilot-set up of a chemical recycling plant.
Also, the team has further improved the models to evaluate the societal and business performance of plastic waste recycling in the ARRRA region and created several business cases for the chemical recycling of MPW. It has integrated the PRISM (Plastic Recycling Impact Scenario Model) and CIMS (Chemical production Integrated Model System) models, tested policy scenarios, and developed a GIS tool for spatial analysis.
Substantial progress in engaging communities in plastic recycling has also been made. The team identified key behavioral factors influencing recycling habits through extensive interviews and case studies. They developed and implemented an awareness program targeting environmentally conscious consumers, incorporating educational initiatives in schools and community workshops. The project has also set the stage for replication. This led to securing Letters of Interest from regions such as Mazovia, West Pomerania, Central Portugal, and Emilia Romagna.
Significant steps have been taken in redesigning lid films of a dairy cup and several showcase products based on PCR PP have been demonstrated. Additionally, new guidelines for design for recycling have been generated.
Furthermore, considerable strides have been made in providing insights in Mixed Plastic Waste (MPW) availability in the trilateral region, encompassing the Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Flanders. Moreover, the team has evaluated two pretreatment and chemical recycling technologies for MPW in a comprehensive study and selected a novel, promising technology to design a chemical recycling plant at scale in the third project period. In addition, a new sorting plant has been designed fully optimized for chemical recycling and a new sorting standard has been published. Further improvements have been made on an advanced model to analyze the contaminants in waste streams and support decisions on the optimal recycling pathway. The data in this model are generated and validated in a pilot-set up of a chemical recycling plant.
Also, the team has further improved the models to evaluate the societal and business performance of plastic waste recycling in the ARRRA region and created several business cases for the chemical recycling of MPW. It has integrated the PRISM (Plastic Recycling Impact Scenario Model) and CIMS (Chemical production Integrated Model System) models, tested policy scenarios, and developed a GIS tool for spatial analysis.
Substantial progress in engaging communities in plastic recycling has also been made. The team identified key behavioral factors influencing recycling habits through extensive interviews and case studies. They developed and implemented an awareness program targeting environmentally conscious consumers, incorporating educational initiatives in schools and community workshops. The project has also set the stage for replication. This led to securing Letters of Interest from regions such as Mazovia, West Pomerania, Central Portugal, and Emilia Romagna.
The dual-track governance model which introduces a novel approach to managing collaborations across the plastic value chain. By enhancing coordination between industry, government, and societal actors, this model addresses complex interactions and ensures effective cooperation for sustainable plastic recycling solutions.
The Plastic Recycling Impact Scenario Model (PRISM) and CIMS (Chemical production Integrated Model System) which provides scenario analysis for cost-effective recycling strategies including different technologies for pretreatment and chemical recycling. It facilitates data-driven decision-making in recycling operations.
Demonstrators of mono-material polypropylene (PP) packaging products and products in which recycled and virgin materials are combined in a smart manner, together with new guidelines for design for recycling.
Mapping of the availability and composition of plastic waste streams in the tri-lateral area, providing detailed data to guide further recycling efforts, as well as a model to analyze the contamination of MPW based on real data in a pilot chemical recycling plant.
Analysis and evaluation of two chemical recycling and decontamination technologies for MPW in a comprehensive landscape study, and selection of the most promising technologies to design a chemical recycling plant at scale.
Design of a new sorting plant fully optimized to chemical recycling.
Insight in key behavioral factors influencing recycling habits of citizens including the impact of values, attitudes, and situational contexts, such as community involvement and educational interventions, including recommendations on how citizens can be nudged to enhance their engagement in the circular economy.
The Plastic Recycling Impact Scenario Model (PRISM) and CIMS (Chemical production Integrated Model System) which provides scenario analysis for cost-effective recycling strategies including different technologies for pretreatment and chemical recycling. It facilitates data-driven decision-making in recycling operations.
Demonstrators of mono-material polypropylene (PP) packaging products and products in which recycled and virgin materials are combined in a smart manner, together with new guidelines for design for recycling.
Mapping of the availability and composition of plastic waste streams in the tri-lateral area, providing detailed data to guide further recycling efforts, as well as a model to analyze the contamination of MPW based on real data in a pilot chemical recycling plant.
Analysis and evaluation of two chemical recycling and decontamination technologies for MPW in a comprehensive landscape study, and selection of the most promising technologies to design a chemical recycling plant at scale.
Design of a new sorting plant fully optimized to chemical recycling.
Insight in key behavioral factors influencing recycling habits of citizens including the impact of values, attitudes, and situational contexts, such as community involvement and educational interventions, including recommendations on how citizens can be nudged to enhance their engagement in the circular economy.