Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (FRPs) are widely adopted in several massively used products in the electronics, sport equipment, medical equipment, automotive, construction, wind energy, aeronautics and marine industries, due to their better lightweight and corrosion resistance compared to metals. However, the recovery of plastics and fibers after the use phase of such products remains a challenge. Currently, the only solution is landfilling. The lack of a European sustainable circular value-chain for the recovery and re-use of such plastics materials into high value-added applications would then lead to both untapped business opportunities and economic losses and to a serious environmental burden.
Leveraging on a cross-sectorial approach can open new potentials for composite made parts recycling, reprocessing and re-use under a systemic circular economy perspective. Moreover, a demand-driven, specification-compliant Circular Economy Solution could foster a systematic transition towards more sustainable products. According to this view, the circular value-chain is transformed into a “pull” system, where the requirements on the materials to be re-used are transferred directly from the demand side in terms of characteristics and functionalities.
In this context, YouRban aims at CoCreating an active and conscious urban demand for creative solutions for the recycling and upcycling of dismantled objects and materials, primarily in relation to reinforced polymers, materials coming from the local environment. In Europe in 2025 almost 700.000 tons of waste of reinforced polymer materials are expected. The main objective of the project is to activate an urban ecosystem of citizens, artists, designers, architects, and small-scale producers as FabLabs and artisans’ laboratories (Urban Factories), engaged in building together a sustainable and inclusive system, beautiful for eyes, minds and souls and encouraging dialogue across cultures, disciplines, professions, talents, genders, and ages. A local, flexible and modular decentralised production system will be promoted and generated in two European cities, both linked to the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, Milan and Barcelona. Two complementary pilots will CoCreate new objects, spaces and experiences through a Neighbourhood Participatory Approach supported by Collaborative Digital tools and a Truck. The strong experience in demanufacturing and reprocessing materials will be supported by physically providing examples and experiences locally, through a 10-day event around a mobile plant on board of the Truck, that will be placed in the city and open to all actors. Citizens will be involved to provide needs and challenges, artists will be engaged through artistic residences to provide solutions inspired by art and culture and able to go beyond functionality, Urban Factories will be encouraged to participate thanks to a Cascade Funding mechanism. Lessons learnt will be all collected along the project, to fix research results and define a replication strategy. The results described in the success stories will demonstrate future potential industrial uptake.
