Project description
Innovative technologies that separate plastics move us closer to a future without plastic waste
Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as the recycling rate is low. A main reason for this is the heterogeneous nature of plastics. Existing sorting and waste management systems cannot separate plastic blends and composites. The overall objective of the EU-funded POLYNSPIRE project is to increase the recycling and valorisation rates of plastic-containing waste. POLYNSPIRE will demonstrate cost-effective and sustainable solutions aiming at improving the energy and resource efficiency of plastic recycling. Project activities will rest on three pillars: chemical recycling to recover plastic monomers and valuable fillers, mechanical recycling to enhance the quality of the recycled plastics and material valorisation of low-grade plastics for use in the steel industry.
Objective
The main objective of POLYNSPIRE is to demonstrate a set of innovative, cost-effective and sustainable solutions, aiming at improving the energy and resource efficiency of post-consumer and post-industrial plastic recycling processes, targeting 100% waste streams containing at least 80% of plastic materials. To this end, three innovation pillars are addressed at TRL7: A) Chemical recycling assisted by microwaves and smart magnetic catalysts as a path to recover plastic monomers and valuable fillers (carbon or glass fibres), B) Advanced additivation and high energy irradiation to enhance recycled plastics quality and C) Valorisation of plastic waste as carbon source in steel industry. Innovations A and B can lead up to 34% of fossil fuel direct reduction for PA and 32% for PU. Approach C can lead to reductions of around 80% of fossil carbon sources in electric arc furnaces. The demonstration is completed by the performance of a rigorous holistic environmental and economic analysis (LCA and LCC) to ensure the industrial feasibility and the accomplishment of environmental restrictions. Efforts are dedicated to analyse non-technological barriers (legislative or standardization) that could hinder the proper innovations deployment.
POLYNSPIRE also implies the development of a comprehensive business plan, gathering 7 business models and establishing a cross-linked relation between plastic, chemical and steel manufacturing industries. Its consortium, coordinated by CIRCE, ensures POLYNSPIRE success through the involvement of 4 RTOs, 1 university, 9 large companies, 6 SMEs and 2 multiplier associations. To that end, chemical companies (REPSOL QUIMICA, ARKEMA, NOVAMONT, NUREL and KOR), plastic compounders (BADA) and converters (MAIER), waste managers (IDS), technology developers (CIRCE, NIC, ION, AITIIP, TUe, CSM), equipment and steel manufacturers (FM, CPPE, HTT, FENO), exploitation (VTG), standardisation (DS) and dissemination (EUPC and IKMIB) entities are involved in the consortium.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
50018 Zaragoza
Spain
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Participants (27)
28045 Madrid
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92700 Colombes
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28100 Novara
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50016 Zaragoza
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41310 Kocaeli
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5612 AR Eindhoven
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1000 Ljubljana
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31226 Peine
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
5612 AE Eindhoven
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50720 Zaragoza
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22006 Huesca
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
WS7 3GJ Burntwood
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
Participation ended
48320 Ajangiz Vizcaya
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00128 Roma
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33010 OSOPPO UD
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
33010 Osoppo
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33037 Pasian Di Prato Ud
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612 00 Brno
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
3000 Celje
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
2150 NORDHAVN
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
06000 Nice
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
34197 Istanbul
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48320 Ajangiz
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
48320 Ajangiz Vizcaya
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33010 TAVAGNACCO
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