On the 22nd and 23rd of April, the partners of the PRecycling project met in Spain, for the 24-month progress meeting of the project. Hosted by AIMEN at their cutting-edge laser centre in O Porriño, the meeting served as a pivotal moment for the consortium's partners to come together to exchange insights and delve into the project's evolution.

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The meeting was opened by Dr. Tanja Kosanovic (NTUA) who representing the coordination team, provided an overview of the meeting's objectives, summarising achievements across various Work Packages, and outlining the timeline for the upcoming year.

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The floor was then given to the leader of the different Work Packages for them to showcase the objectives achieved as well as the plan for the upcoming future.

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The session started with Work Package 1, led by AIJU, whose presentation outlined the progress made in screening and evaluating recyclates’ definitions, highlighting the development of best practices for verifying and reporting on recycled plastic content. In this context, the successful completion of the deliverable led by COOLREC stood as evidence of the consortium's expertise in the identification of the relevant legislative landscape and the related barriers and gaps potentially hindering the current regulatory framework.

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In the Work Package 2 presentation, NTUA showcased significant progress in the analysis of waste composition. The key achievements were presented, including the finalisation of the report on legacy additives and impurities removal using advanced methods conducted by Fraunhofer IVV and CTB. Discussions focused on selecting the best recycling and upcycling routes per case and planning for future demos, wrapping up the session with action plans for the next phase.

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BASF, leading Work Package 3, outlined ongoing efforts for sampling, verification and quality control of recyclates. Efforts have focused on developing a waste model for analysis and sampling techniques.  The main results were provided on time and served as the basis for analysing recyclates in different forms and determining the best sample sizes for analysis. Criteria for acceptance of recyclates were established, taking into account producers' needs, legal requirements and consumer preferences. In addition, the WP partners, developed methods for measuring specific materials in recyclates, emphasizing the consistent quality of sampling and analysis.

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Circularise provided an update on the Work Package 4 progress, including the completion of the first draft of the report on substance material flow analysis, led by AIMEN, to track additives in home appliances and toy products. The session presented also the advancements in digital twin technology under development for the track and trace tool to certify material characteristics. Additionally, substantial progress was made in developing the decentralised blockchain-based communication platform in collaboration with MORE and EuPC.

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As a conclusion of Day 1, AIMEN guided attendees through a tour of their facilities, offering valuable insights into their mission and operational focus.

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On day 2, the discussion was kickstarted by ARCELICK, leader of Work Package 5, which started in month 24 with a focus on redesigning and manufacturing products using recycled materials. ARCELICK’s representative highlighted the next steps and timeline to achieve the Work Package’s objectives stressing how through the application of Design for Recycling (DfR), the aim is to ensure that these products maintain or surpass the performance of those made from virgin materials. Additionally, the Work Package seeks to identify the potential of recycled materials and define strategies for end-user partners to facilitate widespread adoption within the industry.

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DTU, leading Work Package 6, presented updates up to M24, including an analysis of barriers to eco-design and sustainability, and recommendations for sustainable product design coordinated by IRES. IRES outlined its approach to assessing potential airborne risks using questionnaires, literature searches, and on-site measurements. Plans include extending this assessment to materials in PWS and analysing emissions during recycling. DTU and IRES collaborated with partners on a life cycle analysis (LCA) of test materials, and an initial screening LCA for PET waste-to-fabric production at CTB was presented by DTU.

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In the context of the Work Package 7 developments, STRATAGEM stressed the importance of carrying out effective communication and dissemination activities with the purpose of boosting public engagement. Particular attention was given to the activities led by AIJU in developing communication strategies and educational toolkits aimed at increasing awareness and public engagement in the field of recycled plastics. Clustering and networking activities led by NTUA building synergies with PRecycling sister projects and EU clusters were also presented.

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The meeting wrapped up with an overview of the project's operational aspects, delivered through a presentation of Work Package 8 by the coordination team and an outline of the project's expected evolution in the coming months until the next meeting, which will take place in Brussels on October 2024, hosted by the partner EuPC.

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In conclusion, the 24-month progress meeting confirmed the collaborative spirit of the PRecycling partners, by sharing experiences, addressing challenges, and fostering synergies.

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For those interested in staying updated on PRecycling developments, you can visit the project website or contact the team.