The European Union manufactures millions of plastic products each year, however, only a fraction of these are made using recycled plastic. Even more surprising, half of the plastic waste collected for recycling is exported outside the EU for processing. The EU plastics industry is thereby losing valuable potential raw materials at a time when demand is increasing. In recognition of this, as well as the possible environmental and social benefits, TRANSFORM-CE brings together four North West European countries to develop innovative solutions for recycling these materials into new products for a circular economy.
Transforming local plastic waste into raw materials for new products
TRANSFORM-CE is using two innovative technologies to create new products from single use plastic waste – additive manufacturing (AM) and intrusion-extrusion moulding (IEM). To support this, an R&D Centre (UK) and Prototyping Unit (BE) have been set up to develop and scale the production of recycled filaments for AM, whilst an Intrusion-Extrusion Moulding Facility, the Green Plastic Factoryhas been established in the NL to expand the range of products manufactured using IEM. Businesses are being encouraged to take up these technologies and recycled materials, and to develop new products and circular business models, through TRANSFORM-CE’s business support package. This includes the provision of sample filaments, as well as help with product design, prototyping, business model innovation, material analysis and product testing. Through this, and the project’s business support and outreach activities, TRANSFORM-CE is demonstrating the potential value of single use plastic waste, the possibilities for recycling it into new products, and a scalable model for widespread uptake across North West Europe.
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The development of a circular economy for single use plastic waste and the strengthening of the market for recyclate will bring many benefits to North West Europe. It will help businesses to become independent of virgin and recycled plastic imports, valorise local waste streams, stimulate demand for recycled plastic products, and reduce the environmental impacts associated with the extraction, processing, landfilling and incineration of virgin plastic.
TRANSFORM-CE will not only divert hundreds of tonnes of single use plastic waste from landfill across North West Europe, but will create new circular economy opportunities for businesses, based on demand for recyclate both locally and further afield.
Expected results
1 pilot plant (IEM) in the Netherlands
2 AM facilities in the United Kingdom and Belgium.
Diversion of 308.2 tonnes of plastic over the 3 yrs from landfill/EfW.
An estimated reduction in CO2 of 478 tonnes (based LCA natureline Save Plastics of 1.3kg net CO2 reduction per kg plastic diverted).
20 businesses across NWE will use the IEM/AM technology to embed recycled municipal plastic into the design and manufacturing of new/existing products.
Are you a business interested in being a part of TRANSFORM-CE? Register your interest here!
An important component of the TRANSFORM-CE project is understanding the business context for creating a circular economy for single use plastic waste. To achieve this, several case...
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Meet the Partners: Save Plastics
Posted on 06-05-2021
Save Plastics is an innovative Dutch company that specialises in the recycling of plastic waste into new, value-added products, such as outdoor furniture, decking and planters.
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Circular Waste Management organisations: They are joined by circular waste management organisations bCircular GmbH based in Germany, and Save Plastics in The Netherlands, in partnership with sub-partners Interseroh Dienstleistungs GmbH (DE), and Cirwinn (NL).
Public authority: Public authority, Municipality of Almere, is also a key contributor to the project, having built a Green Plastic Factory in Almere and delivered household plastic waste as a resource. They continue to coordinate project communications.
Member of the advisory board: The following organisations have committed helping the partnership reach the project objective to uptake the CE Plastic Road Map and are members of the advisory board:
Suez Ltd (UK)
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Repic (UK)
The Environment Agency (UK)
Plastiwin (BE)
Wallonia Region (BE)
Province Flevoland (NL)
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency – RVO (DE)
Royal Dutch Waste Management Association – NVRD (DE)
Associated partners: A range of organisations will also share their expertise and experience over the course of the project (associate partners):
In the UK - Entreprise Europe Network, Dyson Ltd, Express Group Ltd, SCALED3D, Greater Manchester Business Support, WRAP. In Germany – Cortec GmbH, Rhein Lahn Kreis AW, MVA Müllverwertungsanlage Bonn GmbH (MVA BN In Belgium - IPIC Plastic, Intercommunale de Développement économique et d'Aménagement du Coeur du Hainaut (IDEA)
This particular webinar is aimed at business support organisations, local, regional and national public authorities, private businesses, and those in the plastic recycling industry. Read More
Save Plastics, which is based in Arnhem, the Netherlands, strongly believes in the circular economy and that there is no such thing as plastic waste. What is commonly seen as plastic waste, Save Plastics sees as a valuable raw material that can be used to make other products. Read More
Join our partner, Save Plastics, in Almere (The Netherlands) as they showcase recycled products manufactured in the TRANSFORM-CE IEM plant as part of this important International Horticultural Expo. Visit https://floriade.com/en/ Read More
TRANSFORM_CE are delighted to be showcased at the Surface Design Show 2022. Innovative sample products and materials made from single use plastic waste will be on display in London from 8th-10th February. Read More
Save the date: November 4th webinar: 'Transform Plastic into valuable products'. The aim of this webinar is to share knowledge and tips and tricks and to talk about/present sollutions on the plastic waste. Read More
On November 10, 2020, Save plastics, the Municipality of Almere, TU Delft and the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences will jointly organise a webinar. We invite you to participate in this webinar to tell you more about our special Transform-CE project and to start a discussion together about transforming plastics into valuable new products. Read More
Interested in the new developments regarding the #circular economy? Then join the 11th International Circular Economy Conference. It will be held on the 28th October as a virtual conference. Read More
Are you a forward-thinking business looking to create positive economic and environmental impact? Join this unique opportunity to hear from the Transform-CE project on transforming single-use plastic into valuable new products. Read More
This report provides an overview of the key themes that arose during Deliverable 2.2 dissemination and discussion workshop with local authorities. This workshop followed the deliverable 2.1 report on collection mechanisms and their effectiveness of plastic waste capture. Attendees were sorted into 4 breakout rooms, dependent on the region they were representing. Discussions concentrated on three main questions relating to plastic waste capture rates and quality potential. Discussions were recorded on a Miro board and shared between all regions after the workshop. Read More
The aim of this report is to conduct a comparative analysis exploring the different collection systems implanted in Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The results obtained will enable the effectiveness of plastic waste capture in each region to be determined, whilst commenting of any potential additional mechanisms required to increase the volume of plastic collected. Read More
This report gives an overview of the regional waste streams containing single use plastics in the project regions and provides clarity over the potential supply of single use plastic waste for the TRANSFORM-CE demonstration plants. Read More
The project partners would like to keep companies, governments and entrepreneurs informed about the progress and developments of Transform-CE. Read More
On 6 October, TRANSFORM-CE hosted a webinar for businesses, government authorities and the general public interested in plastic recycling and the circular economy. Read More
One way to reduce our plastic consumption and build a circular economy in the future is to make today’s children aware of the amount of plastic we use and throw away. Read More
My name is Tobias Gruben. I´m the founder of bCircular, located in Germany. bCircular is a legal entity that is licensed to collect, transport & trade residues and that works closely with regional municipalities and SMEs. Read More
Looking for a great example of how plastic waste can be upcycled using additive manufacturing or ‘3D printing’? A unique, green recycled plastic trophy has been designed, printed and awarded to Typhon Treatment Systems as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme’s ECO I North West. Read More
On behalf of Interreg NW Europe funded project, TRANSFORM-CE, we are pleased to announce the opportunity to join the pilot of the educational programs for primary and secondary schools to learn about the recovery, treatment and recycling of plastic waste. Read More
The Green Plastic Factory is widening its knowledge and expertise in this technology and is making an even greater impact by saving more plastics from incineration. Read More
As part of the TRANSFORM-CE project, several case studies are done to benchmark existing circular economy business models. This document covers the results of the case study conducted at Save Plastics, based in the Netherlands. Read More
As part of the TRANSFORM-CE project, several case studies are done to benchmark existing circular economy business models.
This document covers the results of the case study conducted at Vinventions, based in Belgium. Read More
As part of the TRANSFORM-CE project, several case studies are done to benchmark existing circular economy business models. This document covers the results of the case study into garage2green and EcoWOW, circular products and services developed by Circulogic, based in the UK. Read More
Keter has been using recycled plastic in its products for many years. We had the pleasure of doing a case study about the circularity of its two key brands: Keter (outdoor furniture and storage) and Curver (home organisation). Read More
One of the activities of the TRANSFORM-CE project is researching circular business models of companies. In July 2021 a new law goes into effect, banning many plastic SUP disposables. This has a huge impact on the business of Haval, who has been producing such products for over 35 years. Read More
As part of the TRANSFORM-CE project, several case studies are done with exemplary businesses that have adopted circular business models. One of these companies is Ozarka , who replaces linear, disposable containers with circular, reusable containers. Read More
An important component of the TRANSFORM-CE project is understanding the business context for creating a circular economy for single use plastic waste. To achieve this, several case studies are in the process of being completed with exemplary examples, benchmarking existing circular economy business models, and paving the way forward for wider uptake across the North-west Europe region. One such company is 10XL in the Netherlands. Read More
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Support to Business
If you are looking for solutions in utilising single-use-plastic waste within your business to transition towards a circular economy? Would you like to explore the benefits of additive manufacturing and intrusion-extrusion moulding technologies?
TRANSFORM-CE is offering 20 businesses in-depth, expert support to design new, recycled plastic products and develop innovative circular business models, helping to future-proof their operations. We invite companies to join.
Apply today by contacting circulareconomy@mmu.ac.uk. See attached factsheet about opportunities and benefits.
> Are you a business interested in being a part of TRANSFORM-CE? Register your interest here!
> Researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University have developed new filaments from recycled, post-consumer and traditionally hard to recycle single-use plastics. Request your free trial spool.
Opportunities and benefits
Valorise plastic waste streams by turning these materials into new products for sale
Receive technical support to integrate intrusion-extrusion moulding or additive manufacturing technology within your business
Improve the circularity of in-house prototyping, modelling, visualisation and on-demand production activities by switching to recycled additive manufacturing filaments
Leverage additive manufacturing and recycled filaments to create custom parts and components for sale and service delivery (e.g., repair)
Leverage intrusion-extrusion moulding to design innovative new products from recycled plastic (e.g. roof tiles and playground equipment)
Apply intrusion-extrusion moulding technology to upscale production of recycled plastic products and components
Eligibility
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Registered address and operations in the Netherlands, UK, Germany or Belgium
Entitled to receive De Minimis State Aid
Willing to make use of Single Use Plastic waste
Process
Step 1. Enquiry & Eligibility Check Send your enquiry to CircularEconomy@mmu.ac.uk. We will arrange an informal conversation to ensure we can provide the support you need and to check your eligibility for the programme.
Step 2. Initial Diagnostic An assessment of your business will be conducted, identifying barriers and opportunities for circularity.
Step 3. Circular Product Development We will work closely with you to design new, circular products (or re-design existing products) using recycled single-use-plastic waste and leveraging additive manufacturing and/or intrusion-extrusion moulding technologies.
Step 4. Circular Business Model Development Expert advice will be provided to help you commercialise your new (or redesigned) circular product innovations, creating a successful, circular business model.
Step 5. Recommendations A final assessment will be completed, including key recommendations. Businesses can also access technical support, such as material testing and equipment.
Step 6. Report Results will be written into a succinct, yet informative case study report. Supported businesses will be provided with excellent exposure opportunities across the Netherlands, UK, Germany and Belgium through TRANSFORM-CE.
Contact
Manchester Metropolitan University Lead Partner circulareconomy@mmu.ac.uk
For all press enquiries including logo usage requests, please contact Bureau MVO, Miranda van Oostrom (miranda@bureaumvo.nl).
FAQ
What is Transform-CE
TRANSFORM-CE is an Interreg NW Europe funded project bringing together partners from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium to turn single use plastic waste (SUP) into valuable, new products. To do this, the project is using two innovative technologies: Intrusion Extrusion Moulding (IEM), which is moulding low value, mixed plastic waste into larger products, such as cladding, roof tiles and outdoor furniture, and Additive Manufacturing (AM), where high-grade plastics are separated by material type and extruded into filaments that can be 3D printed into a variety of products. The project is working closely with businesses and stakeholders to support the successful uptake of the solutions developed.
The focus of TRANSFORM-CE is also to support the creation of new, circular products with complementary circular economy business models to ensure that solutions are commercially viable, leading to asignificant diversion of SUP from landfill and incineration, to feedstocks for AM and IEM.
This approach is bringing together SUP waste producers, waste handlers, plastic engineering companies, consumers, public authorities and product manufacturers to provide a closed loop system that is technologically, operationally and commercially viable, securing investment in the creation of additional IEM and AM processing centres, replicating TRANSFORM-CE’s solutions across NWE-regions.
What examples exist of the circular economy in practice?
Circular economy processes and initiatives are already being implemented across North West Europe. View a range of examples from both businesses and project partners.
Please contact Bureau MVO if you would like to publish the Transform-CE logo, stating the name of your media platform and the purpose for which the logo would be used.
Using our content or research
You can use our content if you follow these guidelines: Transform-CE is providing its content on the basis you will respect its rights under copyright and other intellectual property law. You may use; adapt; copy; and/or translate the Transform-CE content provided on its/our website only for educational or personal use, to further You must acknowledge that Transform-CE is the source of the original content by ensuring the correct form of the copyright notice is marked on any use, adaptations, copies or translations of all, or part, of that content. We also ask that you make it clear in your accreditation that it is an unofficial translation by yourselves and you do not suggest or imply that the content has been endorsed or approved by us.
You must not use the content provided to you by Transform-CE in any commercial way or commercially exploit it in any way; use that content for any purpose other than to pursue a fair understanding of the circular economy; interpret or adapt the content in a way which contradicts or perverts its original intent; use that content for any illegal purpose; licence that content; sell that content; rent that content; lease that content; and/or assign or transfer your rights in that content.
The aim of this report is to provide analysis of the crucial factors that affect the future volume of plastic feedstock available for AM and IEM manufacturing uses. It looks at the factors that create the single use plastic environment, to identify how to increase the circularity of plastics through recycling, this reducing the amount that is single use.
The project is also developing new filament formulas to improve performance and add functionality, such as conductivity, flexibility and reinforced strength, as well as conducting a life cycle analysis for the materials and technology.
Identifying business needs and opportunities for a Circular Economy Plastic Road Map. The results in this report form a basis for formulating the CE roadmap, which further examines the needs of companies and the requirements from the industry/other parties in the chain. Seven in-depth workshops are done to achieve an inventory of the various barriers and enablers organisations face with the uptake of recycled plastic feedstock.
Report: Inventory of barriers and enablers for the uptake of recycled plastic
As part of the TRANSFORM-CE project, this report identifies industry and business needs to use recycled materials in production processes. This document combines the outputs of workshops held in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium. The results form a basis for formulating the CE roadmap, which further examines the needs of companies and the requirements from the industry/other parties in the chain.
1) The review of the results from 46 articles demonstrated that factors such as environmental benefits, perceived quality, safety, risks, emotions, and individual differences influence consumer acceptance of products made from recycled materials. The present review presents the state-of-the-art of the existing literature and future potential directions that can be fruitful for academics and practitioners interested in the topic.
Report: Consumer acceptance of products made from recycled materials: A scoping review
Consumers have a positive attitude towards products made from recycled materials; however, they frequently
end up not purchasing them. To shed light on the factors that influence consumer preferences and acceptance of
products made from recycled materials, a scoping review was conducted with the following objectives: (1) to
explore which factors are drivers of the acceptance of products made from recycled materials, (2) to identify and
analyse potential barriers for their adoption, and (3) to formulate recommendations for future research in order
to further enhance choices of alternatives made from recycled materials.
2) How can companies increase the appeal of recycled plastics to consumers? In this paper, we propose a set of seven guidelines intended to highlight the value of products made from recycled plastics, tackle any perceived risks, and thereby enhance consumer acceptance of such products. Specifically, we highlight how aspects related to product design, marketing elements and business models, can increase consumer evaluations and adoption of products made from recycled plastics. The proposed guidelines provide future directions that could be inspiring for both academics and managers interested in the topics of consumer behaviour, circular economy, and sustainability.
Report: Guidelines to Foster Consumer Acceptance of Products Made from Recycled Plastics
3) This study presented eight business requirements that require actions from other actors in the value chain: design for recycling, optimised waste processing, standardisation, material knowledge, showing possibilities, information and education, cooperation, and regulation and government intervention. The main scientific contributions were the value chain perspective and the applied relevance of the findings. Future studies may delve deeper into the individual factors identified.
Report: Understanding Business Requirements for Increasing the Uptake of Recycled Plastic: A Value Chain Perspective
