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.
Newsletter
Would you like to receive this future newsletters? Then sign up for the mailing list now via this link.
Manchester Metropolitan University (the University) use the information you submit on this form to register your interest in TRANSFORM-CE. Information you provide will be retained for as long as necessary in order to progress your specific enquiry, and in any case no later than 31st December 2026. We rely on the legitimate interests lawful basis to process your information in this way. Please be aware that we work with organisations such as Microsoft to compile expressions of interest in this scheme, who act as processors. If you have any queries about how the University use your data please contact circulareconomy@mmu.ac.ukin the first instance. Information on how to contact the University’s data protection officer, and details on how to exercise any of your data subject rights under the data protection legislation can be found athttps://www.mmu.ac.uk/data-protection/data-subject-rights. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if you are dissatisfied with how we use your personal data.
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...
Read more
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.
Read more
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
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
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
The project partners would like to keep companies, governments and entrepreneurs informed about the progress and developments of Transform-CE. Read More
Our team focuses on the Material Flow Analysis and Business Uptake work packages. For the Material Flow Analysis work package, I assess waste flows that are rich in single-use plastics in the four partner regions. Read More
On 17 March, TRANSFORM-CE hosted a webinar for businesses, government authorities and the general public interested in plastic recycling and the circular economy. The webinar was opened by Dr David Greenfield of SOENECS, who welcomed guests from all over Europe. Read More
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a process in which materials are built up layer by layer to create an object. This is in contrast to other, subtractive manufacturing processes, where an object is cut, milled or carved from a block of material. Read More
Materia Nova, a partner in the TRANSFORM-CE project, is a technology and innovation research center with offices in Belgium and Germany. Materia Nova specialises in process development, material innovation, and smart, connected devices that serve a wide range of industries. Read More
The Floriade is an international horticultural exhibition that is only held once every 10 years in the Netherlands. This is the seventh time that the exhibition is being held in the Netherlands, this time in a fabulous location in Almere. Read More
The Circular Awards are annual awards in the Netherlands in association with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management awarded to companies, government bodies and individuals in different categories. Read More
Researchers from @Manchester Metropolitan University have developed new filaments from recycled, post-consumer and traditionally hard to recycle single-use plastics. Read More
As part of the TRANSFORM-CE project, the Green Plastic Factory in Almere (the Netherlands) received a shipment of 4.5 tonnes of low-quality plastic waste from Materia Nova in Belgium. In the near future, shipments will also be sent from TRANSFORM-CE partners in Germany and the United Kingdom. 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
Follow us on
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.
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.
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.
Inventory of barriers and enablers for the uptake of recycled plastic
