MaReK

MaReK

Marker-Based Sorting and Recycling System for Plastic Packaging
Coordinator

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Lang-Koetz und Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Woidasky,
Hochschule Pforzheim University,
Institute of Industrial Ecology/ INEC
Tiefenbronner Straße 65
75175 Pforzheim
Phone: 07231/28-6427 bzw. -6489
e-mail: claus.lang-koetz@hs-pforzheim.de; joerg.woidasky@hs-pforzheim.de

Duration Period
July 2017
December 2020
Beschreibung

The goal of this project is to set up a markerbased system for sorting and recycling that involves every stage from packaging development and sorting technology to high quality material reuse. The MaRek project demonstrates the usefulness of fluorescent markers for waste management applications. TBS technology, developed and patented by project partner Polysecure, will be piloted and tested in an industrially relevant context as a solution for the challenges of sorting Large Volume Parenterals (LVP) in particular. This will contribute to fulfilment of the requirement of the new packaging law that a higher proportion of waste is recycled. The project will investigate pace, effectiveness, and economic performance of sorting various waste constellations of waste collection under framework conditions applicable to industry. The project addresses the entire value chain of the packaging lifecycle – from design, to process development for marker application and sorting, to material reclamation. The results will lead to new approaches in packaging governance, which will be worked out with relevant stakeholders – together with the technical results of the project, these will serve as a basis for a more sustainable packaging use in the medium term.

Main areas of work

  • Representative recycling of lightweight plastic packaging including determination of the technical residual value (material properties) and the added value potential
  • New or further development and industrial testing of the "tracer-based sorting" method with real batches from separate collection (pilot plant), for this purpose further development of tracer and detection technology
  • Applied innovation research for the  investigation of drivers and obstacles of the developed technology and their application in the complex structure of stakeholders
  • Comprehensive analysis of energy and material flows and an assessment of possible environmental impacts of the developed technology taking into account the life cycle perspective

WP 1 Packaging design and supply

Contact person
Immo Sander, Werner & Mertz GmbH, Rheinallee 96, 55120 Mainz, e-mail: isander@werner-mertz.com

Project partner
Der Grüne Punkt – Duales System Deutschland, INEC – Pforzheim University, Polysecure

Short description
Development and provision of plastic packaging marked with markers from the non-food sector for the subsequent tests as well as the derivation of transferability potentials for further areas of application.

WP 2 Marker technology

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Bryce S. Richards, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, e-mail: bryce.richards@kit.edu

Project partner
Polysecure

Short description
Adaptation of the fluorescence markers to the intended application.

WP 3 TBS sorting technology

Contact person
Jochen Moesslein, Polysecure GmbH, Engesserstr. 4a, 79108 Freiburg, e-mail: jochen.moesslein@polysecure.eu

Project partner
Der Grüne Punkt – Duales System Deutschland, INEC – Pforzheim University

Short description
Development of a TBS sorting machine for packaging including construction of a sorting pilot plant (sorting machine plus material feed and discharge as well as inline sensors).

WP 4 Sorting tests

Contact person
Stefan Wiethoff, Der Grüne Punkt – Duales System Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurter Straße 720–726, 51145 Köln (Porz-Eil), e-mail: stefan.wiethoff@gruener-punkt.de

Project partner
INEC – Pforzheim University, Polysecure, Werner & Mertz

Short description
Large-scale validation tests including determination of the quality and material properties of the sorted fractions.

WP 5 Innovation and sustainability analysis

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Lang-Koetz, Pforzheim University, Institute of Industrial Ecology, Tiefenbronner Straße 65, 75175 Pforzheim, e-mail: claus.lang-koetz@hs-pforzheim.de

Project partner
With the cooperation of all partners

Short description
Development of an energy and material flow model (economic, ecological, technical) and determination of the ecological and economic framework conditions as well as drivers and obstacles for a successful process on the market.

WP 6 Development of governance approaches

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Lang-Koetz, Pforzheim University, Institute of Industrial Ecology, Tiefenbronner Straße 65, 75175 Pforzheim, e-mail: claus.lang-koetz@hs-pforzheim.de

Project partner
With the cooperation of all partners

Short description
Development of stakeholder-specific approaches to increase recycling rates and to improve material flow quality.

WP 7 Transfer of results and external impact

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Woidasky, Pforzheim University, Institute of Industrial Ecology, Tiefenbronner Straße 65, 75175 Pforzheim, e-mail: joerg.woidasky@hs-pforzheim.de

Project partner
With the cooperation of all partners

Short description
Informing the public about the results.

( top of page )( zum Seitenanfang )