Value chain

Factsheet 2: Wertvoller Alt-Kunststoff - Schwimmende Recyclinganlage verwertet Plastik bevor er ins Meer gelangt

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 09:18:56 +0000

Factsheet 2: Valuable waste plastic - Floating recycling plant recovers plastics before they enter the sea janna.vakili@e… Fri, 03/05/2021 - 10:18

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Beschreibung

In this factsheet, joint project KuWert shows how plastic recycling can be profitable. The research team developed a floating recycling platform, mobile and independent of local structures. The system was tested in coastal cities in West Africa, where a lot of plastic ends up in the sea.

Since high-quality plastic recyclate can only be obtained from clean and pre-sorted old plastic, the team worked with a large number of plastic collectors on land and processors on board. This not only created employment, but also prevented over 60,000 tons of plastic per year from ending up in the oceans. At the same time, value chains were established and a contribution made to climate protection.

The contents of the factsheet are based on research results of the joint project KuWert "Ship-based treatment of plastics for the implementation of value chains". It is available here for PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 2 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Further Links

Verbundprojekt KuWert

Joint project

KuWert

Year

2021

Author

Fridtjof Rohde

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Rohde, Fridtjof (2021): Valuable waste plastic: Floating recycling plant recovers plastics before they enter the sea. Fact sheet 2 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Factsheet 1: Plastikverpackungen - Welche Einsparmöglichkeiten gibt es beim Kleiderkauf?

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:38:16 +0000

Factsheet 1: Plastic Packaging - What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes? janna.vakili@e… Wed, 02/10/2021 - 14:38

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Beschreibung

The first factsheet of the research focus is dealing with the question of how consumers can save plastic when buying clothes. It is often difficult to know how much plastic is produced along the textile value chain, before a product arrives in the store. Due to this lack of visibility, it is usually not possible for consumers to estimate the actual amount of packaging of a garment and to act accordingly. The factsheet picks up on this issue and explains at which points in the supply chain plastic packaging waste is generated. It also discusses the role of industry and consumers in this context and points out avoidance strategies.

The contents of the factsheet are based on research results of the joint project VerPlaPoS. The factsheet is available here for PDF download.

Attachments

Factsheet 1 of the BMBF Research Focus Plastics in the Environment.

Joint project

VerPlaPoS

Year

2021

Type of Result

factsheets

Citation

Decker, Thomas; Lippl, Maria; Frommeyer, Britta; Koch, Julia; von Gehlen, Kristina; Tornow, Maren; Habermehl, Tabea; Niedermeier, Andreas (2021): Plastic Packaging: What are the possibilities for reducing waste when buying clothes? Fact sheet 1 of the BMBF research focus „Plastics in the Environment“.

Publikationstyp

Ergebnis

Querschnittsthema

QST 4

Umweltproblem Plastikverpackung

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 11:07:11 +0000

Environmental problem: plastic packaging janna.vakili@e… Tue, 11/24/2020 - 12:07

Untertitel

Emergence in Germany and environmental impact

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Beschreibung

Numerous one- to two-person households, an increase in mail-order business as well as the popular "to-go" culture are causing a steady rise in the consumption of plastic packaging in Germany. While approximately 1.8 million tons of plastic were produced per year in 2000, this figure had already risen to 3.1 million tons by 2016. Plastic packaging and the environmental consequences of plastic production and consumption are currently of high importance on the political agenda – yet, increased social awareness of the problem has done little to counter plastic consumption so far.

This article by Doris Knoblauch and Hannes Schritt (both Ecologic Institute) is part of the anthology "Einfach weglassen? Ein wissenschaftliches Lesebuch zur Reduktion von Plastikverpackungen im Lebensmittelhandel" (Simply Omit? A Scientific Reader on the Reduction of Plastic Packaging in the Food Trade). It deals with the emergence of plastic packaging in Germany and its known environmental impacts. The authors demonstrate that there is a close correlation between the amount of plastic packaging produced and the gross domestic product (GDP) - which, interestingly, is stronger than the correlation between GDP and packaging overall. In this context, avoidance strategies and improvement options for the circular economy are discussed.

Furthermore, an overview of input pathways and main input sources of plastic into the environment is given. The state of knowledge on the effects of plastic on the environment and the human body is presented. It becomes clear that there are still research deficits, especially with regard to microplastics.

The publication is available on this website.

Further Links

Ecologic Institute

Link to publication (in German)

ISBN

978-3-96238-243-8

Year

2020

Author

Doris Knoblauch

Hannes Schritt

Authors

Type of Result

(scientific) publications (peer-review, essays, book chapters, poster etc.)

Citation

Knoblauch, Doris; Schritt, Hannes (2020): Umweltproblem Plastikverpackung.Aufkommen in Deutschland und Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt. In: Kröger, Melanie; Pape, Jens; Wittwer, Alexandra (Hrsg.) (2020): Einfach weglassen? Ein wissenschaftliches Lesebuch zur Reduktion von Plastikverpackungen im Lebensmittelhandel. ISBN: 978-3-96238-243-8. Oekom Verlag, München.

Tags

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Polymer

Recyclate

Recycling

Environmental sustainability

Publikationstyp

Verpackungsaufkommen und regulative Rahmenbedingungen

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:41:38 +0000

Packaging volume and regulatory framework linda.mederake… Tue, 02/04/2020 - 15:41

Untertitel

background paper

Titelbild

Beschreibung

This background paper was developed within the framework of the Innoredux joint research project and describes which materials shape the volume of packaging and packaging waste in Germany. Moreover, the paper outlines the most important German and European legal regulations relating to packaging in the context of the project. In addition, a glossary has been compiled to explain and define important terms.

The analysis of the packaging volume shows that not only plastic packaging, but also packaging made of paper, cardboard and paperboard has been subject to a continuous increase in consumption over the last 15 years. In terms of volume, this trend is even more pronounced for paper, cardboard and paperboard than for plastic packaging. For this reason, both material groups are in the focus of Innoredux.

Further Links

Download background paper (in German)

Joint project

Innoredux

Year

2020

Author

Andreas Detzel

Type of Result

discussion papers & status papers

Citation

Detzel, A. unter Mitarbeit von Rubik, F., Bick, C., Schmidt, S., Kitzberger, M., Holewik, C. (2020): Verpackungsaufkommen und regulative Rahmenbedingungen, background paper of the joint research project Innoredux.

Tags

Publikationstyp

Querschnittsthema

Innoredux

Stephan.Guertler — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 10:30:10 +0000

Innoredux Stephan.Guertler Fri, 02/15/2019 - 11:30

Business Models for Reducing Plastic Waste along the Value Chain: Paths to Innovative Trends in Retailing

The idea and goal of Innoredux was to develop and implement innovative packaging solutions in distance and stationary retailing using a living lab research approach in order to avoid or reduce plastic waste along the value chain.

The subject of investigation and the focus of research were innovations in trade for waste prevention and reduction within the framework of business models and the underlying value chains. The potential of their expansion from niches into the mainstream was investigated. The project focussed on reduction measures through a more efficient use of materials, substitution (alternative ecologically compatible materials) and through influencing consumers' decision-making behaviour in purchasing. Such innovative reduction measures can contribute significantly to the reduction of plastic discharges into the environment and at the same time generate competitive advantages.

In a living lab in the city of Heidelberg, business models were tested and implemented in cooperation with a number of partners from the retail sector and civil society. On the basis of the results of the living lab, guidelines for municipalities and companies were developed. The project focused on four product groups: food, cosmetics, office supplies and textiles.

Main areas of work

Analysis of interdependencies and decision-making processes along the value chain (production - trade - consumption)
Development of innovative business models to avoid packaging
Testing of innovative approaches for low-plastic packaging in a living lab in Heidelberg
Balancing the ecological, economic and social impacts of the business models identified as innovative
Development and dissemination of guidelines for companies and municipalities

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1 Developing a typology of plastic waste prevention business models through innovative packaging solutions

Contact person

Dr. Frieder Rubik, Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), Bergstraße 7, 69120 Heidelberg
e-mail: frieder.rubik@ioew.de

Project partners

ifeu, Alnatura, Annas Unverpacktes Heidelberg, Avocado Store, dm, Memo, Unverpackt e. V., Zalando

Short description

In a first step, existing business models that contribute to the reduction of packaging (especially plastic packaging) along the value chain were examined and categorised. The project partners analysed existing innovative, instructive and plastic-reducing solutions with a strong leverage effect and estimated the reduction potential via quantity balances (waste types, waste quantities, etc.).

WP 2 Balancing, identification of best practices and success factors

Contact person

Dr. Pauline Riousset, Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), Potsdamerstraße 105, 10785 Berlin
e-mail: pauline.riousset@ioew.de

Project partners

ifeu, Alnatura, Annas Unverpacktes Heidelberg, Avocado Store, BUND, BUND Heidelberg, dm, Memo, City of Heidelberg, Unverpackt e. V., Zalando

Short description

This work package analysed the ecological, social and economic impacts of business model innovations and identifies their success factors. To this end, key data and model examples were collected as preparatory work for the company checklists and the handbook for a municipal concept for comprehensive plastic prevention and reduction (so-called "conceptual handbook for municipalities"; WP 4). The potential impact of municipal support was assessed.

WP 3 Design of options for action and testing in a living lab

Contact person

Dr. Frieder Rubik, Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), Bergstraße 7, 69120 Heidelberg
e-mail: frieder.rubik@ioew.de

Project partners

ifeu, Alnatura, Annas Unverpacktes Heidelberg, Avocado Store, BUND, BUND Heidelberg, dm, Memo, City of Heidelberg, Unverpackt e. V., Zalando

Short description

This work package included the implementation of a living lab with retail companies, the City of Heidelberg, BUND and consumers. Here, a strategy to reduce plastic waste, consisting of suggestions to improve business models and support from municipalities, was developed and tested.
Case studies: A living lab was conducted, i. e. a geographically and temporally defined testing area was created in which knowledge was exchanged, strategic partnerships were generated and solutions were tested. Together with the associated partners, the objectives and intention of the intervention/experiments and questions were defined (co-design) before options for action were developed and adapted and tested in a strategy for the local context of Heidelberg. The effects of the living lab were evaluated during the process.

WP 4 Strategy development and development of company checklists and conceptual guidelines for municipalities

Contact person

Dr. Pauline Riousset, Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), Potsdamerstraße 105, 10785 Berlin
e-mail: pauline.riousset@ioew.de

Project partners

ifeu, Alnatura, Annas Unverpacktes Heidelberg, Avocado Store, BUND, BUND Heidelberg, dm, Memo, City of Heidelberg, Unverpackt e. V., Zalando

Short description

The living lab results from WP 3 were transferred into the context of the considered product groups and the existing strategies are revised. The research results were used to develop company checklists and a conceptual handbook for municipalities and the dissemination phase were prepared (cf. WP 5).

WP 5 Dissemination of results

Contact person

Dr. Frieder Rubik, Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), Bergstraße 7, 69120 Heidelberg
e-mail: frieder.rubik@ioew.de

Project partner

ifeu

Short description

The transdisciplinary research approach required a reciprocal, project-accompanying transfer of knowledge and results. Therefore, an integrative work package was planned that encompasses all project work and affects all actors. In this work package, the focus was on describing the communication measures on the basis of the analysis of target groups and goals. The communication measures were based on the pillars "Information" - "Best Practice" - "Training" - "Imitation".

Coordinator

Dr. Frieder Rubik
Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW)
Bergstraße 7
69120 Heidelberg
Phone: +49 6221-64916-6
e-mail: frieder.rubik@ioew.de

Website

www.plastik-reduzieren.de

Partner Institutions

ifeu – Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg

Associated Partners

Alnatura GmbH

Annas Unverpacktes Heidelberg

Avocado Store GmbH

Friends of the Earth Germany / BUND

Friends of the Earth Baden-Württemberg, Group in the District of Heidelberg / BUND Heidelberg

dm-drogerie markt GmbH & Co. KG / dm

Duration Period

February 2019

January 2022

Project sheet

Project-sheet-Innoredux-2019.pdf

Koordinator label

Coordinator

European Maritime Day 2019

hannes.schritt@ecologic.eu — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 15:19:04 +0000

European Maritime Day 2019 hannes.schritt… Wed, 11/07/2018 - 16:19

Untertitel

Meeting Point on Maritime Affairs and Blue Growth

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Beschreibung

The European Maritime Day is the annual EU meeting point on maritime affairs and blue growth. It targets maritime professionals, entrepreneurs and ocean leaders.

Focus of the event and exhibition will be on blue entrepreneurship, innovation and investment.

Location

Lisbon, Portugal

Date

16 - 17 May 2019

16. - 17. Mai 2019

Further Links

Website of Event

Image Gallery

Tags

Sea

Value chain

Date sort

Thu, 05/16/2019 - 12:00

Hide on overview

Aus

KuWert

KALEH — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 16:12:48 +0000

KuWert KALEH Tue, 12/19/2017 - 17:12

Ship-Based Treatment of Plastics for the Implementation of Value Chains in Less Developed Countries as well as for the Prevention of Plastic Inputs into the Environment and Especially in Marine Ecosystems

The aim of the project was to develop concepts and preliminary planning for the implementation of an infrastructure for the collection, ship-based treatment, and marketing of plastic waste in order to reduce the input of plastic waste into the environment and marine ecosystems. The project's target regions were primarily less developed countries in the Global South. Using West Africa as an example, strategies for reducing the input of plastics (in this case macroplastics) into the environment were researched, because the input of macroplastics into the environment is particularly high when functioning waste collection and disposal systems are lacking. Stakeholder dialogues were conducted to assess whether a commodity chain based on plastic recyclates is possible on the West African coast. A prototype model ship was developed and used to determine costs.

Main areas of work

Data collection, analysis and evaluation (local conditions in less developed countries)
Preliminary planning of waste treatment plants
Design of a concept for suitable ship and plant technology
Development of strategies for the implementation of value chains in less developed countries
Analysis and evaluation of results (economic, ecological)

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1 Basic evaluation – recording of plastic waste

Contact person
Dr. Martin Wittmaier, IEKrW, Neustadtswall 30, 28199 Bremen, e-mail: wittmaier-office@hs-bremen.de

Project partner
TECHNOLOG, Nehlsen, University of Mauritius, University of Sierra Leone

Short description
It was of utmost importance for the processing of the entire project to gain knowledge of the composition of the plastic waste that potentially was collected in less developed countries. To this end, data and information (types, qualities, quantities, framework conditions, logistics, etc.) were first collected, analysed and evaluated, including on site in the example countries Sierra Leone and Mauritius.

WP 2 Pre-design of a treatment and recovery plant

Contact person
Dr. Sven Rausch, Nehlsen GmbH & Co. KG, Wilhelm-Karmann-Str. 5, 28237 Bremen, e-mail: sven.rausch@nehlsen.com

Project partner
TECHNOLOG, IEKrW, University of Mauritius, University of Sierra Leone

Short description
In this WP, waste treatment plants were planned in various variants. For this purpose, national and international framework conditions connected with the construction and operation of the ship-based facilities to be developed were determined. Various known procedures were evaluated and tested for their suitability, as were requirements for operation, maintenance and repair. On this basis, the objectives for the treatment of plastic waste were defined, followed by the development of conceptual designs.

WP 3 Concept development (ship and plant engineering)

Contact person
Fridtjof Rohde, TECHNOLOG, Vorsetzen 50, 20459 Hamburg, e-mail: fridtjof.rohde@tlg-services.biz

Project partner
IEKrW, Nehlsen

Short description
Preliminary designs for up to three variants of carrier vessels/semi-submersibles for the treatment of plastic waste were developed with alternative shipbound logistics concepts. Rough planning included room planning and process-oriented arrangement of facilities, equipment for maritime technology, equipment for waste treatment plants, etc. The production costs and energy requirements were also determined and the variants were compared economically.

WP 4 Marketing potential of secondary raw materials

Contact person
Dr. Sven Rausch, Nehlsen GmbH & Co. KG, Wilhelm-Karmann-Straße 5, 28237 Bremen, e-mail: sven.rausch@nehlsen.com

Project partner
IEKrW, TECHNOLOG

Short description
The market for secondary raw materials was examined, since these are fundamentally valuable. Tradeable products from plastic waste were identified and the quality requirements to be met specified. Possible revenues were also estimated. The resulting technical requirements for processing technology and quality management were taken into account in the other WPs. Based on the results, strategies for the most economical processing and marketing of products made from plastic waste were developed.

WP 5 Profitability analysis and life cycle assessment

Contact person
Dr. Martin Wittmaier, IEKrW, Neustadtswall 30, 28199 Bremen, e-mail: wittmaier-office@hs-bremen.de

Project partner
TECHNOLOG, Nehlsen

Short description
The concepts and preliminary planning for the ship-based collection, processing and marketing of plastic waste from less developed countries developed in the project were evaluated under economic and ecological aspects. On the basis of the results, the ecological advantages (reduction of the input of plastics into the environment, protection of resources by recycling plastic waste) were determined. The evaluation of the economic efficiency was intended to assess the chances of realisation and provide a planning framework for potential investors, funding providers and operators of a ship-based collection and treatment plant for plastic waste.

WP 6 Project management, public relations, recycling concept

Contact person
Fridtjof Rohde, TECHNOLOG, Vorsetzen 50, 20459 Hamburg, e-mail: fridtjof.rohde@tlg-services.biz

Project partner
IEKrW, Nehlsen

Short description
Within the framework of WP 6, work was carried out on internal and external communication (project meetings, workshops, communication between national and international partners including maintaining contacts with interested shipping companies/shipowners, public relations, etc.) and project management (administrative and content-related reporting, work and progress control and coordination, etc.).

Coordinator

Fridtjof Rohde
TECHNOLOG Services GmbH
Vorsetzen 50
20459 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 7070768-20
e-mail: fridtjof.rohde@tlg-services.biz

Website

http://www.KuWert.hs-bremen.de

Partner Institutions

Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Energy, Recycling and Environmental Protection / IEKrW

Nehlsen GmbH & Co. KG

Duration Period

August 2017

December 2019

Tags

Waste reduction

Waste management

Methodology of analyses

Environmental accounting

Optimization process

Plastic littering

Reduction of plastic use

Polyamide (PA)

Polyester

Polyethylene (PE)

High density polyethylene PE-HD

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Resource conservation

Risk assessment

Secondary raw materials

Sorting

Stakeholder

Material flow managment

Project sheet

13_Projektblatt_KUWERT_ENG_2018.pdf

Koordinator label

Coordinator

MaReK

KALEH — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 16:01:40 +0000

MaReK KALEH Tue, 12/19/2017 - 17:01

Marker-Based Sorting and Recycling System for Plastic Packaging

The goal of this project was 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 demonstrated the usefulness of fluorescent markers for waste management applications. For this purpose, the use of the TBS technology developed and patented by the project partner Polysecure was piloted as a possible solution and then tested in an industry-relevant way, especially for the sorting of plastic packaging (LVP). The speed, effectiveness and economic efficiency of sorting different compositions of the collection fractions were investigated under industry-relevant boundary conditions. The project addressed the entire value chain of the packaging life cycle from design to process development for marker application and sorting to recovery of the materials. Approaches to a new packaging governance were elaborated with the relevant stakeholders and, in the medium term, should serve as a basis for more sustainable packaging use in addition to the technical results of the project. In this way, the developed process can make an important contribution to increasing the recycling rate required by the new packaging law.

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

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

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.

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

Website

https://www.hs-pforzheim.de/en/research/research_institutes/inec/projects/marek

Partner Institutions

Polysecure GmbH

Werner & Mertz GmbH

Der Grüne Punkt – Duales System Deutschland GmbH

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Microstructure Technology / KIT-IMT

Associated Partners

Umwelttechnik BW GmbH, State Agency for Environmental Technology and Resource Efficiency Baden-Württemberg / UTBW

Subcontractor

CMO-SYS GmbH

Nägele Mechanik GmbH

Duration Period

July 2017

December 2020

Tags

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

High density polyethylene PE-HD

Recyclate

Recycling

Secondary raw materials

Material flow managment

Fluorescence marker-based sorting technology

Project sheet

12_Projektblatt_MaReK_ENG_2018.pdf

Koordinator label

Coordinator

revolPET

KALEH — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 15:53:14 +0000

revolPET KALEH Tue, 12/19/2017 - 16:53

Development of a Recycling Technology for PET Waste Plastics from Multilayer Material and Other Waste Composites

As part of the revolPET project, a solvolytic recycling process for waste PET plastics (Polyethylene Terephthalate) from multilayer and other mixed materials was elaborated and experimentally tested. Inactive patents for solvolysis of single-variety PET waste formed the basis for this research: those solvolytic processes were be enhanced into a continuous waste treatment concept that can recycle PET waste. This enabled the recycling of the PET materials present in the mixed waste and the separation of differing amounts of interfering substances, with the latter being redirected to other uses. The recycling process generates the basic components of PET: monoethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. The flexibility of the process enables sorting of waste from very inhomogenous materials sources such as marine and technical PET wastes. The new recycling process was tested and evaluated in a pilot plant. The data from this testing is included into continuous economic and ecological assessments of the procedure and its integration into the value chain.

Main areas of work

Development of the technical basis for continuous solvolysis
Operation of the pilot plant for experimental development and technological validation of the solvolysis process
Development of a mass and energy balances of the continuous processing methods (for pure and mixed PET waste)
Development of a model-based tool for the analysis and assessment of environmental impacts
Determination of market requirements with regard to recycling routes and required specifications for new streams of recyclable materials
Opening up new sources of supply for PET waste composites from post-consumer collections and technical applications

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1 Basic research, process and apparatus design

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stephan Scholl, Technical University of Braunschweig, Institute for Chemical and Thermal Process Engineering, Langer Kamp 7, 38106 Braunschweig, e-mail: s.scholl@tu-braunschweig.de

Project partner
Fraunhofer ICT, Reclay Materials GmbH, RITTEC Umwelttechnik GmbH, SCHILLER Apparatebau GmbH, VTU Engineering Deutschland GmbH

Short description
The technical fundamentals for continuous solvolysis of initially pure PET to multilayer and mixed PET were developed. The data served as the basis for the planning, design, construction and commissioning of a modular pilot plant, which enabled investigations of different apparatus.

WP 2 Pilot studies

Contact person
Carsten Eichert, RITTEC Umwelttechnik GmbH, Feldstraße 29, 21335 Lüneburg, e-mail: eichert@rittec.eu

Project partner
Fraunhofer ICT, TU Braunschweig ICTV, Reclay Materials GmbH, SCHILLER Apparatebau GmbH, VTU Engineering Deutschland GmbH

Short description
The central experimental elaboration and technological validation of the solvolysis process took place through the operation of the pilot plant. The process engineering solutions found in the basic investigations in WP 1 were implemented here. First, PET of a higher purity was processed. For this purpose, the continuous operation is represented. The final goal was the continuous operation of the pilot plant for mixed PET waste streams.

WP 3 Accounting and multi-criteria rating

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Herrmann, Technical University of Braunschweig, Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology, Langer Kamp 19B, 38106 Braunschweig, e-mail: c.herrmann@tu-braunschweig.de

Project partner
TU Braunschweig ICTV, RITTEC Umwelttechnik GmbH, Reclay Materials GmbH

Short description
The aim was to establish a closed and consistent mass and energy balance of the continuous processing method (for single-variety and mixed PET waste) parallel to the experimental development of the recycling process. This was first created for the continuous operation of the pilot plant, compared with the operating data and then scaled to potential market scenarios. Based on the formulated requirements and the data from the pilot plant, a model-based tool for the analysis and evaluation of environmental impacts was developed.

WP 4 Market analysis and technology implementation

Contact person
Carsten Eichert, RITTEC Umwelttechnik GmbH, Feldstraße 29, 21335 Lüneburg, e-mail: eichert@rittec.eu

Project partner
Fraunhofer ICT, TU Braunschweig ICTV, TU Braunschweig IWF, Reclay Materials GmbH, SCHILLER Apparatebau GmbH, VTU Engineering Deutschland GmbH

Short description
The market requirements with regard to recycling routes and required specifications for new streams of recyclable materials was determined. By means of potential analysis, the proportion of recyclable technical waste in machine tools and industrial plants in Germany was also estimated. Based on this, new sources of supply for PET waste composites from post-consumer collections and technical applications was developed. New potential partners for the implementation of the newly developed solvolysis process in the value chain and the new disposal channels was identified.

Coordinator

Carsten Eichert
RITTEC Umwelttechnik GmbH
Feldstraße 29
21335 Lüneburg
Phone: +49 4131 - 408 55 44
e-mail: eichert@rittec.eu

Website

https://revolpet.eu/?lang=en

Partner Institutions

Technical University of Braunschweig

Institute for Chemical and Thermal Process Engineering / ICTV

Institute of Machine Tools and Production Technology / IWF

Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering / ICT

Reclay Materials GmbH

SCHILLER Apparatebau GmbH

VTU Engineering Deutschland GmbH

Duration Period

October 2017

March 2021

Tags

Fluorescence marker-based sorting technology

Industry

Industrial emissions

Consumption

Life Cycle Assessment

Environmental accounting

Optimization process

Plastic littering

Polyester

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Resource conservation

Secondary raw materials

Solvolysis

Sorting

Material flow managment

Project sheet

11_Projektblatt_solvoPET_ENG_2018.pdf

Koordinator label

Coordinator

PlastikBudget

KALEH — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 14:22:16 +0000

PlastikBudget KALEH Tue, 12/19/2017 - 15:22

Development of Budget Approach and LCA Impact Assessment Methodology for the Governance of Plastics in the Environment

In order to legitimise political decisions on the problem of plastic emissions into the environment, it is necessary to formulate a quantitative emission target. The budget approach for plastic emissions was developed within the framework of this project. The research work was guided by the following questions: What amount of plastics in the environment is still acceptable? How long are plastics present in the environment until they are completely degraded? How can a global budget derived from answering these two questions be equitably shared by national per capita budgets? The aim of the project was not to establish a budget itself, but to show ways of deriving it from empirically verified data and normative values. This creates a basis for future political decision-making processes. However, consistent governance also requires that the plastic emissions of various products, processes and consumption practices are accounted for in terms of quantity released and downstream environmental impacts. The second part of the project consisted of developing an impact assessment methodology in order to adequately take plastic emissions into account in life cycle analyses.

Main areas of work

Sources and sinks, history and dynamics of the plastic inputs into the environment
Use of various participation formats to discuss the issue of plastic emissions with stakeholders
Development of a budget approach for plastic emissions
Development of a method for the integration of plastic emissions in life cycle assessments
Dissemination and anchoring of results in politics, society, economy and science

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1 Review and discussion on the state of knowledge on plastic inputs into the environment

Contact persons
Jürgen Bertling, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Osterfelder Straße 3, 46047 Oberhausen, e-mail: juergen.bertling@umsicht.fraunhofer.de

Dr. Steven Engler and Anna Bönisch, KWI, Goethestraße 31, 45128 Essen, e-mail: steven.engler@kwi-nrw.de,anna.boenisch@kwi-nrw.de

Short description
WP 1 focuses on the scientific, technical, ecological and economic as well as on the socio-cultural aspects. Furthermore, this work package develops the participation programmes in the project in detail.

WP 2 Development of a budget approach for plastic emissions

Contact persons
Jürgen Bertling, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Osterfelder Straße 3, 46047 Oberhausen, e-mail: juergen.bertling@umsicht.fraunhofer.de

Dr. Steven Engler and Anna Bönisch, KWI, Goethestraße 31, 45128 Essen, e-mail: steven.engler@kwi-nrw.de, anna.boenisch@kwi-nrw.de

Short description
WP 2 involves researching and developing a budget approach for plastic emissions as well as conducting a stakeholder dialogue on the approach. Moreover, this work package will utilise outreach dialogue with citizens and a living lab.

WP 3 Development of an impact assessment method for the integration of the plastic emissions in life cycle analysis

Contact person
Dr. Daniel Maga and Nils Thonemann, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Osterfelder Straße 3, 46047 Oberhausen, e-mail:daniel.maga@umsicht.fraunhofer.de, nils.thonemann@umsicht.fraunhofer.de

Short description
WP 3 will focus on research and elaboration of existing impact assessment methods. Additional focus will be on understanding the relationship between impact assessment methodology and the budget approach. For these purposes, expert dialogues and workshops will be conducted.

WP 4 Dissemination and establishing budget approaches and impact assessments for plastic emissions in science, politics and society

Contact person
Miriam Wienhold, KWI, Goethestraße 31, 45128 Essen, e-mail: miriam.wienhold@kwi-nrw.de

Short description
WP 4 will involve selecting actors for the various dialogue formats and developing a socially robust communication strategy. Conferences and debates will be held with an overarching focus on public relations for this project.

Coordinator

Jürgen Bertling
Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT,
Products Division, Department of Sustainability and Resource Management,
Osterfelder Straße 3
46047 Oberhausen
Phone: +49 208/8598-1168
e-mail: juergen.bertling@umsicht.fraunhofer.de

Website

https://www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de/en/projects/plasticbudget.html

Partner Institutions

Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities / KWI

Duration Period

November 2017

September 2021

Tags