Life Cycle Assessment

Eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Kunststoffe – Aktuelle Diskussionen, Trends und politische Herausforderungen

linda.mederake@ecologic.eu — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:59:35 +0000

A circular plastics economy - Current discussions, trends and political challenges linda.mederake… Wed, 02/23/2022 - 13:59

Untertitel

A reflection of the Tutzing Symposion 2021 „Polymers for a better life and circular economy“

Titelbild

Beschreibung

The article reflects on the 59th Tutzing Symposion entitled "Polymers for a better life and circular economy" that took place as an online event in October 2021. Based on the presentations at the symposium, the contribution provides an overview of current debates on the circular plastics economy, as well as insights into existing political regulations, present challenges, and possible future developments with regard to this major societal project.

Among other topics, the article addresses the comparability of life cycle assessments, (chemical) recycling, and challenges in developing new business models. It also addresses the material and political limits of the circular economy and criticizes attempts to locate the responsibility for solving the plastic problem mainly in the individual behavior of citizens. Looking at existing regulations and policy initiatives at national, European and international levels, the article states the lack of a holistic, overarching approach. The article concludes with an appeal for more exchange and discussions between industry, politics and authorities as well as civil society in the political decision-making process.

Further Links

Article (restricted access)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37307/j.1863-9763.2022.02.05

Magazine

Müll und Abfall

Year

2022

Author

Linda Mederake

Publisher

Erich Schmidt Verlag (ESV), Germany

Type of Result

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

Citation

Mederake, Linda (2022): Eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Kunststoffe – Aktuelle Diskussionen, Trends und politische Herausforderungen. Eine Reflexion des Tutzing Symposions 2021 „Polymers for a better life and circular economy“. In: Müll und Abfall, 54 (2), 77-83.

Tags

Waste reduction

Social perception

Governance

Industry

Consumption

Strategy on plastics

Life Cycle Assessment

Environmental accounting

Reduction of plastic use

Prevention of plastics

Recycling

Regulation

Resource conservation

Publikationstyp

Verschoben: 12. MICROPOL & ECOHAZARD Konferenz 2022

janna.vakili@ecologic.eu — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 10:47:20 +0000

Postponed: 12th MICROPOL & ECOHAZARD Conference 2022 janna.vakili@e… Tue, 06/30/2020 - 12:47

Titelbild

Beschreibung

The 12th Micropol & Ecohazard Conference will take place from 6 to 10 June 2022 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It is part of a series of IWA conferences which, as an international discussion forum, will address the state of scientific and technical developments regarding emerging pollutant emissions, treatments and effects.

A detailed overview of the topics can be found on the event's website.

Location

Santiago de Compostela, Spanien

Organiser

International Water Association (IWA)

Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

Date

06 - 10 June 2022

06. - 10. Juni 2022

Further Links

Website of the event

Image Gallery

Tags

minimization strategies

Surface water

Sewage

Microplastics

Life Cycle Assessment

Date sort

Mon, 06/06/2022 - 12:00

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Aus

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

ResolVe

KALEH — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 15:41:57 +0000

ResolVe KALEH Tue, 12/19/2017 - 16:41

Recycling of Polystyrene by Raw Material Recovery

In view of climate change, environmental pollution, population growth, and resource dependency, the transition from a linear economy to a closed-loop economy is both ecologically and economically necessary. Within the ResolVe project, a logistics and an industrial plant concept for the economic use of polystyrene waste as a raw material for high-quality new plastic products were developed. Thermally-induced depolymerisation as material recycling of waste plastics can lead to the production of new polymers. In this process, the polymer is split thermally into low-molecular substances such as monomers and oligomers. Compared to the thermal utilisation or mechanical recycling of plastic waste that has been common up to now, this project aimed to actually close a cycle. Since the depolymerisation process does not lead to a "downcycling" of the recyclable materials and only makes moderate demands on the purity of the waste streams, many post-consumer waste streams can be used.

INEOS Styrolution managed the joint research project with the aim of using the styrene monomer, which is the main component of depolymerisation, in its own production process. To this end, the overall process was subjected to an intensive evaluation and the prerequisites for an investment were examined, too.

Main areas of work

Logistical and economic evaluation
Preconditioning in processing technology
Depolymerisation of polystyrene wastes on a laboratory scale
Depolymerisation of polystyrene in the twin screw extruder
Distillative treatment
Investigations on the influence of impurities on the depolymerisation process of polystyrene
Ultilisation of by-products through steam cracking

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1 Project leadership

Contact person
Dr. Hannes Kerschbaumer, INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH, Mainzer Landstraße 50, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, e-mail: hannes.kerschbaumer@ineos.com

Short description
The successful implementation of the project required a regular exchange of information between the partners and with the project management. The consortium consisted of five partners and other subcontractors and thus required careful management to ensure targeted and result-oriented cooperation. The individual tasks included: coordination of the project partners; thematic summaries of the developed results; reporting (including meeting minutes, milestone report and regular reports); organisation of project meetings and regular telephone conferences; organisation of the dispatch of hazardous substances between Aachen, Bayreuth and Cologne; and observation of parallel approaches to the raw material recycling of polystyrene.

WP 2 Procurement of waste samples and development of a recycling concept

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Thomas Pretz, RWTH Aachen University, Department of Processing and Recycling, Wüllnerstraße 2, 52056 Aachen, e-mail: pretz@ifa.rwth-aachen.de

Project partner
INEOS Styrolution

Short description
In dialogue with relevant waste disposal companies, the most important material flows were detected and samples procured. These were examined, processed and evaluated with regard to their suitability for chemical recycling. Specific logistics concepts were developed for these material flows so that a high recycling rate could be achieved. In addition, existing contacts with other research groups dealing with the collection of marine plastic waste were used. Other contacts were established to integrate the availability of material flows from the environment into the logistics concept.

WP 3 Depolymerisation of pure polystyrene granules with targeted variation of relevant material parameters

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Schmidt, Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH, Gottlieb-Keim-Straße 60, 95448 Bayreuth, e-mail: hans-werner.schmidt@uni-bayreuth.de

Project partner
RWTH Aachen University IKV, INEOS Styrolution, INEOS Köln

Short description
The aim was to gain basic knowledge about the type of products resulting from the depolymerisation of polystyrene. For this purpose, depolymerisation was carried out on model substances on a laboratory scale. Parallel to this, a suitable extruder arrangement with separator was set up and depolymerisation was carried out in order to determine achievable yields and parameter influences. The reaction products were investigated by means of GC-MS. First experiments with real samples were carried out and the distillative separation of styrene was demonstrated. The by-products were evaluated for their suitability for the cracking process and the process parameters were optimized in both depolymerisation plants.

WP 4 Depolymerisation of pure polystyrene granules with targeted variation of relevant impurities

Contact person
Maximilian Adamy, RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Plastics Processing, Seffenter Weg 201, 52074 Aachen, e-mail: maximilian.adamy@ikv.rwthaachen.de

Project partner
RWTH Aachen University I.A.R., INEOS Styrolution, Neue Materialien Bayreuth

Short description
The material to be recycled generally contained a wide range of different impurities. These were characterized and their influence on the depolymerisation process of PS was investigated. Possible sources of polystyrene waste are: the polystyrene fraction from household waste (dual system), polystyrene from commercial waste collection, and samples of marine plastic waste. The next steps included: pre-sorting, conditioning of the waste, depolymerisation process in the piston and in the extruder, adaptation of the real samples to the optimum process conditions, and determination of the optimum operating mode depending on the material source.

WP 5 Fractionating distillation and utilisation of styrene monomers and by-products

Contact person
Dr. Ralf Gesthuisen, INEOS Köln GmbH, Alte Straße 201, 50769 Köln, e-mail: ralf.gesthuisen@ineos.com

Project partner
Neue Materialien Bayreuth, INEOS Styrolution

Short description
Depolymerisation does not produce a pure monomer stream, but rather a mixture of monomers, oligomers and other volatile components. For repolymerisation, the monomers must be separated from this mixture by fractionated distillation. Further fractions remain, which can be converted into recyclable substances by a suitable steam cracking process. The resulting products were examined qualitatively and quantitatively. Based on this, the cracking process was optimised by adjusting the process parameters and possibly adding naphtha and/or hydrogen.

WP 6 Economic and ecological considerations of the recycling concept

Contact person
Dr. Hannes Kerschbaumer, INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH, Mainzer Landstraße 50, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, e-mail: hannes.kerschbaumer@ineos.com

Project partner
RWTH Aachen University I.A.R.

Short description
The knowledge gained in the project was used to adapt the logistics concept developed in WP 2. The costs of the entire value chain, including collection and recycling, were determined. The question of the location of a depolymerisation plant had a major influence on the overall calculation: the provision of raw materials in sufficient quantity and quality could be realized with varying ease regionally and nationally. A special case took into account whether collected plastic from the environment is also suitable for economic use. An ecological assessment (CO2 footprint) of the depolymerisation was carried out.

Coordinator

Dr. Hannes Kerschbaumer
INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH
Mainzer Landstraße 50
60325 Frankfurt am Main
Phone: +49 69 509550-1322
e-mail: hannes.kerschbaumer@ineos.com

Website

https://depolymerisation.com

Partner Institutions

INEOS Köln GmbH

RWTH Aachen University

Department of Processing and Recycling / I.A.R.

Institute of Plastics Processing / IKV

Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH / NMB

Duration Period

August 2017

July 2020

Tags

Decomposition products

Life Cycle Assessment

Polymer

Polystyrene (PS)

Recycling

Secondary raw materials

Sorting

Project sheet

10_Projektblatt_ResolVe_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

Communication strategy

Stakeholder

Governance

Life Cycle Assessment

Project sheet

06_Projektblatt_PlastikBudget_ENG_2018.pdf

Koordinator label

Coordinator

VerPlaPoS

KALEH — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:27:25 +0000

VerPlaPoS KALEH Tue, 12/19/2017 - 13:27

Consumer Behavior Related to Plastic and its Avoidance at the Point of Sale

Consumers buying products made of or wrapped in plastic play a decisive role in plastic consumption in Germany. A complete avoidance of plastic in everyday life, while unlikely to occur in full, would only be possible with extremely high restrictions. Moreover, many consumers are not aware of how much plastic is put into circulation or into the environment by buying a product. The consumer can, however, influence the use of plastics with targeted product selection at the point of sale (PoS) (e.g. the choice of plastic-free products).

Against this background, this project investigated to what extent the consumer can avoid the generation of plastic waste by making a purchase decision at the PoS. Another aspect was to what extent help can be provided for this decision, e.g. through different avoidance strategies. This was examined using food packaging and clothing textiles as examples. The former was chosen because food packaging has the highest capital costs for the environment in absolute terms (UNEP 2014). Textiles were chosen because they are made of plastic, a high proportion of synthetic fibres is used and a lot of plastic is produced by packaging the textiles.

Main areas of work

Investigating the understanding and behaviour of consumers when buying (or co-acquiring) plastics
Identification of plastic avoidance strategies along the textile and food supply chains
Holistic evaluation of different plastic alternatives (life cycle assessment)
Development of new products/processes that help to reduce plastic consumption/use
Information on product-specific plastic consumption using a plastic app

Arbeitspakete

Work packages

WP 1 Project coordination and project management

Contact person
Dr. Thomas Decker, Stadt Straubing, Theresienplatz 2, 94315 Straubing, e-mail: thomas.decker@straubing.de

Project partners
Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, General and Textile Industry Research Institute, University of Muenster, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, University of Stuttgart, Philipps-University Marburg, Ludwig Stocker Hofpfisterei GmbH

Short description
The City of Straubing coordinated the consortium in the supervisory WP 1. This included the coordination of content, operations (link between science and SMEs) and organisation (project meetings, telecons, reports, timetable, etc.). In addition, the City of Straubing was responsible for public relations (reciprocal and interactive communication with stakeholder groups in the study region and in Germany, presswork, Internet media, etc.).

WP 2 Consumer purchasing behavior when buying plastic articles

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Klaus Menrad, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Department of Marketing and Management of Renewable Resources, Petersgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, e-mail: klaus.menrad@hswt.de

Project partners
Stadt Straubing, Ludwig Stocker Hofpfisterei GmbH

Short description
The behaviour of customers in the shops of partners in the City of Straubing was assessed in regard to food packaging and clothing textiles, with particular attention paid to plastic. The aim was, on the one hand, to capture the open, observable shopping behaviour of consumers with its connected plastic consumption. On the other hand, the knowledge and problem awareness in plastic matters were determined. Furthermore, common themes were also examined when purchasing plastic-packed food or textiles.

WP 3 What role does plastic play in commerce?

Contact person
Dr. Thomas Decker, Stadt Straubing, Theresienplatz 2, 94315 Straubing, e-mail: thomas.decker@straubing.de

Project partners
Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Ludwig Stocker Hofpfisterei GmbH

Short description
The respective offer at the PoS was very important for consumers' purchasing decisions. For this reason, the assortment of practical partners in the food and textile commerce as well as the disposal routes of plastic waste produced in shops were being investigated. This provided a business level overview of the respective volume of plastic. The selected shops were examples of different types of food retailing and textile merchandise management.

WP 4 Plastics along the value chain

Contact person
Sven Sängerlaub, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, Giggenhauser Straße 35, 85354 Freising, e-mail: sven.saengerlaub@ivv.fraunhofer.de

Short description
The aim of this work package was to obtain a general overview of the occurrence and use of plastics (especially intermediate packaging) in the supply chains for textiles, with a focus on functional textiles and men’s fashion, and foodstuffs. The aim was to investigate the areas in which the use of plastic is necessary and where it could be reduced or avoided. Thus, there were various possibilities within the value chains to reduce or avoid the use of plastics, e.g. by optimizing the transport packaging systems between the individual stations.

WP 5 Development and provision of alternative packaging options

Contact person
Sven Sängerlaub, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, Giggenhauser Straße 35, 85354 Freising, e-mail:sven.saengerlaub@ivv.fraunhofer.de

Project partners
Stadt Straubing, University of Stuttgart, Ludwig Stocker Hofpfisterei GmbH

Short description
For the practical testing of alternative packaging and communication with retailers and end customers, suitable materials were being developed, samples produced and appropriate specifications drawn up for incoming and outgoing processes for manufacture and recycling. Various packaging alternatives for the food sector were then manufactured at IVV on a pilot-plant scale for pilot applications or produced by industrial partners. These patterns represented different approaches to avoid or reduce the use of plastics.

WP 6 Avoidance of plastic along the entire textile supply chain

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schewe, University of Münster, Chair of Business Administration, Universitätsstraße 14–16, 48143 Münster, e-mail: orga@wiwi.uni-muenster.de

Project partners
Stadt Straubing, University of Stuttgart

Short description
Within the scope of a business case, innovative strategies were developed for analysing the entire textile supply chain regarding avoidable plastic use, together with practice partners from the textile industry. First the object of investigation was defined and delineated to provide a specification sheet for the analysis of the actual state, for the formulation of the target state under consideration of cost positions, for monetary advantages, and non-monetary aspects, and for functional, and nonfunctional requirements.

WP 7 Innovative recycling strategies for the textile sector

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schewe, University of Münster, Chair of Business Administration, Universitätsstraße 14–16, 48143 Münster, e-mail: orga@wiwi.uni-muenster.de

Project partners
Stadt Straubing, University of Stuttgart

Short description
For the unavoidable use of plastics in the textile supply chain, sustainable recycling strategies were developed in a business case in cooperation with practice partners from the textile commerce who see plastics as a promising resource for innovative manufacturing and production processes (for the areas of men’s fashion and functional textiles). The focus was on additive manufacturing processes (colloquially: 3D printing) that offer innovative recycling solutions across divisions and industries thus forming a link to the research area of food packaging.

WP 8 Context-specific life cycle analysis of the product examples

Contact person
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Albrecht, University of Stuttgart, Faculty 2: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics (IABP), Department of Life Cycle Engineering, Wankelstraße 5, 70563 Stuttgart, e-mail: gabi@iabp.uni-stuttgart.de

Project partners
Stadt Straubing, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, General and Textile Industry Research Institute, University of Muenster, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, University of Stuttgart, Philipps-University Marburg, Ludwig Stocker Hofpfisterei GmbH

Short description
Which global problems were caused by plastics along their supply chain and how severe are these? This question was answered by means of a context-specific analysis with regard to the entire life cycle of possible product solutions (textile, food) or plastics (e.g. food packaging) and the entire range of problems based on the life cycle assessment method and information from the previous work packages. Various practice partners from the textile and food commerce provided support.

WP 9 Testing "new solutions"

Project partners
Stadt Straubing, General and Textile Industry Research Institute, University of Muenster, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, University of Stuttgart, Philipps-University Marburg, Ludwig Stocker Hofpfisterei GmbH

Short description
The newly developed products/solutions of WP 5 and 6 were verified for consumer acceptance and tested in the stores of partner companies in the food and textile industry for a period of two weeks. In addition to the sales figures, further consumer reactions were also collected in 300 personal interviews. The developed app (Android and iOS version) was also included in the test and tested for applicability.

WP 10 Elaboration and documentation of practice-oriented recommendations for action

Contact persons
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schewe, University of Münster, Chair of Business Administration, Universitätsstraße 14–16, 48143 Münster, e-mail: orga@wiwi.uni-muenster.de

Sven Sängerlaub, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, Giggenhauser Straße 35, 85354 Freising, e-mail:sven.saengerlaub@ivv.fraunhofer.de

Prof. Dr. Klaus Menrad, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Department of Marketing and Management of Renewable Resources, Petersgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, e-mail: klaus.menrad@hswt.de

Project partners
Stadt Straubing, Philipps-University Marburg, Ludwig Stocker Hofpfisterei GmbH

Short description
Based on the results obtained, recommendations for action were formulated for the industries examined and then summarised into compact documentation. The recommendations for action were derived in close coordination with all partners and on the basis of the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and risks of the solutions and strategies jointly identified throughout the course of the project. The aim was to achieve a clear impact assessment for the solutions and strategies developed and thus contribute to a reduction in use of plastics on the consumer side.

Case Studies

Several case studies in the areas of food packaging and textiles were conducted within this project. For example, alternative packaging variants were developed for the following areas: service packaging, bowls/trays and bags for baked goods. These packaging alternatives were tested in the course of the project with regard to "quality", ”consumer acceptance” and for improvement of the "plastic index".

In the field of textiles, innovative strategies for the analysis of the entire textile supply chain to identify avoidable use of plastics were established together with practice partners. In addition, sustainable recycling strategies were developed that consider plastics as a promising resource for innovative manufacturing and production processes (for men's fashion and functional textiles). The focus was on additive manufacturing processes (colloquially: 3D printing) that offer innovative recycling solutions across divisions and industries.

Coordinator

Dr. Thomas Decker
Stadt Straubing
Theresienplatz 2
94315 Straubing
Phone: +49 9421 944-60167
e-mail: thomas.decker@straubing.de

Website

http://www.plastikvermeidung.de/

Partner Institutions

Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Department for Marketing and Management of Renewable Resources

General and Textile Industry Research Institute, University of Muenster

Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging

University of Stuttgart, Institute of Acoustics and Building Physics, Department of Life Cycle Engineering

Philipps-University Marburg, Department of Bioinformatics

Ludwig Stocker Hofpfisterei GmbH

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