The need to recycle plastic
While millions of plastic products are manufactured in the EU each year, only a small fraction of these are either recycled or made from recycled plastics. Not only is this a waste of resources, but it is using up depleting resources while the demand for plastic is expected to rise. It is imperative that we start using plastic waste as a resource and move away from using virgin plastics which will then be discarded.
Many organisations and companies are starting to understand the need to use recycled materials and are looking for ways to become more circular. It is still early days, but steps are being taken. The TRANSFORM-CE project is involved in two types of plastic recycling processes: IEM (intrusion-extrusion moulding) and AM (additive manufacturing).
The Navigation Tool
The Navigation Tool is designed to explain the different steps in the plastic recycling process, from collection through sorting to reuse. Hover above or click on an icon to read about each step in the process. It gives information on the TRANSFORM-CE project’s findings, shares links to project reports and publications, gives the contact details of the project’s partners for questions or collaboration, explains the IEM and AM technologies, and suggests uses for recycled plastics.
The Tool contains the findings of the TRANSFORM-CE project which help companies develop the 'know-how' they need to replicate and scale up the solutions covered. While the Tool primarily targets companies that may be interested in recycling or used recyclates, it is also an easy way for the general public to learn about the technologies involved in recycling plastics, the potential of recycling and reusing plastic, as well as the barriers to doing so.
AM and IEM technologies
TRANSFORM-CE uses two innovative technologies to create new products from single-use plastic waste: additive manufacturing (AM) and intrusion-extrusion moulding (IEM). AM shreds sorted plastic waste which is then melted and extruded to produce long filaments. The filaments are then used in 3D printing to create objects layer by layer. In IEM, low-grade plastic waste is ground to make lumps of plastic which is then melted and extruded into a hot plastic ‘clay’. This is then pressed into moulds to create new products. In the TRANSFORM-CE project, this process is done by the Green Plastic Factory in the Netherlands.
A support package for interested businesses
TRANSFORM-CE has a business support package available for businesses interested in using recycled materials. The technologies can be used to design and produce new products and to create circular business models.
Link to the Navigation Tool: https://www.nweurope.eu/projects/project-search/transform-ce-transforming-single-use-plastic-waste-into-additive-manufacturing-and-intrusion-extrusion-moulding-feedstocks-and-creating-a-new-circular-economy-model-for-nwe/#tab-9