Project – In short
ReBioCycle provides a portfolio of bioplastic sorting and recycling technologies within three complementary waste-processor-centric hubs at a demonstration scale and in the real operational environment the effective and efficient recycling of three types of bioplastics (e.g., PLA, PHA, composites) to demonstrate higher impact of obtaining the same or superior grade recycled polymers and other higher–value applications.
ReBioCycle biopolymer brand owners will verify the industrial-grade specifications. ReBioCycle will demonstrate real-world products for durable and multi-use packaging.
The Life Cycle Assessment analysis and tailored Dissemination and Exploitation plans will facilitate the uptake of key exploitable results.
ReBioCycle implements a multi-actor approach and involves key actors and stakeholders, such as waste management companies, packaging producers and brand owners.
ReBioCycle Objectives
Effectively separate the three types of bioplastics
by re-adapting and upscaling sorting technologies.
Propose a portfolio of bioplastic recycling technologies
at a relevant scale and demonstrate through data streams the effectiveness of the proposed technologies.
Demonstrate revised sorting
and novel recycling solutions in three sites across Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Analyse the final quality of the material
to confirm the quality of the recycled materials from a functional point of view.
ReBioCycle Approach
Sorting
Develop sorting and separation systems for isolating dedicated biobased plastics from the mixed biobased and fossil-based plastics streams.
Assess the integration of the developed sorting and recycling technologies with current waste management practices through the involvement of waste management companies.
Upscale recycling technologies
Develop, upscale and deploy innovative recycling technologies and adapt, optimise and deploy existing ones for biobased plastics. The focus is on mechanical, chemical, microbial and enzymatic technologies.
Demonstrate integration of the recycling processes at relevant scale inside a real waste management plant.
Upgrade into higher-value products
Target as much as possible the same grade for the recycled as the virgin product (e.g. keeping food grade) and upgrade the resulting stream into higher-value products.
Significant improvement environmental performance across the value chain
Assess the market uptake potential of recycled biobased plastic products.
Assess the safety and sustainability of materials
Perform an assessment based on the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) framework developed by the European Commission for assessing the safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials.
Develop recommendations that can advance further the application of the SSbD framework.
Provide inputs to the European Policy Framework
ReBioCycle contributes to the objectives of the Circular Economy Action Plan, Plastics Strategy and Waste Framework Directive. ReBioCycle will make available effective recycling technologies for biobased plastics and will also contribute to the Zero-pollution action plan and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy.
