Detailed Replay: Webinar on "How Do Post Consumer Recycled Materials Contribute to Circular Economy?"

On June 26, 2024, a comprehensive webinar was conducted as part of the Masterclass series on "Engineering, Prototyping, and Development."

The webinar, titled "How Do Post Consumer Recycled Materials Contribute to Circular Economy?", was attended by 601 participants and featured in-depth discussions by industry experts.

The session aimed to explore the significant role of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on primary thermoplastic resources.

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Welcome and Introduction

Christophe Dominé initiated the session, welcoming attendees from various global locations. He briefly outlined the agenda and emphasized the importance of PCR materials in the circular economy. Christophe Dominé highlighted the support ARRK provides to startups, innovators, and R&D organizations in developing sustainable products from concept to production.

Key Points Covered:

1. ARRK's Role: Facilitating innovation and development across multiple sectors.
2. Masterclass Series: Organizing webinars and publishing articles to promote innovative ideas.
3. Today's Focus: Understanding how PCR materials contribute to circular economy.

EU Directives on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV)

Marco A. van Putten provided a detailed overview of the EU Directives on End-of-Life Vehicles, focusing on compliance requirements for the automotive industry. He elaborated on the definition, availability, and challenges associated with PCR materials under these directives.

Key Highlights:

1. Definition and Compliance: PCR materials as defined by ELV Directives.
2. Availability of PCR Materials: Current market availability and demand.
3. Quality Challenges: Ensuring high-quality PCR materials for automotive use.
4. Market Initiatives: Efforts within the automotive sector and beyond to incorporate PCR materials.

Circular Economy Framework

Dr. Jens Ramsbrock delved into the concept of circular economy, emphasizing its importance in reducing environmental impact. He introduced the ISO standards that define circular economy and discussed various R-strategies (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Recycle, Repurpose) essential for achieving sustainability.

Key Takeaways:

1. Transition from Linear to Circular Economy: Importance of reusing and recycling materials.
2. R-Strategies: Framework for implementing circular economy principles.
3. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Methodology to quantify the ecological impact of products or services

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Case Studies and Practical Applications

Marco A. van Putten showcased real-world applications of PCR materials, specifically in the automotive industry. He discussed the development and use of low and medium impact PCR PP compounds by Mitsui Prime Advanced Composites Europe B.V.

Case Studies:

1. Product Development: Techniques for processing and improving PCR materials.
2. Automotive Applications: Use of PCR materials in car interiors and structural components.
3. Quality Assurance: Steps to ensure PCR materials meet industry standards.
4. Example of 2 commercialized products by ACE: PP with 20% PCR content and PP with 30% PCR content. Material data sheet was presented.

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Polymer Recycling Challenges

Marco A. van Putten also addressed the challenges in polymer recycling, focusing on sorting, collection, and the need for standardized processes. He highlighted the discrepancies in global recycling practices and the efforts to improve the quality and consistency of recycled materials.

Key Insights:

1. Global Polymer Demand: Distribution and consumption across different industries.
2. Recycling Pyramid: Hierarchy from prevention to disposal.
3. Technological Innovations: Intelligent packaging and digital watermarking for better sorting.

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European End-of-Life Vehicle Directives

Marco A. van Putten elaborated on the specific requirements set by the EU for recycling automotive materials, emphasizing the need for a 25% recycling target by 2030. He explained the distinction between post-consumer waste and post-industrial recycling materials, and the challenges in meeting these targets.

Important Points:

1. Recycling Targets: 25% recycling goal for automotive materials by 2030.
2. Accepted Materials: Criteria for PCR materials under ELV Directives.
3. Exclusion of PIR & Chemical Recycling: Current legislative stance on Post Industrial Recycling and chemical recycling.

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Processing and Quality Control

Marco A. van Putten detailed the processing techniques used by Mitsui ACE to produce high-quality PCR materials. He explained the extruder process, quality control measures, and the production of PCR PP compounds suitable for various applications.

Processing Steps:

1. Extrusion and Homogenization: Techniques to ensure material consistency.
2. Quality Control: Rigorous testing to meet industry standards.
3. Application Examples: Products used in automotive interiors and other sectors.

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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Dr. Jens Ramsbrock concluded with a discussion on LCA, using practical examples to illustrate how recycling positively impacts the environmental footprint. He emphasized the importance of LCA in quantifying the benefits of PCR materials.

LCA Insights:

1. Quantitative Analysis: Measuring the ecological impact of products.
2. Example Case: Volvo XC40's LCA results showcasing recycling benefits.
3. ISO Standards: Adherence to standardized LCA methodologies.

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Interactive Q&A Session

The webinar ended with an interactive Q&A session where participants engaged with the speakers. Christophe encouraged attendees to schedule follow-up discussions for more personalized consultations on specific projects or ideas.

Key Points:

1. Access to Resources: Availability of webinar slides and additional materials, posted on LinkedIn.
2. Follow-Up Meetings: Opportunity for one-on-one discussions with experts. A few appointments were booked with Christophe for specific cases to address
3. Participant Interaction: Addressing queries and sharing experiences.

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Conclusion

The webinar provided a comprehensive understanding of how PCR materials contribute to circular economy, highlighting challenges and innovations in this field. The session offered valuable insights and practical examples, fostering a collaborative approach towards sustainability in various industries.?

Contact : Christophe Dominé