DPI - Shaping polymer innovation

Reflecting on the CPNL Project Launch Event: examples of brave entrepreneurship On May 28th, CPNL launched seven innovative projects to establish circularity in the Dutch plastics industry. With the support of the Nationaal Groeifonds, we allocated €18.5 million in the first open call and €37 million in dedicated assignments in partnership with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Mark Schmets from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate officially inaugurated the projects, and researchers and entrepreneurs provided insightful pitches of the accepted projects on the potential for plastic circularity in the Netherlands. Projects launched: Cap-to-Cap Recycling, Monitoring Quality in Plastic Recycling, SKILLS, TEXPOWER, UPTYRE, Brightlands Circular Space and NTCP.  🎥 Watch the event video report here, featuring a.o. Rik Eppingbroek (Morssinkhof - Rymoplast), Marcel van Eijk (NTCP), Jolien Stevels (Trioworld), Ronald Korstanje (DPI - Shaping polymer innovation), Lia Voermans (Brightlands Circular Space), Martine Brandsma (NTCP), Kees van Oostenrijk (RecyBEM | Band en Milieu). https://lnkd.in/eQAV7FCH 🔗 Continue the Conversation:  These projects are set to tackle various bottlenecks, supported by CPNL and NGF investments. Being able to allocate and support projects for sustainable business models and increase quality and efficiency in diverse recycling steps for a.o. PP, rPET, PCR, LDPE, rHDPE Polycotton, and Rubber, creates an incentive for these brave entrepreneurs. However, creating sustainable market conditions in the current plastics landscape calls for an assertive European response. Addressing this involves swiftly implementing higher EU import tariffs or a carbon tax for virgin PET and PET-based products such as clothing. Legislation to specify recycled materials in products is in the making, but traceability of EU material origin remains an issue. Additionally, we must explore ways to reduce the cost-effectiveness of collecting, sorting, and recycling. The cost accumulation of these steps is still too significant. Reduction is needed to support the survival of recyclers, promote a circular economy, and develop our vital end markets in Europe to enable local demand.    Join CPNL and all actors involved in the plastics community for the next steps during the upcoming events:    18-19 Sep | Kunststoffenbeurs | Den Bosch  7 Nov | Our joint networking event Transition to Circularity with Groene Chemie, Nieuwe Economie and BioBased Circular | Amersfoort    #continuetheconversation #transition #CPNL #CircularEconomy #PlasticRecycling #Sustainability #Innovation #CircularPlasticsNL #NationalGrowthFund

Some things come along only rarely and this is one of those times. We have a vacancy for an Associate Professor in Circular Product Development here at Maastricht University - Faculty of Science and Engineering , with the intention of strengthening our Circular Engineering education, as well as bringing this expertise into my Circular Plastics research group. This person is meant to take the lead in developing a Sustainable Manufacturing curriculum, so knowledge of product design/product development/manufacturing technology is absolutely required (need not be focused on plastics), other profiles are simply not a fit and will not be considered. Are you our man/woman/person? Apply. Or do you know just the candidate? Inform them. Sharing = caring. https://lnkd.in/epd8mWYC

Our Annual Report 2023 is live! 'As we reflect on the past year of DPI, it becomes evident that change has become the defining theme of our journey. From the subtle shifts in industry dynamic, the significant ones in policy and economy to the transformations in the organisation. Over the years DPI has remained resilient in the face of challenges while embracing opportunities for growth and innovation. As we stand at the edge of (what seems like yet) another era, it is imperative we examine our role, confront our challenges headon and navigate changes today for tomorrow.' Click to read the rest of our story.

The TEXPOWER project can start 👕 🎉 The TEXPOWER project (Textile Polycotton Waste Evaluation and Recycling) has been granted by RVO. This project was submitted as part of the National Growth Fund Circular Plastics NL call. TEXPOWER was created in collaboration with 9 circular chain partners, consisting of both large and SME companies and knowledge institutions: CELLiCON, DPI - Shaping polymer innovation (as coordinator and on behalf of CPI, together with ISPT - Institute for Sustainable Process Technology), Enschede Textielstad, Frankenhuis Textielrecycling, KringCoop, de kringloop coöperatie , SaXcell, Hogeschool Saxion, Spinning Jenny and Textile Fiber Boost. Over the next 5 years we will work on this project with a total budget of €9.0M. What is the goal? #Polycotton is one of the most common textile types in both clothing and interior textiles. Together we try to build a transparent, circular polycotton textile value chain. This chain will be implemented for the future-proof earning capacity of the Netherlands. We achieve this goal by developing: ·        Accurate, innovative and efficient identification, sorting and data processing techniques ·        Interfering substance removal techniques ·        Mechanical and chemical recycling techniques of polycotton. This way we achieve fiber-to-fiber recycling. The high-quality raw materials are spun into polycotton yarns, which can be woven into functional textiles for work clothing, for example. In addition to the 9 partners mentioned, various 3rd parties are involved to apply their knowledge and innovative technologies. Together we realize a stable, functional circular chain. ♻️ #texpower #recycling #textilevaluechain #circularity

1st International Conference on Thermochemical Recycling of Plastics ♻️ From 28 April to 2 May the CHEMREC Conference will be held in Málaga, Spain. During this conference scientists from all over the world will share their latest results and insights on thermochemical recycling of plastics. 🎤 Ronald Korstanje, Program Director CPI and Prof. Sascha Kersten, Scientific Director ISPT - Institute for Sustainable Process Technology, will represent the Circular Plastics Initiative. On Tuesday 30 April, Ronald will give a presentation about 'The power of value chain driven collaborative research'. "It is important to perform research in the context of the whole system, in order to be relevant and be able to make impact," explains Ronald. 🎤 On Wednesday 1 May, Sascha will discuss the interaction of the various recycling technologies and the need to build a system based on a cascading principle. Sascha will also chair the round table discussion 'What are the industrial needs for chemical recycling?', which Ronald will also participate in. More about the ChemRec conference? Click on the link in the comments. #plasticsrecycling #sustainableplastics #thermochemicalrecycling #plastics

Ronald Korstanje: ‘Beleid en innovatie kunnen de plasticcrisis keren’ Plastic recycling wordt nu nog vaak beperkt tot recycling in een gesloten kringloop, zoals het recyclen van één product naar zijn equivalent. Maar de complexiteit van plastic afval in combinatie met de hoge technische vereisten van eindproducten, vragen om een andere aanpak: een combinatie van technologieën die verder gaan dan het circulair maken van individuele producten. Om dit bereiken moeten we samenwerken: beleidsmakers, de recyclingindustrie, en de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap. Steun vanuit de overheid is cruciaal door middel van stimulerende wetgeving en financiële prikkels. Klik om verder te lezen.

Pieter de Lange, former Principal Scientist, Product and Application Development at Teijin Aramid, has been a pillar of support for DPI, from even before he became a DPI member. The essence of our mission – to facilitate the symbiotic relationship between industry and academia – found a perfect embodiment in Pieter's efforts. Both as a Programme Committee (PC) member (for Engineering Polymers and later for Performance Polymers) as well as an Industrial Contact Person (ICP) for Teijin Aramid. Pieter understands and appreciates the aim of DPI as an international platform for collaboration to propel industry-led research and research-based industry solutions, forging a path towards mutual success. After 15 years of active participation, with over 30 projects with DPI, he bid farewell to his job in 2023. This was a good time for us to sit down with him and look back at his journey with DPI.

On 17 and 18 January the Future of Polyolefins Conference will be held in Antwerp, Belgium. Ronald Korstanje (DPI - Shaping polymer innovation) and Geoffrey Schouten (ISPT - Institute for Sustainable Process Technology) will share learnings on new recycling methods and results in the polyolefins industry. We draw from our experience in the CPI - Circular Plastics Initiative, a cooperation between DPI and ISPT.

On 17 and 18 January, the Future of Polyolefins 2024 conference will take place in Antwerp. This event aims to explore the exciting advances, challenges, and opportunities that will shape the future of the polyolefins industry. We are pleased to announce that Ronald Korstanje and Geoffrey Schouten will be present during this two-day event. They will share all the lessons learned on #recycling methods in the #polyolefins industry, based on their experience within the Circular Plastics Initiative. ➡️ Don't miss out! For more information and to register: https://lnkd.in/de6qBeG 

We wish you a happy, healthy and innovative 2024! In this new year, we will keep working on groundbreaking innovation in polymer science and create sustainable solutions for long term challenges together with our partners from industry and academia. Click to read our highlights of the past year.