Context
A deep change is happening in the world regarding sustainability. Increased awareness of the fragility of our environment is causing a shift in manufacturers’ practices and opening new markets for some of them.
Single-use plastics are at the heart of this societal change, as their fossil fuel origin and their easy disposability make them an unsustainable solution. Innovative solutions are now needed for manufacturers as they address this paradigm shift, and IMR is committed to help companies in this transition.
Idea
Irish Manufacturing Research and IComp are partnering on an EPA-funded project to assess the marketability of a novel composite material made from recycled PET plastic. IMR will carry out the business case and assess the commercial viability of this material.
Aim
- The project aims at assessing the commercial viability of a novel approach to recycle PET plastics, in Ireland and in Europe by determining the quantity of useable input material and classifying the requirements of potential markets.
- Increasing the value of recycled waste could impact the whole value chain and benefit stakeholders. The team plans to fully characterise the new composite material and to identify high value-added markets for it.
THEMATIC PILLAR
Sustainable Manufacturing
