SYSCHEMIQ - Demonstrator of systemic solutions for the territorial deployment of the circular economy in the Trilateral Chemical Region with a focus on plastic waste streams Quality for Recycling
Updated on 24.01.2024
SYSCHEMIQ will demonstrate how to migrate to a circular urban-industrial cross-border district, i.e. the CHEMELOT Circular Hub (CCH) in the Trilateral Euregio of NL, BE and DE. A Circular Economy Action Plan and a (4BEUR) Investment Agenda (2020–2030) are available. Stakeholder involvement schemes are in place to allow governance within an ecosystem (Regional Government, Municipality, Industries, Educational and Research Institutes, Utilities and Cluster Management): a new way of working to overcome key-bottlenecks. Investment decisions have been made to set up mechanical recycling (4kT/a) and a EUR 150 million semi-industrial (18 kT/a) chemical pilot recycling plant, to run demos with optimised real-life Mixed Plastic Waste (MPW) streams. We will demo systemic solutions:
1) A novel, Dual-Track multistakeholder governance model, underpinned by the recently developed Plastic Recycling Impact Scenario: PRISM model (TRL6), and CIMS digital-twin.
2) The CCH circular governance model (TRL6).
3) Community-based innovation schemes. A Circular City Lab, citizens incentives schemes, incubator and novel skills development and innovation programmes with students (vocational, professional and academic) in a Circular Learning Lab (CHILL).
4) New plastic waste collection, sorting standards/protocols and technologies (e.g. prototype sorting line TRL6) for alignment of material flows in the value chain.
5) New Design rules (TRL 5) for plastic packaging products favouring mechanical and chemical recycling. Considering circa 1.1 Mt of MPW in NL and 30 Mt in EU, scenario calculations promise huge savings of 11.4 Mt CO2 eq./a and 190 kT/a virgin polyolefins.
A business modelling and upscaling study will prepare investments in a 100–400 kT/a full-scale recycling facility. A structured twinning programme with at least five selected regions (incl. Flanders and Lombardy), will foster replication, with the support of EU Platform organisations (ECRN, PRE) and in collaboration with the CCRI.
Leading organisation/partner
Brightlands Chemelos Campus
Cities involved
Sitttard-Geleen
Regions involved
Limburg
Key deliverables
- D1.1 Methodology report Governance Support Systems: Design 1.0;
- D1.2 Multi-actor governance model, features and proposed actions;
- D1.5 External engagement report Dual-Track Governance Support Systems for circular transitional multi-actor ecosystems as an input for WP8;
- D2.1 Assessment of the recyclability of technologies to obtain barrier lidding and coatings for PP trays
- D2.6 Suggestion for new design guidelines;
- D3.1 Report: ‘How to enable more recycling and increase recycled materials quality’;
- D3.4 Pilot in which improvement recommendations are implemented;
- D3.5 Design of next generation sorting installation;
- D3.6 Scale up and implementation plan;
- D4.5 A tool for upscaling;
- D5.1 Validation report on impact of the new sorting concept and potential for higher quality and volumes of MPW feedstock for mechanical and chemical recycling;
- D5.2 Validation report on the impact of Design for Circularity on the Mixed Plastic Waste sorting process yielding added value in the subsequent mechanical recycling step;
- D6.5 Conceptual Design, Investment Estimate and business case of selected pyrolysis process(ses);
- D7.1 Report and PRISM GIS tool: Scenarios and forecasts;
- D7.2 Quick scan of economic and environmental performance of plastics recycling pathways;
- D7.4 First outlook on business cases of plastics recycling;
- D7.6 Summary economic and environmental scenario assessment in the ARRRA region;
- D8.5 EU Regions stakeholders' map and MoUs with relevant Plastics twinning regions;
- D8.6 Intermediate report on TOK activities (incl. stakeholder events with twinning regions);
- D8.7 SYSCHEMIQ DTG Knowledge tools framework for replication;
- D8.8 Report on DTG scenario building workshops using SYSCHEMIQ knowledge tools framework (B/IT);
- D8.9 JOINT CCRI deliverable – SYSCHEMIQ Policy briefs and guidelines on the circular systemic solutions adopted (incl. strengths and weaknesses);
- D8.10 JOINT CCRI deliverable – SYSCHEMIQ Policy briefs and guidelines on the circular systemic solutions adopted (incl. strengths and weaknesses) Update;
- D8.11 JOINT CCRI deliverable – SYSCHEMIQ Policy briefs and guidelines on the circular systemic solutions adopted (incl. strengths and weaknesses) Update V2
Key messages for project promoters
SYSCHEMIQ aims to speed up the circular economy by making a significant next step on the roadmap towards a circular urban-industrial plastics district. Preventing waste and replacing virgin plastics by recycled materials form the foundation for the development of the circular economy as set out in the EU Green Deal 2050. To succeed in this transition, all stakeholders of the value chain must tune their actions towards a circular economy: from plastic products design and production to smart waste separation by citizens, collection by cities, sorting and pre-treatment.
In SYSCHEMIQ, the Tri-lateral Rhine-Meuse Euregion will demonstrate in a systemic approach how to align regional stakeholders to make the next step in plastic recycling, overcoming the main technical and non-technical barriers for a regional circular plastics economy. This type of value chain alignment must start regionally. This to prove a ‘regional plastic recycling business case’, enabling industry to invest in large-scale recycling capabilities, including systemic circular solutions, circular governance models and effective ways to replicate and disseminate the learnings throughout Europe, e.g. under the CCRI umbrella.
Description of future collaboration with CCRI-CSO
- SYSCHEMIQ will actively share insights, research outcomes, and project learnings with the CCRI-CSO, fostering a dynamic exchange of information with other circular hubs and regions to promote development of the Circular Economy.
- SYSCHEMIQ will take an active part in CCRI support activities of Pilot and Fellow cities and regions, e.g. by organising workshops and training sessions for Pilot and Fellow cities and regions, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed and available in the SYSCHEMIQ consortium.
- SYSCHEMIQ is enthusiastic about participating in CCRI events. By joining these gatherings, we intend to further enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange, thereby bolstering the overall effectiveness of the CCRI's endeavours.
CCRI relevant material
SYSCHEMIQ deliverables D8.9, D8.10 and D8.11 focus on the collaboration with CCRI to identify opportunities to increase the strength of the Circular Economy, in particular circular systemic solutions.
Participants
- SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES BV, Netherlands
- SABIC PETROCHEMICALS BV, Netherlands
- SOURCE ONE GMBH, Germany
- NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO, Netherlands
- PLASTICS RECYCLERS EUROPE, Belgium
- EUROPEAN CHEMICAL REGIONS NETWORK, Belgium
- Provincie Limburg, Netherlands
- UNIVERSITEIT GENT, Belgium
- GEMEENTE SITTARD-GELEEN, Netherlands
- UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHT, Netherlands
- STICHTING ZUYD HOGESCHOOL, Netherlands
- CHEMELOT INNOVATION AND LEARNING LABS BV, Netherlands
- FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV, Germany
- STICHTING KENNISINSTITUUT DUURZAAM VERPAKKEN, Netherlands
- SIEGWERK DRUCKFARBEN AG & CO KGAA, Germany
- LOMBARDY ENERGY CLEANTECH CLUSTER, Italy
- PROVINCIALE ONTWIKKELINGSMAATSCHAPPIJ LIMBURG, Belgium
- PLASTIQ VZW, Belgium
- MORSSINKHOF PLASTICS ZEEWOLDE BV, Netherlands
- VERENIGING AFVALSAMENWERKING LIMBURG, Netherlands
