IKMIB hosts third meeting of EU funded PolynSpire project

In 2018 Kordsa, operating in tire and construction reinforcement and composite technologies markets, joined the EU funded PolynSpire project within Horizon 2020 programme aiming to demonstrate a set of innovative, and sustainable solutions for efficient plastic recycling. The project aims at strengthening the research and technology development capacity of Europe, promoting and improving university-industry cooperation. Following the second meeting in May hosted by Kordsa, the dissemination work package leader Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters' Association (IKMIB), affiliated under Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM), hosted the third meeting of the project organised by CIRCE Foundation (Centre of Research for Energy Resources and Consumption).

Twenty-two project partners from 11 countries, including major players of the European chemical industry such as Arkema, Novamont, Repsol, participated in the meeting held in Istanbul on October 2-4. On the last day of the 3-day event, the Izmit facility of Kordsa was visited.

In the 48-month period of the PolynSpire project, it is expected to recycle/reuse 60 kilotons of plastic waste, to reduce 300 kilotons equivalent carbon emissions, and to save 70 kilotons oil equivalent fossil resources. Targeted impacts in 20 years are treating annually 4.5 million tons of residue, 45 million tons of CO2 emissions reduction per year and 10 million tons of oil equivalent of fossil fuel recovery per year.

Brussels had hosted the kick off meeting of the PolynSpire project at KoWi, the European Liaison Office of German Research Companies on Sepetember 25 in 2018. Kordsa had hosted the second networking event organised by IKMIB at its Izmit facilites for 2 days in last May.

The PolynSpire project is a research project funded by Horizon2020 EU’s new research and innovation programme, with the aim to demonstrate a set of innovative, cost-effective and sustainable solutions, aiming at improving the energy and resource efficiency of plastic recycling processes. Lead by CIRCE, the European Liaison Office of German Research Companies, the PolynSpire project has a budget of €10 million and brings together 22 partners organisations from 11 countries. The programme addresses three innovation pillars covering the TRL7 level in 48 months. The first pillar is the chemical recycling assisted by microwaves and smart magnetic catalysts. The second innovation is advanced additivation and high energy irradiation to enhance recycled plastics quality. These two innovations can lead up to 33 per cent of fossil fuel direct reduction for the production of polyester, polyamide and polyurethane. As the third output of the project, valorisation of plastic waste as carbon source in steel industry is expected which can lead to reductions of around 80 per cent of fossil carbon sources in electric arc furnaces.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)