Pilot 3: Circular Plastics Value Chains in the North Black Forest
Regional plastics value chains need suitable secondary feedstock, dependable quality and collaboration between collection, processing and manufacturing actors.
The North Black Forest pilot develops circular configurations for plastics and packaging through a regional network of collection, recycling and manufacturing actors. The work involves the INNONET ecosystem and industrial contributors including REMONDIS, Infinex and Carbonauten.
The first value chain examines the production of yellow collection bags from recovered plastic. It distinguishes the existing use of recyclate from factories and warehouses from the proposed return of used household bags into new bag production. Collection, sorting, cleaning, shredding, recycling, compounding and manufacturing are considered as connected steps.
The second value chain combines reusable polypropylene twin-wall packaging with the development of a compound containing wood-derived biocarbon. The production route connects biomass conversion and grinding with polymer compounding, extrusion and product conversion. The circular configuration also considers packaging return, inspection, cleaning, reuse and recycling of suitable fractions.
Process mapping, industrial workshops and data exchange support both cases. Digital configuration, product information and regional competence mapping provide additional support to the value-chain development. Processing compatibility, prototype validation and access to operational data remain central to demonstrating how the proposed loops can work in practice.
The two cases require information on feedstock characteristics, material quantities, processing steps and manufacturing requirements. The collection-bag case examines the relationship between the quality of recovered plastic and its suitability for a new product. The packaging case examines compound processing and the return, reuse and recovery pathway.
The assessment uses process mapping and exchanges with industrial actors to clarify the operating configuration. Proposed circular loops and material claims are evaluated against the actual process and product evidence, including the treatment of losses and rejected fractions.
Regional plastics value chains need suitable secondary feedstock, dependable quality and collaboration between collection, processing and manufacturing actors.
Work is progressing on collection-bag recycling and reusable polypropylene twin-wall packaging. Material testing and digital modelling support the development of the new biocarbon compound and its adaptation to extrusion.