LIFE CEPLAFIB – Implementation of a new Circular Economy through the valorisation of postconsumer PLAstic waste and reclaimed pulp FIBer

This project, entitled as CEPLAFIB, will transform two post-consumer wastes: plastic waste and newsprint paper, into novel primary resources for high added value applications through their combination in novel recycled fibre reinforced composite materials. In this sense CEPLAFIB aims to orchestrate a new circular economy in which recycled postconsumer plastic will be reinforced with re-claimed pulp fibres to improve their end performance characteristics and to stabilize the recyclates flows for their direct use in mass application sectors, i.e. automotive, caravanning, packaging and construction. This project will expand from July 2018 to June 2021 and has a total project budget of 1.8M€

Besides coordination management, TECOS is involved in optimization of the final composite formulation, setting up the requirements & processing protocols for automotive prototypes design, injection mould construction, pre-serial testing and technical validation of final demonstrators by up to TRL-6. CEPLAFIB project will demonstrate that by using the cost-efficient technologies for plastic & paper waste sorting, selection, treatment and transforming processes we can boost the linear economy of recycled materials into circular transition, where plastic waste and newsprint residues seeks their new utility values in the form of composite material for mass production applications. New products developed will be rigid industrial packaging, interior components for recreational vehicles (RV’s), and building isolation panels. To guarantee the maximum efficiency, CEPLAFIB will use a global synergistic approach to drive changes, combining different manufacturing technologies and applications and is focused in complementary roles of diversified industrial sectors. Final demonstrators for caravanning sector will be fabricated in Slovenia, while the production line for rigid packaging is to be settled in Finland. The extrusion compounding line is to be established in Spain, demonstrating that recycled rate can be increased by 40% and the greenhouse emissions can be reduced by 40%, when comparing current recycling activities. Project information contact at TECOS: dr. Vesna Žepič Bogataj