From waste to gold

Purpose and goal

The project aim was a 30% reduction of unused industrial metalworking, powder coating and textile sectors residues. It developed practical and theoretical solutions to fulfill this; and evaluated commercial viability for a multi-sector, web-based, residue brokerage and innovation platform. Analyses show that knowledge and technical capacities within key material cycling chains remain inadequate for this and that no consortium members or 3rd parties wished to pursue the platform. The project recommends therefore concentrating on service(s) supporting innovation.

Expected results and effects

The project delineated success-prerequisites for an industrial residue platform, and a service for stimulating links between residue generators/users, and system innovation. It developed a model to reduce hazardous substances transfer in textile recycling, and performed textile-recycling pilots. It successfully tested reduction, and reuse, of powder coating residuals and identified barriers to powder recovery. Investigations of foundry metal dust reuse, and sheet metal waste reduction, were delivered. These outputs will underpin future material-cycle closure efforts.

Planned approach and implementation

Independent work within each material group combined with cross-sector meetings and experience exchange proved successful, and an active reference group contributed constructive critique. The research consortium addressed sector-specific challenges successfully and developed and evaluated solutions to reduce waste, and increase recycling and reuse. Cross-sector efforts have created ideas and proposals for future technical and knowledge-based solutions. The project has established a network that will contribute to the future development of circular economy.