Sustainability thanks to the circular economy

26.06.2024

What is the circular economy?

The circular economy is an economic model that focuses on sustainability and resource conservation. The aim of the circular economy is to optimize the use of raw materials and minimize waste by keeping products, materials and resources in a closed loop and keeping them in the economic cycle for as long as possible. By definition, the circular economy regards waste products as secondary raw materials that can be returned to the production cycle through recycling processes. In Germany, the sustainable circular economy is promoted by various laws and regulations in order to reduce environmental pollution and increase efficiency in the use of natural resources.

Advantages of the circular economy

The circular economy offers numerous advantages that include both ecological and economic aspects. Through the principle of reusing, repairing and recycling products, the circular economy reduces the amount of waste and the need to extract new raw materials. This helps to conserve natural resources and reduce pollution.

Companies that implement circular economy models can reduce their costs for materials and at the same time increase their competitiveness through innovation. Customer relationships can be strengthened by offering sustainable products and services, which has a positive impact on the company's image.

In addition, the circular economy promotes the creation of new jobs, particularly in the areas of recycling and sustainability. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient use of materials also makes an important contribution to climate protection.

Exhibitors & products around recycling

The challenges of implementing a circular economy

The implementation of a circular economy faces numerous challenges that affect both economic and ecological aspects. A central circular scheme in the economy aims to use resources efficiently and minimize waste. In Germany, circular economy recycling is being intensively promoted in order to feed waste materials back into the production process as secondary raw materials.

One of the biggest challenges is the integration of sustainable practices into existing production and consumption processes. This requires investment in new technologies and an adaptation of the infrastructure. In addition, consumers need to be made aware of the issue and encouraged to rethink. The legal framework must also be constantly adapted and optimized in order to support the circular economy in waste management and create ecologically and economically viable incentives.

Picture: Cubes placed next to each other. Three cubes show the green recycling symbol, six white cubes show an industrial plant as a pictogram; Copyright: envato

The implementation of material cycles in industry must be further advanced. Copyright: envato

Current status of the circular economy in the plastics sector

The circular economy in the plastics sector is a dynamic field that deals with the sustainable use and reuse of plastic materials. Progress in this area includes the development of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, innovative recycling technologies and improved collection and sorting processes. Companies and research institutions are working together to improve the life cycle analysis of plastic products to reduce their environmental impact.

Political measures, such as increasing the recyclate rate in new products and promoting closed material cycles, play a key role in promoting the circular economy. The reduction of plastic waste, the avoidance of microplastics and the implementation of standards for the circular economy in companies continue to pose challenges. The development towards a circular economy is not only essential for the environment, but also offers economic opportunities through increased efficiency and the creation of new markets.

If you would like to find out more about chemical recycling, you may be interested in this interview with Jochen Schofer, Head of Sales of the Recycling Business Unit at Coperion GmbH!

Image: Women's hands with white nail polish holding a black cosmetics bottle; Copyright: dimetradim - stock.adobe.com

Even if consumers put products in black bottles into the recycling loop, it is not always guaranteed that they can actually be recycled. This is now set to change. Copyright: dimetradim - stock.adobe.com

Waste4Future: A project to implement the circular economy in practice

Seven Fraunhofer research teams are also focusing on the circular economy in the Waste4Future project (see box). In this project, everything depends on precise waste sorting to produce the purest possible recyclates. At the heart of the project: a sensor suite for sorting plants. This should also make it possible to detect black waste particles, for example. Up to now, these have not been recognized and sorted out by many systems - for example, black shower gel packaging, which then ends up in the incineration plant. Yoghurt lids are also often a problem if they have not been separated from the plastic in the pot. Both the aluminum lid and the plastic cup then end up in the aluminum cycle and thus in the smelter - and the plastic is lost for recycling.

The sensor suite helps to identify substances and determines whether a sample is still suitable for recycling. Depending on the age of the fraction, mechanical or chemical recycling is conceivable. Finally, the collected data is linked and evaluated using machine learning. As a large amount of data is collected, a digital twin is also used. Dr. Gert Homm, scientist at Fraunhofer IWKS, explains in a press release on the topic: "Digital twins help to reduce the mass of data to the elementary core data and pass it on to an evaluation model that we are developing in the project and that reorganizes the previously process-led recycling chain into a material-led chain." Energy consumption and the CO2 footprint are also recorded. Overall, the system provides data on how the plastics can be optimally recycled and where they stand in comparison. At the end in December 2024, the researchers would then like to compare some components made from old plastic with new products. We are looking forward to the results!

Institutes and facilities of the Waste4Future project

Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS
Fraunhofer Institute for Non-Destructive Testing IZFP
Fraunhofer Research Institution for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies IWKS
Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB
Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR
Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF
Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV

Exhibitors & products around digitalisation

Optimizing the circular economy through Industry 4.0: the PlasticBOND project

The Institute of Plastics Processing in Industry and the Skilled Crafts (German: Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung - IKV) at RWTH Aachen University is also conducting targeted research into optimizing the circular economy. For example, the PlasticBOND project is working with industry to find solutions that can be integrated into Industry 4.0 and lead to better product developments and processes, for example for recyclates. The aim is also to improve the sustainability of plastic material cycles through digitalization. It is also being examined whether and how a material passport for products can play a role in this. Anyone wishing to find out more about the project can do so here (website in German only).

Copyright: Parradee - stock.adobe.com

The importance of the circular economy for a sustainable future

The circular economy will definitely play a central role in a sustainable future. By minimizing waste and maximizing the reuse of resources, companies are helping to conserve natural resources. The implementation of circular processes in waste management is therefore essential. It not only promotes sustainability, but also efficiency and cost-effectiveness in production and consumption.

Companies that are committed to the circular economy are often pioneers in innovation and sustainability practices. They design their business models so that products and materials are managed in closed loops, leading to a reduction in environmental impact and the creation of sustainable value.

In summary, the circular economy is an indispensable part of sustainable development and offers both environmental and economic benefits.