polynSPIRE project
A new way to recycle plastic
| Business | Period | Project Coordinator | Funding Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | September 2018 - April 2023 | CIRCE |
H2020 |
Challenge
Plastics materials (e.g. PE, PP, and PET) are mainly produced from raw materials of fossil origin, and are used in a wide range of applications, thus creating a huge amount of plastic waste.
Although the recycling efforts in the EU improved, landfill is still the first or second option of treatment for post-consumer plastic waste in most Member States.
polynSPIRE project aims to substitute fossil coal with low grade plastic in Electric Arc Furnace steel production. In this context, "low grade plastic" means mixed plastic wastes, resulting from plastic recycling and with very low market value.
Our role in the project
In the framework of this project, RINA oversees material characterization, that will be carried out in our chemical lab and high-temperature lab.
Moreover, we will conduct a feasibility study exploiting our process know-how and our lab furnace for small scale tests (to be carried out before performing industrial trials).
Finally, we will support project partners with the evaluation of industrial trials.
Conclusion
The project demonstrated the feasibility to substitute fossil coal with low grade plastic in Electric Arc Furnace steel production.
According to polynSPIRE results, the rate of substitution may be increased by testing new operating practices.
Moreover, the project allowed to gain experience in polymer utilization in EAF and this result can be improved and applied to other steel factories as well.
The research project polynSPIRE receives funding from the European Union‘s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 under grant agreement no. 820665.
Project Consortium
The polynSPIRE consortium consists of 21 partner organizations lead by CIRCE (SPAIN).
The consortium is well-balanced in terms of involvement of industrial and SME partners:
1. REPSOL QUIMICA (SPAIN), 2. ARKEMA (FRANCE), 3. NOVAMONT (ITALY), 4. NUREL (SPAIN), 5. KORDSA (TURKEY), 6. IONIQA (NETHERLANDS), 7. NIC (SLOVENIA), 8. FM (GERMANY), 9. TU/e (NETHERLANDS), 10. AITIIP (SPAIN), 11. BADA (SPAIN), 12. MAIER UK (UK), 13. CSM SPA (ITALY), 14. FENO (ITALY), 15. I.BLU (ITALY), 16. HTT ENG (CZECH REPUBLIC), 17. CPPE d.o.o. (SLOVENIA), 18. DS (DENMARK), 19. EUPC (BELGIUM), 20. IKMIB (TURKEY)