EsPlásticos and its proposal around the circularity of plastics and innovation in Spain.
In order to contribute to the implementation of the European Economic Recovery Plan, Next Generation EU and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, presented by the Spanish government, the EsPlásticos platform (of which Torrent Group is a member) has developed a macroproject tractor proposal based on circularity of plastics and innovation. The objective is to drive the organic transition which is one of the cornerstones of the plan, together with digital transformation, social and territorial cohesion and equality.
The macroproject presented by the plastics industry, which is open to other companies, is being supported by 25 companies in the sector from 11 autonomous communities in Spain.
With a planned investment of 262 million Euros, the member companies hope to achieve a double objective in the next four years: generate over 673 new jobs and reduce their carbon footprint during that period by 10% to 25%.
AIMPLAS will be the coordinating company of this macro research project on the circularity of plastics
The initiative is coordinated by AIMPLAS, as the leading technological centre in the plastics sector, and includes in its development the creation of a research center focused on the circularity of plastics. The launching of this centre is required in order to overcome all the barriers implied by the development of new processes and products at the research level.
The project has 17 lines of action that focus on the field of product eco-design and recyclability; the inclusion of new, more sustainable and innovatory source materials; the modernization and increase of capacity in mechanical and chemical recycling; social awareness; and quality, traceability, characterization, labelling and creation of intelligent waste collection systems. Furthermore, plans include working on new systems of Extended Producer Responsibility (ERP) for agricultural plastics, industrial and commercial containers and packaging (such as fruit boxes or chemical product containers) and other types of products such as fishing nets and tackle, pallets and textiles.
The circularity of plastics consists of keeping materials and products in the circle of the economy for the longest time, thus preventing the generation of waste and reintroducing recycled plastics into new products. This is undoubtedly a project that can encompass the actions required in forthcoming years throughout the value chain. It will also help a sector that today needs to be revitalized more than ever owing to applicable regulations, and which represents 21% of the Spanish manufacturing industry and 2.7% of its GDP: a total of 3,000 companies, of which 98% are SMEs and micro-SMEs.
(*) Press release issued by EsPlásticos