News
Most important news about the INCREACE project
INCREACE Crash Course series: Learning from the Business Cases
In this crash course, we will dive into the key learnings from our business cases. We like to call these the heart of the INCREACE project.Crash Course 30 October 2025 Each business case explores a different polymer used in electronic applications, including...
INCREACE Crash Course series: High Quality WEEE Recycling
How can we turn complex plastic fractions from WEEE into valuable resources for the circular economy?Crash Course 23 October 2025 In this crash course, we dive into the innovative recycling technologies we use in INCREACE: 🔹 Mechanical recycling 🔹 Chemical recycling 🔹...
INCREACE Crash Course series: Environmental and Costing Assessment
In this INCREACE Crash Course we dive into the environmental and economic aspects of recycling innovations.Crash Course 16 October 2025 The session features three insightful parts: 🔹Fraunhofer – presenting results on the environmental assessment of different recycling...
INCREACE Crash Course series: WEEE Plastics Sourcing
How can we source and use more recycled plastics in electronics?Crash Course 2 October 2025 At the heart of INCREACE are five business cases, each tackling different challenges in plastics sourcing, sorting, and recycling. Over the past three years, our partners have...
INCREACE Crash Course series: Regulation & Policy
How do regulation and policy shape the circular economy for plastics and electronics?Crash Course 25 September 2025 In this session, we explore:🔹 Key barriers impacting circularity🔹Drivers enabling sustainable recycling pathways🔹 A deep dive into medical devices (in...
INCREACE Crash Course series: Circular Product Design
Did you know designers play a key role in making products truly circular?In this webinar, we will explore two crucial intervention points in a product’s lifecycle.Crash Course 18 September 2025 These two crucial intervention points ina product's lifecycle are: 🔹...
INCREACE Crash Course series: Introduction
The transition to a circular economy for plastics in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is gaining momentum. Last week, we lauched the INCREACE Crash Course Series where professionals, researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders now have a...
We attended E-Waste World Conference
At the E-Waste World Conference in Frankfurt, David Pfeffer (ETH Zürich) and Theresa Aigner (Fraunhofer IZM) had the opportunity to share preliminary findings from our ongoing Life Cycle Costing and Life Cycle Assessment of various e-waste recycling technologies. Our...
INCREACE produced the first demonstrator with recycled materials
Milestone achieved! Our consortium partner Cabka has just unveiled the very first prototype pallets with electrostatic discharge (ESD) properties produced from recycled polypropylene (PP)! Key takeaways from the prototype - Impressive Resistivity: Recycled PP...
6th General Assembley at Neste’s headquarters
We recently held a very successful 6th General Assembly at Neste's headquarters! As we enter the final third of the project, we are proud to reflect on the progress made and the collaborative spirit that drives us forward. Key Takeaways Over three days, partners...
Throwback to recent events introducing & testing our RAT-tool
We are excited to share the success of our recent events introducing & testing the beta version of the INCREACE Recyclability Assessment Tool (RAT).Webinar On March 26th, the great brains behind the tool Sharina Ligtelijn, Michiel Henning, Thijs Feenstra,...
Comparing ESD materials
During this period, ESD material made with virgin plastic was compared with ESD recycled based material using injected plates and specimens at laboratory scale.The results obtained to date are quite similar at this scale, as the ESD properties obtained with virgin...
Video: The importance of engaging consumers at the beginning of a design process
Flora Poppelaars of Partners for Innovation is an industrial design engineer specialised in consumer behaviour in the transition to a circular economy. Partners for Innovation is Work Package 5 leader. The goal of the WP is to enhance society’s participation in the...
What’s currently happening within INCREACE?
In the technical work packages there is a lot going on, first batches of specific materials are send for compounding and eagerly awaited for prototyping. For most of our business cases we are talking about pilot amounts of 10 to 25 kg of material. These will allow to...
Event Recyclability Assessment Tool – RAT
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the introduction to the beta version of the INCREACE recyclability assessment tool (RAT) for electronic small household devices Online: Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (your local time) In an online introduction we...
INCREACE partner ETH Zurich at “STEPS towards sustainable plastics” conference, Lund
In October 2024, David Pfeffer from INCREACE partner ETH Zurich presented at the STEPS Towards Sustainable Plastics Conference in Lund, Sweden. The conference marked the culmination of an eight-year consortium project that brought together researchers, policymakers,...
7.1 CE framework for effective plastics recycling
This deliverable describes a generic CE framework on effective plastics recycling, i.e. the role of recycling of plastics in a circular economy. This framework aims to demonstrate how and where (re)compounders, plastic converters, and OEMs can source waste...
We need to get more involved with our e-waste
To motivate consumers to buy fewer electronic devices, to use them longer and to return them when they are really finished, their behaviour needs to be changed. History, other cultures and even grieving processes teach us that more visibility and community spirit...
Work Package 7: CE SYSTEM PERSPECTIVE
CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF? Ive Vanderreydt from VITO is leading Work Package (WP) 7. Ive is circular economy expert at VITO, focusing mainly on the coordination and implementation of policy support studies that help to unlock the potential of the circular economy....
your product at the heart of our design project
Do you want more customers to bring back your products at the end-of-use? Within our Horizon Europe project INCREACE, we are designing innovative collection solutions for electrical and electronic equipment by engaging consumers.Your product at our design project?...
Business case of cabka
The goal of the Cabka business case is to add recycled PP into pallets showing electrostatic discharge (ESD) characteristics, keeping the ESD and required mechanical properties of the standard pallets. In this article, you can read about their work done. The strategy...
Our progress so far
WP1 – DATA DRIVEN SORTING, ANALYSIS AND TRACEABILITY With the change of perception from end-of-life products as waste towards those items being a source of secondary raw materials, we identified products streams which seemed most promising to yield high quality...
Evaluating the effectiveness of density-based sorting of plastics from WEEE and ELVs
Evaluating the effectiveness of density-based sorting of plastics from WEEE and ELVsThe Life Cycle Engineering research group of SIM2 – KU Leuven has investigated the effectiveness of density-based sorting processes for separating recyclable plastics used in...
INCREACE at Electronics Goes Green Conference
From June 17th to 20th, several INCREACE partners and advisory board members attended the "Electronics Goes Green Conference – From Silicon to Sustainability" in Berlin. Organized by Fraunhofer IZM, the conference featured over 200 presentations by researchers,...
Work Package 4: Business Case
The business cases of Work Package (WP) 4 are the ‘motor’ of the project, where each task corresponds to a business case and is led by an industrial partner. The WP leader is Maastricht University. We talked with one of the WP leaders Rucha K., about the WP activities...
Work Package 3: Circular product design
Work Package (WP) 3 looks at the challenge from a design/er perspective. We interviewed WP 3 leaders M.Sc. Eduard Wagner from Fraunhofer IZM and Thijs Feenstra from Pezy Group about their activities and role in the project.Can you introduce yourself? Eduard Wagner: "I...
Work package 2: Advanced recycling technologies
Work package 2 leaders Dr. Martin Schlummer and Laura Strobl are working at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV. Fraunhofer is the leading organisation for applied research in Europe, undertaking contract research on behalf of industry,...
Work package 1: Data driven sorting, analysis and traceability
James Veale has a 30-year career in commodity trading. In 2020, he and his business partner founded GreenToken, a company that uses digital twin tokens on a blockchain ledger to represent mixed flows of bulk commodities. He now leads the sales and marketing arm of...
Podcast ‘Trash Talkin’!’
Our sister project, PRIMUS, has launched the podcast 'Trash Talkin'!'. In this podcast series you will explore a wide range of topics, from recycling in Europe to interesting sustainable initiatives. In this episode, our partner Fraunhofer IZM, Theresa Aigner and...
Workshop on design for and from recycling
In order to increase the share of plastic recyclates in consumer goods design is key! But what can currently be done, what should I pay attention to when designing with second life materials? In this workshop we will provide latest insights on the state of the art of...
The role of the Advisory Board of INCREACE
In the dynamic landscape of research and innovation, projects under Horizon Europe often benefit from the strategic guidance and external perspectives offered by Advisory Boards. These boards play a pivotal role in steering projects towards success by providing...
Meet the partner: Simon Van den Eynde of KU Leuven
Simon van den Eynde graduated from KU Leuven with a Bachelor in Engineering Science and a Master in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently doing his PhD research at KU Leuven, focusing on sensor-based sorting of non-ferrous metals and plastics.Can you shortly...
Meet the partner: Ive Vanderreydt from Vito
Ive Vanderreydt has been working for VITO for 25 years. At VITO, he currently focuses on sustainability assessments within resource management, with specific expertise in the environmental impacts of waste treatment and materials management. Can you shortly introduce...
Transforming the Plastic Recycling Value Chain
Plastic waste is a global environmental challenge, with an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. To address this issue, the European Union has set an ambitious goal to ensure that by 2025, 10 million tonnes of recycled plastics are...
Work package 5: Circular Society
Flora Poppelaars and Jos Vlugter are industrial design engineers specialized in consumer behaviour in the transition to a circular economy. They work as consultants in the Circular Economy team of Partners for Innovation, a Dutch consultancy for sustainable and...
EU Policy Impact on EEE Sector’s Circular Plastics Uptake
As part of their INCREACE research focusing on the impact of changes in EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) rules and regulations on recycling, the research team consisting of David Pfeffer, Denise Reike and Catharina Bening from ETH Zurich (SusTec) will be...
First anniversary increace project
On 1st of June, the INCREACE project celebrated its first anniversary. The past 12 months of continuous efforts have proven successful: The INCREACE consortium joined forces to tackle a common objective, namely to increase recycled content in added value products for...
Meet the partner: Janez Slapnik from Skaza
Janez Slapnik is an Expert researcher at Skaza in the Research and Innovation department. With a strong sense of responsibility, he decided to devote his professional career to conducting high-quality applied research and development as well as the industrial...
Designing valuable GOODbyes: A review of state-of-the-art ‘Design for Divestment’ literature
Consumers play a crucial role in closing loops in a circular economy, as they decide how andwhen products are returned. However, the end-of-use of products is underexplored from a consumer perspective. This final phase of the consumption cycle, also known as...
Meet the partner: Giulia Sora from Erion
Erion is the largest Italian Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for the management of WEEE, waste batteries, packaging waste and tobacco products filters and the valorisation of the raw materials within it. Can you shortly introduce your role in the...
The heart of the INCREACE project: 5 business cases
The INCREACE project is an exciting and ambitious initiative that aims to develop innovative solutions to improve the plastic recycling value chain. At the heart of the project are five challenging business cases that focus on increasing the share of recycled plastics...
Meet the partner: Thijs Feenstra from Pezy Group
Thijs Feenstra covers 14 years of experience in Concept Development, Engineering and Circulating. He works as a Circular Product Design Lead at the Pezy Group. Can you shortly introduce your role in the INCREACE project? I have experience in building bridges between...
The activities within the INCREACE project
Plastic waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges the world is facing today. According to the European Commission, only 8.4 million tonnes of plastics were recycled in 2016/less than 4 million tonnes of recycled plastics were applied in new products with...
Meet the partner: Laura Strobl from Fraunhofer IVV
Laura Strobl is a scientist and project manager and has been working at Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging - Fraunhofer IVV for more than three and half years. Can you shortly introduce your role in the INCREACE project? I conduct research in the...
Meet the partner: Mark-Olof Dirksen from Philips
Mark-Olof Dirksen is a technical project leader and senior engineer at Philips. At Philips, they strive to improve people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Can you shortly introduce your role in the INCREACE project? My focus is function...
Meet the partner: Gergana Dimitrova from Fraunhofer izm
Gergana Dimitrova is a researcher and project manager at Fraunhofer IZM. Fraunhofer IZM is the overall project coordinator of INCREACE. Can you shortly introduce your role in the INCREACE project? My name is Gergana and I have been working as a researcher and project...
Meet the partner: Jens Giegerich from Vorwerk
Jens Giegerich is coordinating the project on behalf of Vorwerk. As a trusted family business, they are committed to act in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Can you shortly introduce your role in the INCREACE project? Since I work in the area Technical...
Meet the partner: Catharina Bening and David Pfeffer from ETH Zürich
Catharina Bening leads the research on Circular Economy in the Group for Sustainability & Technology at ETH Zürich. David Pfeffer is a doctoral student at the university and his research is investigating how regulation, economics, and economic policies can foster...
Meet the partner: Layla Filiciotto from EGEN
Layla Filiciotto is a consultant at EGEN. EGEN is a company that supports different organisations in accelerating their green innovation through grant consultancy, impact assessments and other innovation services. Can you shortly introduce your role in the INCREACE...
Meet the partner: Mapi Diego from Cabka
Mapi Diego, Extrusion Materials Manager in the Innovation area of Cabka has more than 15 years of experience in the plastic sector. Cabka is a German multinational company in the business of recycling plastics from post-consumer and post-industrial waste into...
Meet the partner: Oscar Vernaez from Neste
Oscar Vernaez is the Research and Development Manager for Chemicals and Materials in Neste’s Innovation. Can you shortly introduce your role in the INCREACE project? Neste is engaged in combating climate change and promoting the circular economy. We help the...
How to label plastic waste: An introduction to blockchain
GreenToken by SAP's role within INCREACE is to provide a cloud software system that conclusively proves that new plastic material is circular and not from virgin raw sources. GreenToken by SAP developed a virtual token that can track where plastic waste comes from on...
Meet the partner: James Veale from GreenToken by SAP
James Veale is cofounder of GreenToken by SAP. He has had a 30-year career in commodities or raw materials, especially around the trading of raw materials. In 2020, he cofounded GreenToken with funds from SAP – the big German IT/ERP company. Can you shortly introduce...
INCREACE at NONTOX final event
About NONTOX Project final event On 10 November 2022, NONTOX held a final dissemination event. During this public dissemination event, NONTOX partners showcased the work performed along the entire duration of the project, highlighting achieved results and innovations....
INCREACE project has started!
Background Increasing the share of recycled plastics in new products is a central aspect of the European Strategy for Plastics, adopted by the European Commission in 2018 as a part of the first Circular Economy Action Plan (2015). One of the main goals of the Strategy...