Our role in the DeremCo project

We have already taken part in several other projects in which we were mainly responsible for the preparation of recycling concepts and life cycle assessments. Our main tasks in the DeremCo project are: 

• development of innovative repair and recycling concepts for natural fiber composites together with Wood K plus
• evaluation of fiber molding after mechanical recycling and particle preparation
• usage of long and short fiber fractions 

Project summary

Fiber-reinforced plastics are structural materials used in a large variety of consumer and industrial products. However, the management of post-use composite products in compliance with circular economy principles is still a serious challenge. 

The DeremCo project aims to establish a systemic, cross-sectorial, demand-driven circular economy solution that enables the cost-effective reuse of post-use composite materials and components in new high added value products. The interrelation between technical and social eco-systems at local and interregional level is taken into consideration. Two circular pilot strategies will be pursued to meet consumer requirements: 
1) mechanical demanufacturing and hybrid reprocessing, 2) thermo-chemical demanufacturing and textile reprocessing. 

In accordance with the new demand-driven vision of the project, the circular value-chain is transformed into a “pull” system, where the requirements and specifications for the materials and components to be reused are directly defined by the demand side. Local ecosystems are an important factor here, especially to raise end customers' awareness of a more sustainable behaviour. Another essential factor are the digital platforms in which the respective value chains are involved.

To achieve these goals, Lombardy (Italy), Basque Country (Spain), Tampere (Finland), Slovenia and Upper Austria (Austria) will demonstrate 14 composite re-use business cases with tested sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes, then replicated and multiplicated in other European regions.