Recycling of mixed plastic waste is still a major challenge, while the costs of recycled plastics still being higher than virgin ones. Bio-upcycling of plastic waste into higher value products could help valorizing mixed plastic waste. AAU is coordinating a Horizon Europe Innovation Action project (called UPCYCLE) where we are scaling up chemo-enzymatic processes to depolymerize plastic waste, followed by whole-cell upcycling into novel building blocks, additives and polymers with improved recyclability. The session will show how biotechnology can contribute to a more sustainable plastic sector, by integrating existing technologies and producing renewable materials with improved functionality.

The PETfection project under the TRACE platform is advancing a new chemical‑recycling route for converting household PET waste into high‑purity, virgin‑grade recycled PET (rPET). Using Aalborg University’s prototype flow reactor, the process depolymerizes PET with superheated water. This approach significantly improves both the quality and yield of rPET compared to today’s mechanical recycling, even when handling contaminated household packaging. The session will highlight the project’s proof‑of‑concept results, the collaborative value‑chain approach involving universities and industry partners, and the potential for scaling a more efficient, more circular PET recycling system

Mechanical recycling is still the work horse and primary route to circularity in industrial plastics; yet achieving both sufficient volumes and consistently high material quality remains a major challenge. This session presents insights from recent projects (including CFIT and RHQI) focused on enabling companies to integrate high‑grade recycled thermoplastics into their products. The aim: to maximize material value and promote true circularity, ideally by reusing recycled plastics in the companies’ own product lines. 

The Zero Waste project addresses the waste challenge through a holistic, top‑down approach to the waste hierarchy by bringing together the right internal competencies across existing silos in production, product development, and business operations. By creating a clear overview of waste, barriers, and opportunities, the project helps companies envision and develop future scenarios that support more resource‑efficient practices.

As one of the last EU Member States, rules on extended producer responsibility for packaging entered into force on 31 December 2024, with the transfer of responsibility for waste management taking effect from 1 October 2025. The parties to the 2022 political agreement acknowledge that the introduction of extended producer responsibility is a major and complex task, entailing a comprehensive green transition of the Danish waste sector. In addition, they seek to ensure that producer responsibility is organised in a user-friendly and cost-effective manner and provides producers with a strong financial incentive for increased reuse, material reduction, and recycling. Producer responsibility will mean that costs are lifted from citizens’ waste fees as costs for the management of packaging waste are transferred to producers.

Discover how closed-loop systems not only drive sustainability forward but also improve resilience and unlock financial benefits driven by European legislation, understanding the requirements behind and highlighting which European countries have some of the most supportive legislations for circularity. Learn how to combine financial and environmental benefits to drive commercial growth and how Faerch partnered with one of the largest providers of databases on emission factors to increase transparency around mechanically recycled PET from food packaging and how low we expect the carbon footprint can go by 2030 - using circularity to drive climate action.

Packaging is more than just protection – it is a powerful branding tool. Point-of-sale packaging must attract and sell, while pharma and personal care packaging must inform and build trust. At the same time, regulatory requirements are increasing, and the EU is pushing for higher recycling rates at the packaging’s “end of life.”

In this presentation, we will show how innovative label solutions can strengthen both compliance and brand value, while also contributing to higher-quality circular plastic packaging. We will share concrete examples and present the technological standards that drive our ECO-design approach. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Claus has deep expertise in adhesive technology and materials that ensure optimal performance on different packaging surfaces – helping brands combine design, functionality, sustainability, and, not least, higher-quality circular plastic packaging.

This presentation introduces recent experimental work on intelligent sorting of plastics using digital watermarks. Embedded, invisible codes enable highly accurate identification and separation of different packaging materials, as demonstrated in pilot‑scale trials. The results highlight both the technological potential and the practical challenges associated with real‑world implementation.