Ghent University receives €7.5 million for groundbreaking research on making bio-based plastics circular

This four-year development project, named PROSPER, aims to enable the sorting and recycling of bio-based plastics and will demonstrate this at three waste processing facilities in Europe. In doing so, the project contributes to making the bioeconomy more circular.

The PROSPER project, fully titled Promoting innovation for sustainable sorting and recycling of dedicated bio-based plastics, brings together 18 partners from 6 countries and is the first CBE-funded project coordinated by Ghent University. This important step forward demonstrates how the university is strengthening its role in international sustainability research and the transition to a circular bioeconomy.

An innovative and promising market segment

Bio-based plastics are often seen as a green alternative to traditional, fossil fuel-based plastics. These plastics are produced from renewable resources, and some types are even biodegradable or compostable. For other types, it is essential that these plastics are properly sorted and recycled to fully realize their ecological benefits. However, these emerging bio-based plastics currently account for only 1% of the plastics in our recycling system, making it economically unfeasible for waste processors to sort them, leading to their incineration. Moreover, there are various types of bio-based plastics made from different bio-based materials. The PROSPER project specifically aims to address this challenge by using AI to recognize and sort all bio-based plastics from the rest of the plastic stream and then further separate them in a new sorting facility.

Professor Steven De Meester emphasizes the importance of a circular approach: “The fact that bioplastics are ‘bio’ is not enough to make them sustainable. They also need to be circular and must not disrupt existing recycling streams. In PROSPER, we are developing process chains and business models to ensure that bioplastics are effectively sorted and can then be recycled in an economically competitive way.”

A broad impact

The PROSPER consortium includes not only researchers from universities and research institutions but also bioplastics producers, a leading brand, an AI sorting technology supplier, and four waste management companies. The collaboration with a local authority highlights the importance of local engagement in successfully implementing circular practices.

With PROSPER, Ghent University aims not only to contribute to the sustainability of bioplastics but also to develop new models for economically viable recycling of these materials. This project has the potential to significantly strengthen the market for bioplastics and contribute to a more sustainable future for all of us.

More information about the project

Contact

Professor Steven De Meester, stevendemeester@ugent.be, +32 472 25 87 71

Dr. Nathan De Geyter, nathan.degeyter@ugent.be, +32 476 47 64 53