Waste Management
mid-sizeTarget: Plastic recycling plant
If you are a recycling plant dealing with contaminated ocean plastic — this project developed better sorting and recycling solutions that improve the valorization of collected marine litter.
SeaClear2.0 · Project
Autonomous Robotic System for Large-Scale Marine Plastic Collection and Recycling
environmentPilotedTRL 6
Imagine a team of smart underwater vacuum cleaners and surface boats that talk to each other to find and pick up trash. They can dive up to 100 meters deep to scrub the seafloor clean of plastics. Once the trash is collected, the system helps sort it so it can actually be turned into new products instead of just sitting in a landfill.
By the numbers
100
maximum operational depth in metres
57%
minimum percentage of existing litter collected in covered areas
3
full-scale demonstrations
3
pilot tests
The business problem
What needed solving
Marine litter, especially in the Mediterranean, is difficult to collect because 94% of it sits on the seafloor. Current methods lack the automation and scale needed to remove these plastics without high manual costs.
The solution
What was built
A team of autonomous, heterogeneous robots for mapping, detecting, and collecting litter from the surface and seafloor, alongside a sorting/recycling system and a gamified reporting app.
Audience
Who needs this
Marine robotics companiesPlastic recycling firmsCoastal city governmentsEnvironmental NGOsPort management operators
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Maritime Robotics
SMETarget: Underwater drone manufacturer
If you are a drone manufacturer dealing with limited operational depth — this project developed a team of autonomous robots capable of operating at depths of up to 100 metres for mapping and collection.
Public Administration
enterpriseTarget: Port Authority or Coastal Municipality
If you are a municipality dealing with high volumes of beach and seafloor litter — this project developed a system that can collect at least 57% of existing litter in covered areas.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost or price of the robotic system?
Based on available project data, specific pricing or cost structures for the SeaClear2.0 system are not provided.
Can this be deployed at an industrial scale?
Yes, the project aims to demonstrate scalability through 3 full-scale demonstrations and 3 pilot tests across the Mediterranean basin.
How is the IP or licensing handled?
Based on available project data, there are no specific details regarding IP ownership or licensing terms.
How does this help with environmental regulations?
The project provides evidence for new legislation and supports the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
What is the project timeline for deployment?
The project runs from 2023-01-01 to 2026-12-31, with the goal of contributing to ocean health objectives by 2030.
Consortium
Who built it
The consortium is well-balanced for commercialization, featuring 13 partners across 9 countries. With a 38% industry ratio (5 industrial partners, including 4 SMEs), there is a strong bridge between the academic research led by TU Delft and market application. The mix of universities and research centers ensures technical depth in AI and robotics, while the industry partners focus on the practicalities of recycling and deployment.
How to reach the team
Contact the Technical University of Delft (TU Delft) regarding the SeaClear2.0 robotic system.
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to connect with the SeaClear2.0 consortium for pilot opportunities.
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