Imagine a giant recycling workshop on wheels that drives into a neighborhood to turn old plastic parts into new products. Instead of sending tough plastics from wind turbines or cars to a landfill, this truck processes them right on the spot. Local artists and makers then use these materials to create useful city furniture or art, keeping waste local and useful.
Reinforced polymers are difficult to recycle and usually end up in landfills, leading to economic losses and environmental damage. There is currently no sustainable circular value-chain to turn these materials into high-value products.
A mobile reprocessing plant on a truck and a set of collaborative digital tools to coordinate urban recycling events.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with reinforced polymer scrap that usually goes to landfills — this project developed a mobile reprocessing system that turns waste into high value-added applications. This transforms your waste stream into a pull-system based on actual market demand.
If you are a design firm dealing with the need for sustainable city furniture — this project developed a decentralized production system in Milan and Barcelona that uses upcycled reinforced polymers. This allows for the creation of beautiful, regenerative urban spaces using local waste.
If you are a small-scale producer dealing with high material costs — this project developed a way to source recycled reinforced polymers via a mobile truck and digital tools. This provides a low-cost, sustainable material stream for local production.
Based on available project data, specific unit costs for the mobile plant are not provided, though the EU contribution for the overall project is EUR 2,469,385.
The project focuses on a decentralized, local, and modular production system using 'Urban Factories' and mobile trucks rather than a single large-scale industrial plant.
Based on available project data, the IP arrangements are not specified, but the project involves a consortium of 9 partners including 5 SMEs.
It aligns with the Green Deal and the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities to reduce CO2 emissions and waste.
The project period runs from 2023-12-01 to 2026-05-31, with pilots being implemented in Milan and Barcelona.
The consortium is heavily industry-weighted with a 56% industry ratio, comprising 5 SMEs and 5 other industry/non-university partners. This strong commercial presence, combined with the leadership of Politecnico di Milano, suggests a focus on practical application and market viability rather than pure academic research.
Contact Politecnico di Milano regarding the mobile recycling truck pilots.
Contact us to find partners for decentralized polymer recycling.
