Seven member companies of the Low-Carbon Emitting Technologies (LCET) initiative of the World Economic Forum have signed a collaboration agreement with renowned Dutch innovation organisation TNO to support the LCET Research & Development Hub. Among the participants are BASF, Covestro, Dow, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical, SABIC and Solvay.

 

The R&D Hub will primarily focus on developing new technologies for waste processing that have a lower CO2 footprint and enables greater levels of plastic waste recycling than currently possible. The LCET R&D Hub for Waste Processing is LCET’s first project.

 

As a private sector driven initiative, the R&D Hub will tackle technical challenges associated with waste processing and help address industry-specific issues related to the development of mechanical and chemical recycling routes. The first set of R&D projects is set to launch in the second half of 2023. The projects are aimed at making significant strides towards more sustainable waste processing practices and also target technologies to increase waste suitable for recycling. This in alignment with the Low Carbon Emission ambition and next to innovative technologies for efficient plastic waste recycling.

 

TNO will host and manage the R&D Hub, lead the technology development, orchestrate and conduct the projects.

 

"This unique co-creation between the LCET members, our experts and innovation partners will result in practical and disruptive technology solutions to enable the development of circular plastics with a lower environmental footprint," said Henk-Jan Vink, Managing Director Energy and Materials Transition, TNO.

 

"We are very proud to be selected as the host and orchestrator of this great initiative. This unique co-creation between the LCET members, our experts and innovation partners will result in practical and disruptive technology solutions to enable the development of circular plastics with a lower environmental footprint. TNO is confident to further build on its experience in the field of circular modelling, packaging and materials know-how and provide the industry with fit-for-use solutions,” said Henk-Jan Vink.

 

Koen Janssen has been appointed as Hub Director and Jan Harm Urbanus as Technical Challenge coordinator.