An EU funded project has demonstrated that maritime waste including used fishing nets can be transformed into high quality plastic raw materials at a competitive price.
The RETRAWL project headed up by Denmark based Plastix – a Danish cleantech company transforming discarded fishing nets and trawls into valuable green raw materials, sought to create an innovative plastic recycling model to address the problem of marine debris and the plastification of the oceans.
In addition, the project partners set out to exploit the technology to other European and global markets with an initial focus on Spain, and to investigate and implement a closed loop, or an almost closed loop, business model for the maritime industry.
The project showed that Plastix' recyclates from discarded nets, trawls and ropes, out favoured similar virgin plastics when it came to carbon footprint.
In addition it also demonstrated that the development and build of a large scale innovative recycling technology plant can be done at a cost competitive unit treatment price.
The partners in the project want to see its business model broadened to a circular business model for the whole maritime industry.
Plastix works with NGOs, the fishing industry and ports to collect discarded fishing gear and provides a certification programme designed for suppliers and producers.
The organisations’ technology and processes aim to solve the significant waste stream problem, contribute to a more circular blue and green economy by reducing landfilling, marine pollution, CO2 emissions and protecting valuable resources.
