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Technological Challenges and Opportunities to Plastics Valorization in the Context of a Circular Economy in Europe

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  • Felix Carl Schultz

    (Department of Economic Ethics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany)

  • Robert Jaroslav Reinhardt

    (Sustainable Business Consultancy & Research, 53173 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

The transition to a fully-fledged circular economy (CE) has proven to be challenging for many industries. Despite possible competitive advantages of moving industries towards CE activities, their practical implementation is still limited. This communication article delivers ad interim an identification of technological challenges and opportunities for the European plastics industries to facilitate circularity ambitions. In applying the qualitative-empirical Gioia-method utilizing the GABEK-WinRelan tool, specific technological challenges and opportunities for plastics industries were identified. Major findings indicate that technological challenges for plastics are predominantly seen in (C1) secondary material contamination; (C2) recycling processing issues; (C3) production processing issues; (C4) production material quality issues; and (C5) end-product quality issues, while the opportunities lie in (O1) effective secondary material management; (O2) innovation for chemical recycling; (O3) innovation for production and processability; (O4) innovative materials; and (O5) innovative end-products. This article contributes to the contemporary debate of CE challenges and opportunities to plastics valorization by highlighting the promising role of chemical recycling on a monomer-level as a key facilitator to a circular plastics economy. Further, it was found that technological transitions must be coupled with compatible market incentive mechanisms guided by effective institutional structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Felix Carl Schultz & Robert Jaroslav Reinhardt, 2023. "Technological Challenges and Opportunities to Plastics Valorization in the Context of a Circular Economy in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3741-:d:1072381
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Piero Morseletto, 2020. "Restorative and regenerative: Exploring the concepts in the circular economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(4), pages 763-773, August.
    2. Vasileios Rizos & Arno Behrens & Wytze Van der Gaast & Erwin Hofman & Anastasia Ioannou & Terri Kafyeke & Alexandros Flamos & Roberto Rinaldi & Sotiris Papadelis & Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers & Corrado , 2016. "Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-18, November.
    3. de Jesus, Ana & Mendonça, Sandro, 2018. "Lost in Transition? Drivers and Barriers in the Eco-innovation Road to the Circular Economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 75-89.
    4. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    5. John A. Mathews & Hao Tan, 2011. "Progress Toward a Circular Economy in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 15(3), pages 435-457, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Felix Carl Schultz & Vladislav Valentinov & Robert Jaroslav Reinhardt & Ingo Pies, 2024. "The circular economy rebound effect: Reconceptualizing rebound approaches and mitigation opportunities from an ordonomic perspective," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(3), pages 374-385, June.
    2. Ibrahim NIFTIYEV & Delia DAVID & Marioara IORDAN & Petru HORGA, 2024. "A Multivariate Performance Analysis Of The Plastics Manufacturers: Comparative Analysis Of European Regions," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 19(1), pages 167-188, April.

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