#Project: DeremCo - De&Remanufacturing for Circular Economy Investments in the Composite Industry

10.07.2023

DeremCo will demonstrate the demand-driven circular economy potentials of post-use composites at large scale by unlocking their systematic re-use as secondary material sources in new products across multiple European sectors.

30 European partners from Italy, Finland, Austria, Spain, Slovenia, Belgium and Portugal are collaborating on the EU-funded project, which was launched in December 2022.

Fiber-reinforced plastics are the structural components of a wide range of consumer and industrial goods. However, managing composite products after their use in accordance with circular economy principles is a major challenge. The DeremCo project aims to create a systemic, cross-sectoral, demand-driven circular economy solution that enables the cost-effective reuse of composite materials and components after their use in new value-added products. This solution will be based on the interaction between the technical and social ecosystems at local and interregional levels and will benefit the environment, industry, consumers and European society.

To meet consumer demand, two circular pilot processes will be used:

◾ mechanical disassembly and hybrid reprocessing
◾ thermo-chemical disassembly and textile reprocessing.

The circular value chain will be transformed into a "pull" system, in line with DeremCo's new demand-driven vision, where the requirements and specifications for the materials and components to be reused are directly transferred from the demand side in terms of the qualities and functions of the high value-added products in which they will be reused. The main objectives are to promote industrial use within local ecosystems, reduce the risk of future industrial use through private investment, and raise awareness of more conscious consumer behavior to ensure sustainability and continuity.

Background:

◾ DeremCo project represents the answer to a European need, identified within the Vanguard interregional network. It is also based on tangible and promising results coming from FiberEUse project.
◾ EU contribution: EUR 8.822.752
◾ Months duration: 36
◾ Demonstration cases: 14

www.deremco.afil.it