FCC Medio Ambiente is participating in the development of the European research project PROSPER 'Promoting innovation for sustainable sorting and recycling of dedicated bio-based plastics', led by the University of Ghent.

PROSPER proposes a solution for the sorting and recycling of bio-based plastics through the reactivation of bioplastics within the packaging market, achieving a fully circular value chain for these materials. The project will be demonstrated in three EU countries: Spain, Italy and France, where the main players in the plastics sector will propose a feasible solution for this flow: from its manufacture and use by consumers to its management as waste, recycling and subsequent reintroduction into the market.

Bioplastics are currently considered a sustainable substitute for fossil-based plastics. However, a structure for their separation in waste treatment plants and subsequent mechanical and chemical recycling compatible with the current management of other flows and allowing the manufacture of quality plastic products has yet to be established.

As a major player in waste management, FCC Medio Ambiente will lead the demonstrator in Spain focusing on:

• study the behaviour of bioplastics in treatment lines,
• develop and validate a sorting and separation system based on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and hyperspectral cameras,
• and analyse the quality of separation of bioplastics by citizens before and after surveys and training campaigns.

The PROSPER project aims to improve the recycling rates of these bioplastics through citizen participation, the use of new AI sorting systems in treatment plants and the improvement of mechanical and chemical recycling systems.

This project is part of the Excellence and Innovation axis of FCC Medio Ambiente's 2050 Sustainability Strategy, a 30-year business development roadmap that integrates very demanding objectives and commitments with high added value for the company and society as a whole, and which are integrated into four axis of action: environmental, social, excellence and good governance. Specifically in the Excellence axis, the aim is for the company to invest at least 1% of its turnover in R&D&I projects by 2050.

In addition to FCC Medio Ambiente, the project is made up of 18 members at European level, both companies and research institutions: Ghent University (Belgium), DMTR Consulting SRL (Italy), Stichting Wageningen Research (Netherlands), European Bioeconomy Bureau (Belgium), Novamont SPA (Italy), Fundació Universitaria Balmes (Spain), Stichting National Testcentrum Circulaire Plastics (Netherlands), Futerro (Belgium), Asociación de Investigación de la Industria del Juguete, Conexas y Afines (Spain), Envico Research SL (Spain), PolyPerception (Belgium), A2A SPA (Italy), Bio-tec Biologische Naturverpackungen GMBH & CO. KG (Germany), Empresa Municipal Innovación y Transporte Urbano de Las Rozas de Madrid SA (Spain), Suez (France), Procter & Gamble Services Company NV (Belgium) and the company SREP SA CITEO (France) as an affiliated entity.

PROSPER has been funded by the Bio-based Circular Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) whose role is to boost European bio-based circular industries competitively. The project will have a duration of 48 months and a total budget of €10,196,836.25.