Circular Plastics – A resource for the production of the future

Project Background
Plastics play a crucial role in manufacturing and the daily operations of many companies. However, far too little plastic is recycled, leading to wasted resources and unnecessary environmental strain. A study published by Innovation Fund Denmark estimates that Denmark could save up to DKK 1.6 billion simply by increasing plastic recycling and reducing dependence on virgin plastic. Additionally, the market is shifting: customers and regulators are increasingly demanding sustainable solutions.

Objective
The project's goal is to make it easier for manufacturing companies to adopt circular plastic solutions in their business models, paving the way for a more sustainable plastics industry in Denmark. By reducing plastic waste, the project aims to create new commercial opportunities and improve the competitiveness of companies that succeed in making the transition.

The project primarily targets small and medium-sized Danish enterprises (SMEs) that either produce or use plastics in their products—regardless of industry. Participants may include companies seeking to reduce plastic consumption, develop new sustainable products, or simply needing guidance to navigate the transition to circular practices.

Project Activities
The initiative is structured around three main activities: a mapping program, a sprint program, and a new Academy for Circular Plastics.

Mapping program: Discover opportunities in Circular Plastics
Over 50 companies will take part in a 3-day program where, together with relevant experts, they analyze their current use of plastics and explore circular opportunities. As part of the program, companies will receive:

✔ Strategic anchoring of potential circular initiatives
✔ A tailored action plan with concrete circular initiatives
✔ Insights into best practices from leading companies
✔ Access to an environmental assessment tool to prioritize the most effective actions

Sprint Program: From planning to action
Following the mapping phase, the companies will proceed to a sprint program, working either individually or in groups of 5–10 companies to implement their circular initiatives. Possible focus areas include:

✔ Designing products that are easier to recycle
✔ Establishing take-back schemes for plastic products
✔ Implementing new production processes that incorporate recycled plastic
✔ Developing new business models that support circular economy principles

Academy for Circular Plastics: Anchoring knowledge and competencies
To ensure long-term impact, an Academy for Circular Plastics will be established. The academy will offer:

✔ Courses and workshops for companies aiming to work with circular plastic production
✔ A circularity guide with practical recommendations for design and plastic recycling
✔ Access to a growing network of companies and experts within circular plastics

Value for participants
The ambition is for participating companies to achieve lower material usage and costs, enhanced competitiveness in a market demanding sustainable solutions, greater resilience to future regulation, and strong integration into a thriving network of circular plastics pioneers.

Center for SME’s Role
The Center for SME is responsible for designing and facilitating the sprint programs and leading the accompanying research. Building on knowledge and experience from the previous “Gentænk NU!” project—and its associated methodology—a new sprint model will be developed specifically for companies interested in transitioning to circular plastic practices. Companies will receive tailored guidance on how to lead the transformation towards more sustainable plastic use.

Additionally, the Center will develop and deliver a “Gentænk NU!” training course for staff at the Danish Technological Institute. The course follows a train-the-trainer format, gradually equipping the Institute to independently run the sprint programs.

Accompanying Research
The research component will focus on the motivations behind SME participation, how many succeed in integrating more sustainable plastics, and why. It will also explore what it takes for SMEs to want to and be able to adopt sustainable materials.

This research will take place throughout the 2-year project period. Insights and results will be presented and discussed with project partners in biannual learning loops to ensure continuous adaptation and relevance.

About the project
The project is led by the Danish Technological Institute and funded by the Danish Industry Foundation. It runs until the end of 2027. In addition to the Technological Institute and the Center for SME, partners include Aalborg University (AAU), University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Clean, and the Danish Plastics Federation.