Scaling circular Initiatives (EN), examples for Industrial Packaging

Presentations

The session, led by Mark Demuynck (Circular Plastics NL), brought together Willemijn Peeters (Searious Business) and Jolien Stevels (Trioworld) to share insights on scaling up circular innovations in the plastics sector. Two pioneering projects were featured: The Ocean Bag, initiated by Searious Business with partners including Versnellingshuis, LC Packaging, Worldbag, Bas van den Ende, Re3V, and Procter & Gamble; and SKILLS – Closing the Loop on Industrial LLDPE Stretch Film, developed by Trioworld with Broeckx Recycling, Grolsch, and NTCP.

Willemijn Peeters illustrated how reuse can be a game-changer in plastic circularity. The Ocean Bag project promotes the reuse of large flexible packaging (big bags), currently often single-use. She stressed the importance of reverse logistics, traceability, and behavioral change to make reuse viable, and emphasized that collaboration in consortia is key to demonstrating its economic potential.

Jolien Stevels presented SKILLS, which aims to close the loop on industrial stretch film by using at least 50% recycled content without compromising performance. She noted that contamination and material quality remain challenges, requiring innovations in both design and recycling processes.

Both speakers pointed out that European legislation, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), is driving companies toward more sustainable packaging. The session ended with a discussion on the infrastructure and partnerships needed to accelerate circularity in plastics.