Circular plastics projects – Strong momentum for Dutch innovation as RVO funds ambitious circular plastics projects designed to strengthen recycling systems and accelerate national transition to sustainable material cycles 20-11-2025
Circular plastics projects
The Netherlands is accelerating its transition toward a circular plastics economy with the latest funding decisions under the CPNL Call 2025. The Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland has confirmed which initiatives will receive support on behalf of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth. The newly funded circular plastics projects span applied research, targeted pilot installations and large-scale value-chain innovation, addressing several of the most pressing challenges across the plastics lifecycle.
A total of more than eighteen million euros in grants has been allocated to nine initiatives. These projects also attracted more than one hundred million euros in private co-investment, demonstrating industry and academic willingness to strengthen a future-proof plastics system. The winners include NTCP, Van Werven, TNO, Utrecht University, ISPT, Van Dijk Containers and Morssinkhof Plastics. Together with their consortium partners, they will scale new processes, technologies and value-chain models that can significantly increase circularity. Circular plastics projects
Improved sorting technology to strengthen recycling quality
Among the selected circular plastics projects is Inline Analysis, focused on raising the quality of recycled plastics through advanced identification and separation. The initiative will develop next-generation sensor systems and AI-powered sorting models capable of recognizing a wider range of materials with greater precision. By improving plastic sorting accuracy, this project supports higher-quality recyclate and more efficient downstream processes.
Another project, ChowsAI, aims to enhance household plastic waste sorting. By integrating real-time monitoring, advanced process control and a digital twin of sorting lines, the project seeks to reduce residual waste and increase the volume of material that reenters the circular chain. These improvements are expected to deliver substantial gains in recycling efficiency. Circular plastics projects
Optical innovations for flexible plastics
Flexible plastics such as films and foils remain a major challenge for recycling, and the polarID project addresses this issue directly. This initiative is developing a polarization-based identification system that uses optical technology to recognize and sort flexible materials in real time. Greater clarity in sorting these materials supports higher throughput, cleaner output streams and a stronger base for chemical and mechanical recycling.
Advancing chemical recycling and feedstock quality
Several of the funded circular plastics projects target the advancement of chemical recycling. The OCEAN-RMP project is examining new pre-treatment strategies for mixed plastic waste, aiming to produce higher-quality feedstock for pyrolysis. The focus is on reducing contamination, improving chain efficiency and enabling economically viable chemical recycling pathways.
The CLEAN project is advancing catalytic innovation for low-temperature decontamination and upgrading of polyolefin films. By developing energy-efficient catalysts and optimized chain processes, the project aims to deliver cleaner output, lower emissions and reduced energy consumption within chemical recycling routes. Circular plastics projects
Increasing recycled plastics from cars and electronics
Plastics from end-of-life vehicles and electronic equipment represent another under-utilized resource. The RePLaCE project is increasing both the quality and the volume of recovered plastics from these waste streams. Advanced identification and purification methods will be used to remove problematic additives and improve processing reliability. The initiative focuses especially on black plastics, which are historically difficult to sort.
Building new value chains for carpets and HDPE milk bottles
Carpet recycling is a substantial opportunity for material recovery, and one of the selected circular plastics projects addresses this challenge. The High-Value Carpet Recycling initiative is developing a full value chain focused on separating and reprocessing PP, PET and PA fibers. With a pilot installation underway, the project demonstrates that recovered fibers can be spun into new yarn for commercial applications.
Similarly, the RePliCa project is closing the loop for HDPE milk bottles. Through advanced sorting, decontamination and a new demonstration plant in Heerenveen, the project aims to produce food-safe recyclate from used milk bottles, helping to reduce virgin plastic use and strengthen circular packaging systems.
Reducing microplastic emissions in recycling systems
The MiPlaR project focuses on microplastic generation during plastic packaging recycling. It will measure emissions, develop filtration innovations and propose practical process modifications to minimize microplastic release. This initiative supports environmental protection and strengthens the sustainability credentials of the entire recycling chain.
Funding remaining for the 2026 round
Although the CPNL Call 2025 had a total budget of forty-two million euros, not all proposals met the required criteria. The remaining twenty-four million euros will be redistributed during the 2026 grant round, offering further opportunities for advancing Dutch circular plastics innovation.
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