MAELSTROM Objective 3: Feeding circular economy and sustainability

The objective is supporting the Circular Economy Strategy, the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy aiming at having all typologies of ML and plastics removed identified, sorted and reused. MAELSTROM will combine innovative processes to recover valuable material for a new life cycle, demonstrating that a sustainable plastics economy can be possible from marine litter and providing a strategic circular marine litter vision for the future. This will be pursued by involving diversified players in the plastic value chain and deploying a mix of ML treating technologies made of physical, chemical solutions. The conversion of solid waste feedstocks into chemical precursors, polymers, materials, etc. shall foster an ecosystem-based bio-industry, innovative manufacturing processes in line with the circular economy approach. The pyrolysis waste-to-energy plant will also produce primary power and 2nd generation fuel. This fuel will be utilized to co-supply MAELSTROM raft energy demands for the removal of seabed/water column ML. The set of ML derived products will be thoroughly analysed for new market prospects within a new industrial life cycle.