PATHWAYS TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY - Port of Rotterdam

Our model is based on growing the use of bio-basedfeedstocks in PET plastic packaging from 1 percent to 5percent within three to five years, and radically increasingthe high-grade recycling of plastic packaging (see Figure 7).The Rotterdam/Delta region is well placed to support thedevelopment of a circular economy model for plasticpackaging. It is home to significant fossil fuel and chemicalsindustries, and to a number of ethanol plants, which couldbe used as a building block for a bio-based substitute forPET, polyethylene furanoate or PEF. The ports are alsotransport hubs for bio-based commodities.The pathway to a circular economy in the chemicalssector model is at stage 3 in the evolutionary model: anincreasing percentage of plastic packaging is being recycledfor higher value applications, creating the basis for a circularmodel. At the same time, new chemical and/or thermaltreatment of plastics open up new markets and createsnew bio-based alternatives with higher values.The model is supported by some industry forecasts. Globalbio-based plastic production is expected to grow from700 thousand tonnes in 2010 to 1.7 million tonnes in 2015(European Bioplastics). This would account for almost5 percent of global production. Most of this growth is tocome from non-biodegradable bio-based plastics as thesecan be processed by existing packaging machinery. At thesame time, new recycling technologies that can separatespecific components of the material in profitable ways willincrease the overall amount of plastics recycled, and willdecrease the share of plastics recycled into lower-gradeapplications at the benefit of higher grade uses.The circular economy model for plastic packaging in thechemicals sector shows abundant opportunities for plasticbottles/packaging to be produced in line with the circulareconomy principles:• Minimise the use of inputs and eliminate wastesand pollution: Oil consumption is reduced by usingrenewable bio-based resources.The model also aims forhigher collection and recycling rates, therefore reducingincineration and landfilling as well as accumulation inthe environment.• Maximise the value created at each stage: This will belargely achieved by breaking down recycled plastics intomore valuable components and resources.50/73PORT OF ROTTERDAM / RABOBANKPATHWAYS TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY