Although the headlines of late have mostly focussed on the woes of the plastics recycling industry - the lack of clarity and regulation, low demand, low recycled polymer prices, high energy prices, the overabundant supply of cheap virgin materials in the market – PRS Europe, arguably the most important plastics recycling show in Europe and beyond, continues to evolve and grow.
Taking place at the RAI in Amsterdam 1-2 April, illustrates the show is once again bigger than ever before with a range of exhibitors from the entire value chain, bringing with them the latest and most sophisticated advancements developed over the past year in the plastics recycling space. Visitor numbers, too, are expected to exceed PRS Europe 2024’s record attendance of over 11,000 from more than 80 different countries.
AI Innovation Hub
One highlight at PRS Europe 2025 will be the new AI Innovation Hub, where visitors can discover all the latest uses of AI in plastics recycling through information boards and video displays.
Various exhibiting companies, including Greyparrot, Tomra, Pellenc ST, WeSort.AI, Sesotec and Circular.co., have contributed to the Hub to demonstrate the way AI streamlines and enhances material selection and product design. Many other of the show’s 500 exhibitors will also be showcasing AI-powered innovations. By integrating AI into recycling sorting systems, the need for manual labour is significantly reduced, and the sorting process becomes more precise. AI algorithms excel at accurately and efficiently identifying and sorting various types of recyclables. By analysing data on recycling facility capacities, AI can optimise the entire recycling system, reducing costs and minimising environmental impact. Additionally, AI can oversee the energy usage of recycling plants, assess recyclate quality, and improve plant efficiency.
Online platforms powered by AI act as marketplaces that connect recyclers and processors through AI algorithms. These platforms optimise computing and database resources, allowing for dynamic pricing based on recyclate demand and supply. AI also enhances data-driven decision-making, with blockchain technology ensuring provenance traceability and transparency.
The Hub also features a robot Swarm Sorting Demonstration, a collaboration between TU Eindhoven, National Test Centre Circular Plastics (Netherlands) and Antfarm, consisting of a 5x5 metre area of with coloured plastic recycling targets using four autonomous sorting robots. An accompanying video display explains how swarm sorting will evolve in context of the Mechanical Recovering Facility (MRF).
Another exhibit is the recycling data-game (RDG) being launched at the show, which aims to supplement and support the training and optimisation of AI algorithms for the material identification, segmentation, and categorisation module of the Portable, Robotic Material Recovery Facility (prMRF) being developed by the Reclaim project for deployment in remote areas like European islands. Visitors can use tablets to play the game, which simulates the plastics sorting process, engage in tasks such as “Locate the correct items”, “Paint over the correct items”, or “Count how many items of this material you can spot in this picture”.
Other highlights
One exhibitor, RIGK, its subsidiaries plastship GmbH, Hannawald Plastik GmbH, and its certification division PlastCert is focussing on comprehensive solutions for the circular economy. Under the motto "Let’s navigate our way towards a circular economy together", the group will showcase a broad range of services, covering everything from design for recycling and the collection and licencing of packaging to the development and operation of reuse systems, the certification of plastics, and the distribution of recyclates. The spotlight will be on innovative, practical strategies for promoting closed material loops.
Another company, France-based Benvic, is highlighting its recycling and compounding activities in Amsterdam. As well, the company has established in-house life cycle analysis (LCA) capabilities to provide customers with comprehensive environmental data, said Eric Grange. Many big companies have committed to becoming carbon neutral by a particular year, he added. “They have specific policies to promote recycling content based on full life cycle analysis.”
He noted that Benvic are also exploring new applications in the construction and automotive sectors. “Automotive is a pretty new space for Benvic to be, but this is something that we are progressing on.”
Despite challenges in the recycling market, Benvic is diversifying into polypropylene and other thermoplastics, leveraging previous acquisitions and market demand for recycled content, he said. “Benvic is developing new solutions to replace ABS, LDPE, PC, and other thermoplastics, focusing on integrating recycling content into compounds to meet regulatory requirements and customer demands.”
He is confident that regulations like the Ecodesign Directive and the End-of-life vehicles Regulation will drive demand for recycled content.
“What we see is that the paradigm is changing, in an interesting way. Before, customers could say “I have a material spec, and with that spec, I can make the part”. Now they say, “Okay, I have to think about what I need to optimize in my LCA. You are the compounder, give me a solution to optimize my LCA, and after that I will be able to determine which part I can produce with it. So the engineering paradigm is changing. Using recycled materials is not just about substitution or decreasing the CO2 emissions by an x amount, and done. The way parts are being designed has become totally different. As a result, we are able to provide more added value in the supply chain.
According to Grange, it’s a development that is creating opportunities for new business in segments that Benvic had hitherto not yet been active in.
“It is why focusing on recycling, even as a recycler, but much more so as a compounder, for us is a great opportunity.”
A focus on automotive
This year, recycling centre MyReplast Industries, based in Italy (Bedizzole) near Lake Garda, will be participating in PRSEurope for the third consecutive year.
“Our participation is an opportunity to discuss with key players in the industry,” said Marco Rizzo, CEO of MyReplast Industries. "It is through events like this that we can forge new partnerships and strengthen our leadership in a rapidly changing market. We want to show that recycling is not just a viable solution, but a winning strategy for a more sustainable future," Rizzo added.
As part of the Maire Group, the company has achieved a level of technology and know-how that guarantees that all products are RecyClass and Plastic Second Life certified – certifications testifying to MyReplast Industries commitment to a more sustainable production.
Using Nextchem's NX Replast technology, the company can transform plastic waste into high-quality recycled compounds. This process, which integrates mechanical recycling and advanced chemical treatments, makes it possible to produce materials of high purity and great functionality, opening up new application opportunities. NX Replast technology takes the concept of recycling to a higher level: upcycling, a new approach that not only enhances the value of discarded plastic but also ensures that it is reintroduced into production cycles with superior quality standards.
In recent years, the company has expanded its reach by collaborating with major automobile manufacturers. These collaborations enable the company to develop customised recycled materials, meeting the technical and quality requirements of this sector and consolidating the company’s reference role.
“We aim to make recycling a strategic resource for the automotive industry, offering materials that guarantee high performance and help reduce environmental impact,” Marco Rizzo explains. This commitment translates into a range of high-performance products designed to meet the rigorous technical specifications required by the automotive industry.
The company also benefits from its Compounding B2B - an advanced process of developing customised compounds – capabilities, which allow it to work closely with customers, suggesting specific formulations that meet their technical, environmental, and market needs. A preliminary technical study is followed by a proposal for the most appropriate formulation for the production needs: from component formulation to the analysis of physicochemical, mechanical, and colour properties. This approach translates into a tangible competitive advantage, especially for automotive manufacturers, who need reliable, high-performance materials that meet the industry's rigorous specifications.
However, this is only possible because of the availability of the Research & Development laboratory: the beating heart of MyReplast Industries. Here, a highly specialised team works to optimise processes and formulations, ensuring meticulous quality control. The company maintains control at every stage of the production process and performs extensive testing to ensure that each compound meets the highest technical and performance standards. Through certified methodologies, the lab precisely analyses every critical parameter, ensuring reliable, high-performing materials that meet the customer’s specifications. The commitment to research is not limited to automotive but explores new applications for recycled plastics in diverse sectors.
MyReplast Industries compounds find application in multiple industries: general and logistics packaging; building components; home and garden items; agricultural components; blow moulding and extrusion.
By participating in PRS Europe in Amsterdam, MyReplast Industries reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable future, with a focus on technological innovation and collaboration with key industry players. A concrete example of how recycling can become a strategic lever to address global challenges, offering high-performance solutions with a positive impact on the environment.