Digital trading platform drives big push in plastics recycling

With their recycling platforms, igus and cirplus want jointly to promote the regenerative plastics industry in the future. Cirplus is also launching the first global standard for high-quality plastics recycling.

igus is pursuing this goal with its “chainge" recycling platform, which recycles used energy
chains. Now, igus has invested in the start-up company cirplus to pursue the common vision of closing the plastics loop and initiating a revolution in the trade of technical and standard thermoplastic recyclate, or recycled plastic stock.

With its "chainge" programme, igus has proven that
the circular economy can be easy. The potential of new material flows for recyclates just needs to be explored. igus recognised this potential at an early stage, and has helped customers to recycle their used energy chains, regardless of the manufacturer, since 2019. 

In October
2022, the "chainge" online platform was launched to provide easy digital access to recycling. The marketplace can now also be used quickly and easily to transfer previously non-qualifying engineering plastics, or ones that appeared difficult to recycle, into the circular economy. Processing companies could also
purchase recycled plastics with guaranteed quality standards. 

This new online market also helps companies to reach recyclate plastic targets, which is incentivised in the UK by the Plastic Packaging Tax. igus has now invested in the circular start-up cirplus to progress this further.

Read the full article in DPA's September issue