Sustainable plastics

To mitigate climate change, the chemical industry considers large investments in bio-based plastics and plastics recycling via gasification and pyrolysis. However, more knowledge is required about the relative potential of these two deep emission
reduction options. So far, studies mainly looked at their technological potential, but did not sufficiently address social aspects, while the behaviour of stakeholders across value chains is crucial. In this project, we directly collaborate with Chemelot, an industrial cluster in Limburg and co-funder of the proposal, to fill this research gap. We combine environmental life cycle assessment, participative system dynamics modelling, and ex-ante policy evaluation to assess the relevant sociotechnical systems around circular plastics and bioplastics.