The PRISM model

Thema:
Circular modelling

The Netherlands, like Europe, aims to have a 100% circular economy by 2050. This is a difficult task as the entire system needs to be adapted. This transition goes hand in hand with – and at the same time reinforces – the energy transition that must drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In order to investigate the opportunities for circular plastics and low-CO2 plastics, TNO is working on its own Plastic Recycling Impact Scenario Model: PRISM.

This model makes it possible to create future scenarios concerning the circularity of plastics. Using this model, TNO has carried out an initial study into the maximum circular plastic system of 2050.

The foundation for this scenario is our forecast of the future composition of plastic waste, which is based on the market growth in the various relevant sectors (packaging, construction, mobility, electronics, etc.), the trends related to plastic application in these sectors and the recyclability of the applied plastics.

The PRISM model then selects the desired recycling technologies for the different (mixtures of) polymers in order to achieve the desired goals in terms of (lifecycle) CO2 emissions and material production (quantity and quality).

Circular plastic scenario

Our methodology differs from most other models because we assume that the collection and sorting of the plastic will be adapted accordingly. The maximum circular plastic scenario is exploratory rather than predictive and is shown in the box (together with the most important assumptions). Work is currently underway to extend the model to include costs so that economic factors can also be included in the scenarios.

Future circular economy scenario for 2050

The maximum circular plastic scenario 2050 is illustrated by the Sankey diagram.

The first column (left) indicates the various raw materials used by the chemical industry for the production of different polymers (second column). The third column contains the market segments of these polymers and the fourth and fifth columns indicate the methodology used to collect and sort these plastic products and to process them (recycled, reconditioned or incinerated).

The last column (on the far right) shows the circularity of the system: a total of 87% of plastic waste can be processed into new products (as input on the left); from the remaining 12%, the energy is recovered. This is dependent on the efficient adaptation of the collection and sorting system to the conditions of the recycling technologies used. 1% leaves the system as litter, including microplastics.

Sankey diagram

The figure shows a flow chart (a Sankey diagram) that represents how plastics can "flow" through our society in a circular economy in 2050, from raw material to end of life. Each color of the flow reflects a different process, and the thickness of the flow equals the size of the stream. The flow chart starts with raw material, which is either fossil (such as oil), recyclate (already recycled plastic) or bio-based (from agricultural products). The next column presents the type of polymers made from this. The third column shows the different product groups made from these polymers, such as packaging or electronics. Column four shows the flow of different methods of plastic waste collection and what the optimal recycling option is in 2050. Column five then shows how much new raw material we can produce from plastics by applying recycling.

The most important assumptions, as input for the PRISM model, are:

  • Plastic waste in the Netherlands will increase by 50% by 2050.
  • Plastics in different sectors have different lifespans, resulting in plastic waste in differing quantities.
  • Plastic products are reused or reconditioned as much as possible.
  • Sorting is optimal for all recycling techniques
  • As a result of this, 50% less material will be lost during recycling.
  • Litter will be reduced to 50% of the current share or recovered efficiently.
  • Fossil raw materials will have been partially replaced by bio-based raw materials.
  • Nothing is being dumped anymore.

Transition to a circular plastics economy

Our PRISM analysis of the plastics ecosystem shows that an accelerated transition from a linear to a circular plastics economy is technologically feasible up to about 87%. In addition to the obvious focus on technological developments in the field of sorting and recycling, requirements must also be met in order to complete this enormous task: firm policy, consumer acceptance and a sense of responsibility amongst producers and the entire value chain. These have not been included in the analysis.

Download the whitepaper 'Don't waste it!'

Don't waste it! Solving the dark side of today's plastics.

Get inspired

23 resultaten, getoond 1 t/m 5

Time setters: Safely recycling dirty food packaging

Informatietype:
Insight
11 January 2024
Plastic buckets, used for frying oil and mayonnaise, have little recycling value. Discover how we work towards making these plastics more circular.

New facility to develop circular plastics on an industrial scale

Informatietype:
News
28 November 2023

Microplastics and packaging: reduction is achievable

Informatietype:
Insight
31 August 2023

Upwash technology: Improve quality of plastic waste

Informatietype:
Article

From #plasticfree to future-proof plastics

Informatietype:
Webinar
15 June 2023
1 aflevering