Syschemiq: Collaborating on a systemic approach to sustainable plastics

Transforming plastic waste into a valuable resource

The Syschemiq project aims to create breakthroughs in plastic recycling of mixed plastics into usable new and raw materials. Besides this, the project will focus on the involvement of brand owners, scientists, designers, citizens, local and regional governments.

We encourage industry leaders to invest in larger-scale recycling. We do this by working on technologies for better plastic sorting, recycling and reuse. All necessary to achieve the EU plastic recycling growth on packaging and packaging waste, which specifies from 42% to 50% for plastic packaging by 2025 and 55% by 2030.

First results: Towards high-quality recycling of household and packaging plastics

As part of the SYSCHEMIQ programme, TNO is exploring how to improve the quality and usability of recycled plastics - both from household waste and post-consumer packaging - through smart design, targeted processing, and system-level innovation.

Key interventions for recycling plastic packaging

The Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets ambitious targets for recycled content in packaging by 2030, but achieving these goals hinges on the availability of high-quality recyclates. We explored key interventions for polypropylene (PP) packaging, such as hot washing, de-inking, antioxidant re-additivation, and smart packaging design choices, to improve recyclate quality and enable safe reuse. Our AI-driven RQ-mech model links these steps to measurable outcomes in the quality of final recyclates and helps identify relevant markets for them.

Deepening our understanding of household plastic waste recycling

TNO demonstrates that consistent, high-quality recyclates from household waste are achievable through smart sorting and targeted reprocessing. By reducing variability and enhancing material performance, using additives and process innovations, recycled polypropylene (rPP) can be reused in demanding applications like thin-walled packaging and consumer goods. These insights pave the way for food-grade recycling and support systemic change through better product design and smarter waste separation.

More can be read in the interview: Upgrading recyclates for seamless plastic manufacturing integration.

Tri-lateral collaboration paves the way for a circular plastic economy

In this project the Tri-lateral Rhine-Meuse Euregion (NL, BEL, GER) demonstrates how to align stakeholders on a regional level. In a systemic approach we demonstrate how to align plastics value chain stakeholders. And we will overcome the main technical and non-technical barriers to close the feedstock resources loop.

A joint circular model to support the governance of the regional circular plastics economy will be developed during the project. Strategies and scenarios for replication will stimulate implementation of the circular urban-industrial district concept, like Chemelot a chemical innovation community in other EU-regions.

How TNO’s innovations contribute to speeding up circular plastics

As part of the Syschemiq project, TNO scientists located in Delft, Eindhoven, Geleen, Petten, and Utrecht conduct lab and pilot plant research. They develop simulation models, provide data and core expertise on circular plastics.

Our project scope ranges from future development scenarios for the circular plastics value chain. And design implications of making plastic packaging circular. To, improving plastics pre-treatment and plastic recycling technologies. In this project we work closely together with value chain stakeholders from industry, academia, government and society.

Why working on circular plastics is so important:

Listen to the stories of:

• TNO scientist Nithya Subramanian, leading the “Design for recycling ” work package for Syschemiq. In an interview, she explains what she thinks is special about the Syschemiq project.
• TNO scientist Toon van Harmelen, leading the "Society and Business Impact" work package within the Syschemiq project. In an interview, he reflects on his motivation for the Syschemiq project.

Would you like to know more about Syschemiq and its specific objectives?