In the circular economy, production, innovation and recycling are key issues. Products and substances are reused as far as possible. The Rotterdam port area, with its many circular companies and projects, is an attractive region for the circular economy. Extensive connections with the hinterland offer a strong starting position for the reuse of waste streams. Green hydrogen will be used on a large scale as energy for industry and raw material for the chemical industry. The port will also be an important import port for secondary raw materials (waste, plastic) and sustainable biomass. In addition to hydrogen, carbon is also needed to manufacture products. This requires the cooperation of parties throughout the production chain: obtaining raw materials, product design, production process, repair, reuse and recycling.
Together with others, the Port Authority is exploring how to handle raw materials. We are investing in, facilitating and advising potential coalition partners. We aim to support existing industry in the transition from fossil fuels to bio-based and circular, while also attracting new industry.
Video:
Port of Rotterdam: Circular Hotspot
CO₂ as a building block
Recycling and biomass
Mechanical recycling is the most environmentally and cost efficient way of converting plastics so they can be properly recycled. The growing demand for high-quality raw materials for new plastics has resulted in a need for further expansion, scale-up and professionalisation of recycling capacity in Europe. The presence of primary plastics manufacturers and the large supply of waste and sorted flows make the Rotterdam region an interesting location for high-quality mechanical recycling.
In addition to mechanical recycling, chemical recycling technologies offer the opportunity to convert non-recyclable plastic waste into products such as polymers, fuels, waxes, aromatics or synthetic gases.
Position paper circular economy
Webinar recording: Opportunities for renewable chemicals & fuels in the Port of Rotterdam
Watch the video and subscribe to our circular economy email list.