With the Rethink Awards, the NRK and Plastics Europe give the stage every two years to entrepreneurs who contribute to sustainability and the circular economy with their products and initiatives. For the first time since the start of the election, the prizes will be awarded during the Kunststoffenbeurs 2023 in the Brabanthallen, 's-Hertogenbosch. This will take place during the Rethink networking drink on Wednesday 20 September at 4:30 pm on the central stock exchange square. Below you can read who the nominated companies for the prestigious awards are this year.
These are the nominees in the category 'Renewable raw materials'
Veolia Netherlands with PlastiLoop
PlastiLoop is the brand name of a wide variety of high-quality ready-to-use recycled plastics. These are made to customer specifications, have the same specs as virgin plastics and can be used on production lines in numerous sectors. PlastiLoop is a global initiative by Veolia that meets the demand for a reliable supply of circular plastics; a single point of contact according to a global standard.
Coolrec/Renewi with Wiltopia
With the new PLAYMOBIL series "Wiltopia", children can discover planet Earth, its special features and its inhabitants. The toys are made from an average of more than 80% recycled material (rPS and rABS) that Renewi - subsidiary Coolrec removes from discarded refrigerators. Using advanced mechanical recycling techniques, the flakes are converted into granulate, which can be used to make almost anything. Even toys that have to meet very strict Toy safety standards.
Carlisle Construction Materials with the circular EPDM roofing system
Large, clean EPDM membranes are mechanically attached to the substructure by means of an induction system, without perforating the material. With the same system, the roof covering can be detached again without damage. Carlisle offers its customers a take-back guarantee on the material, which can then be reused or devulcanized into new roofing compounds. The innovative system ensures that EPDM membranes used on roofs become a future source of raw materials.
These are the nominees in the category 'Chain cooperation'
SABIC Europe with the Stella McCartney Beauty cosmetics refill
Stella McCartney Beauty developed exclusive, super light refill packs for the Alter-Care Serum and Restore Cream. SABIC Europe has joined forces with Stella McCartney Beauty and three renowned French plastics processors (Texen, Leygatech and STTP Emballage) and is responsible for the bio-renewable polymers in this collaboration. The foil is made of bio-renewable PE, the resealable cap of bio-renewable PP and the pumps of PE. The sachet and cap can be recycled after use and the pump and glass container can be used indefinitely.
Circular Plastic Factory
Circular Plastics Factory helps companies and brand owners develop circular products. The factory has everything, literally under one roof, to connect the various parts in the chain. From physical recycling and granulation to a fully circular end product, by means of injection molding or other techniques in combination with product development, design for recycling and logistics. The company works with a concrete step-by-step plan to design the products and brings all parties to the table as much as possible: from brand owners, injection molders and designers to logistics.
Injection Point with the Ace & Tate glasses cases
Injection Point, together with the chain partners, has succeeded in finding a circular solution for the fitting lenses of the frames of eyewear brand Ace & Tate. These pass glasses are intended to protect the frames during transport. Opticians store the trial glasses and send them back with the delivery. The material is sorted and washed and processed by Reflow into granulate (recycled PMMA). Injection Point processes the raw material into spectacle cases for large and small spectacles, available from Ace & Tate.
VinylRecycling with the Bloody Serious project
A large part of the special hospital waste still ends up in incinerators. VinylRecycling wants to process the PVC-containing waste into raw materials for new products. In mid-2023, it will start collecting and processing through a newly installed recycling line. Together with the Flevoziekenhuis, an inventory has been made of the waste streams and what is released as infectious and non-infectious waste. It has also been investigated which streams are eligible for processing. The producers of medical articles are made aware of their responsibility to produce in a greener way.
These are the nominees in the category 'Circular design'
OPACK GROUP with Optilayer
Due to the use of mixed materials, packaging and laminates (PET/OPP or PVDC combined with PE) are often poorly recyclable. By using a seven-layer PE extrusion foil laminated against another PE, OPACKGROUP can produce a multi-layer monolaminate. The film can be used for food packaging. Although the material is made from virgin plastics with a view to food safety, the packaging is easily recyclable.
Faerch with Evolve
Evolve is a circular solution for undetectable carbon black ready meals. With a new recycling process for PET trays from the PMD, the food-safe granulate can be used for the production of new PET food packaging. Faerch has its own recycling company where 24,000 tons of PET trays are processed annually into raw material for new food-safe trays. The material is easy to sort and has been proven and tested for NIR detection. Once the trays have been collected and sorted, they can be recycled again and again into new food-safe trays.
Timmerije with the 'ReCycle' integrated chain guard/engine cover
Timmerije has developed a chain guard with integrated motor cover for the new Gazelle electric bicycle Avignon. Normally, plastic parts are optimized according to the type of raw material. This design uses a single recycled PCR (ABS) from which the entire assey is made. Snap connections increase convenience during production and repair. After the use phase, less energy is needed for the disassembly.
Audience Award
In addition to the three winners of the Rethink Award in the above categories, there is a fourth prize. The visitors to the Kunststoffenbeurs will determine who wins this prize. All nominated entries will be on display at the central fair square, right next to the Rethink Plastics Expo. During the day you can cast your vote for the entire first day of the fair by scanning the QR code of the entry with your mobile. During the award ceremony there is a last opportunity to cast your vote.
Professional jury
The nominees and winners per category are determined by a jury of experts. The jury members of this year's Rethink Awards are: Marjan Minnesma (Urgenda), Rik van der Ploeg (Nature & Environment). Marc Spekreijse (National Growth Fund Program Circular Plastics NL) and John Vernooij (Omrin).
Are you going to be there?
Your visit is free! You are very welcome to attend the presentation of the Rethink Awards 2023 on Wednesday September 20 at 4:30 PM. In addition, visit the Retink Plastics Expo, where many more circular and sustainable solutions with rubber and plastic can be seen. The exhibition is open to the public on both days (20 and 21 September) from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Do you want to know more about the Rethink program? Then take a look at this website.
Register your free visit via this link