EcoPaperLoop Project Partners

• Innovhub-Stazioni Sperimentali per l’industria, Paper Research Division, Italy (Lead Partner)
• Paper Technology Consulting GmbH, Germany
• Technical University of Darmstadt – Chair of Paper Technology, Germany
• Technical University of Dresden, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Wood and Paper Technologies, Chair of Paper Technology, Germany
• University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
• University of West Hungary (Faculty of Wood Sciences) Paper Research Institute, Hungary
• Polish Packaging Research and Development Centre, Poland
• Pulp and Paper Institute Ljubljana, Slovenia
• COMIECO, National Consortium for the Recovery and Recycling of Cellulosebased Packaging, Italy
• Lombardy Region, Italy

Supporting Organisations

• Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Slovenia
• Municipality of Dunaújváros, Hungary
• Milano Chamber of Commerce, Italy
• Assocarta, Italy
• Università di Milano Bicocca, Italy
• VDP, Germany
• Austria Papier Recycling, Austria
• INGEDE International Association of the Deinking Industry

Context and Objectives

The collected paper for recycling in Central Europe (CE) accounts for approximately 16 million tonnes, representing about one third of the amount used by the European paper industry.
Currently, the statistics show that at European level 71,7% of this material goes back into new paper products.
However, the recycling rates are quite different among the CE countries. Some of them are approaching the theoretical limit in collection whereas others still show a significant potential that must be exploited.
Some essential features such as ecodesign and eco-collection concepts must be developed at transnational level to increase the sustainability of the paper loop in the Central Europe region.
Nonetheless, in this context, recovered paper quality is THE key element: On one side preventing constrains during paper recycling operations and securing good quality raw material for the paper industry, and on the other side reducing the environmental impact (e.g. the better is the secondary raw material the lower is the environmental impact of its treatment) of the regions thus obtaining social benefits.

Main Results

• Publication of a laboratory method to assess the recyclability of paper based packaging. EcoPaperLoop Method 1 – 2014
• Proposal of a scorecard with relevant parameters to evaluate the recyclability after the assessment
• Web based tool for decision finding on paper collection strategies
• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of selected graphic and packaging products
• Survey regional and local regulations and policies
• Development of a roadmap to implement the project results into regulations and policies
• Publication of four Guidelines about the most relevant topics of the project

EcoPaperLoop website