A research project funded by Innosuisse at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is investigating the conditions under which workwear can nevertheless be integrated into textile cycles and where existing limits lie.
The regulation introduces new operational requirements, including mandatory electronic submission and exchange of information, as well as stricter rules for completing Annex VII documentation prior to shipment.
The opening ceremony, scheduled for Monday, May 4, at 10 a.m. on the Blue Stage at the Munich exhibition center, will be conducted jointly with the Management Board of Messe München. Confirmed participants include Germany's Federal Minister for the Environment Carsten Schneider, EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Bavaria's State Minister for the Environment Thorsten Glauber.
The report was commissioned by the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) and carried out with operational support from members of the European Federation of Glass Recycling Companies (FERVER).
The material was produced at Cylib's pilot facility in Aachen using the company's water-based OLiC (Optimised Lithium and Graphite Recovery) process. According to the company, the recycling process enables the recovery of lithium in a quality that meets industrial specifications for battery production. The successful qualification confirms that recycled lithium carbonate from end-of-life batteries can be reintegrated into established battery manufacturing processes.
The location is operated on a carbon-neutral basis and is regarded as the first carbon-neutral scrap yard in Germany. An important component of this approach is the electrically powered Sennebogen EQ-Balancer, which has been in operation since May 2023.
Stadler has carried out the comprehensive upgrade of the Bizkaiko Zabor Berziklategia facility. The modernized plant was inaugurated on 27 January 2026 in the presence of representatives from BZB, Ecoembes and regional institutions. The upgrade focuses on increased capacity, a higher degree of automation and enhanced digital process control, enabling more efficient sorting and improved material quality.
Excavator operator Vítězslav Weis has been employed at Kovosrot Group. for more than 15 years. His responsibilities include sorting and loading scrap, feeding scrap shears and carrying out basic maintenance work. In daily operation, the Sennebogen 830 G is used for truck and rail wagon loading, handling different metal fractions and supplying material to the shear. The machine is operated in extended shifts and is designed for continuous use in demanding yard conditions, where fast response times and precise control are essential for efficient workflows.
The newly selected participants include local and regional authorities from Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Europe. Five of the selected authorities are members of ICLEI Europe, among them the municipalities of Aalborg in Denmark, Belfast in the United Kingdom, Braga in Portugal, Pescara in Italy and Tirana in Albania.
A study conducted by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, TERRA and Swedish Plastic Recycling has been published in The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment and analyses the climate impact of different plastic packaging waste treatment methods in a Swedish context. The findings highlight significant differences between recycling approaches currently applied in Europe and point to potential implications for EU climate and circular economy legislation.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is one of the fastest-growing waste recycling streams. It covers anything with a plug, power cord or battery that has been disposed of.
The contamination of surface waters, groundwater and wastewater with microplastics, micropollutantsand other organic trace substances is one of the greatest challenges currently facing water andenvironmental protection. These substances occur predominantly in very low concentrations below 1μg/L, but are often characterised by high persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicological relevance.
The project focuses on producing recycled nylon and further material streams that can be used for packaging and agricultural films, automotive components, and large-format parts manufactured via additive manufacturing.
Within the study, CETMA (Italy) and Gjenkraft AS (Norway) collaborated with Cormatex (Italy) and ÉireComposites (Ireland). Glass fibres recovered using Gjenkraft's thermal recycling process were converted into a nonwoven mat by Cormatex and then evaluated for use in composite manufacturing.
The project also reflects forthcoming regulatory requirements in the European Union. Under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), minimum recycled content targets are expected to apply to certain packaging types, including contact-sensitive applications. Against this background, the partners examined how PCR high-density polyethylene (PCR HDPE) performs under conditions relevant to cosmetic and personal care use.
This initiative, developed since 2024, serves as a technical resource to complement the organization's existing advocacy and business development functions within the global recycling sector.
The Future is Neutral and Pollini Group plan to develop a national network in Italy in cooperation with dismantling centres. The network is intended to serve automotive manufacturers operating in Italy and support the further industrialisation of ELV processing. The partners aim to strengthen the sector's preparedness for upcoming European requirements related to end-of-life vehicles.
The authors place their proposals in the context of geopolitical tensions and ongoing supply risks for fossil resources. At the same time, they describe the current economic crisis in the European chemical industry as a structural challenge linked to the fossil-based business model. In their view, lower electricity prices may support competitiveness, but they do not address the fundamental issue of long-term feedstock security.
Dust and carryback from belt conveyor discharge points are an ongoing problem for bulk handling operations. Efficient discharge at a transfer point requires a holistic approach with several components working in tandem. This approach aims to extend equipment life, improve safety, and address the root causes of inefficiency and downtime that reduce production and raise the cost of operation.
Building C is the final phase of the new main hospital building under the OYS2030 development programme. The project aims to consolidate outpatient specialist care and teaching functions within one facility and is planned to support shared use of space and efficient logistics. The building will include specialist outpatient clinics and day hospital activities, pathology laboratories, teaching and training facilities, and a teaching-focused social and health centre.
