The "Materials Forum of the Future" will be established in Schwerte. The aim is to strengthen the circular economy and make the value chains in the plastics sector sustainable and fit for the future. Above all, solutions are to be developed to replace plastics with more appropriate materials in many areas, to bring plastic products into the cycle more effectively and to increase recycling rates. The focus here is not on the packaging sector, but on the use of technical plastics in industrial cycles.
In particular, the Wuppertal Institute will analyse the ecological effects that can be achieved by using more sustainable raw materials, such as recycled plastics or bio-based plastics. In addition, plastic products on the market are to be classified in terms of their environmental performance. Among other things, a label is planned to provide consumers with guidance when purchasing products.