Article from the third Consortium meeting in Athens

1. July 5, 2023
Highlights from the third RECREATE Consortium
MeetinginAthens
The RECREATE consortium successfully concluded a two-day consortium meeting in Athens held
on 27th and 28th June 2023. One year into the project implementation the meeting hosted by
University of Patras welcomed more than 25 participants representing almost all of the 21
partners of the project and created a fruitful space for discussions and workshops, aimed at
advancing re-use, remanufacturing, recycling, and circularity solutions for end-of-life (EoL)
composites.
The Consortium meeting revolved around reflecting on the milestones achieved as well as on
challenges after the project’s first year, while outlining the forthcoming activities. This time the
meeting agenda made a significant emphasis on promoting collaboration among

2. participants, therefore enough time was available for open discussions, facilitated through
several workshops organised on both conference days.
On the first day, participants reviewed the progress of each work package, with a particular
focus given to the showcase and demo case development led by EDAG, GEVEN, and RES-T.
The initiation of the Work Package 6 (WP6) was introduced by the University of Partas (UPAT)
and META Circularity (G_MEDIA), including the steps to implementation of an innovation
programme and the initiation of data collection for circularity and sustainability assessments of
the technologies expected to emerge from the work packages 2, 3 and 4.
On the first day, the Consortium dedicated time to assess dissemination efforts and milestones
achieved so far, to set the ground to the advanced phases of the implementation of the
Dissemination Action Plan, when mobilising potential exploitation partners, particularly through
industry inquiries and engagements come into focus in preparation for future exploitation of the
project’s results. It is, therefore, essential to continue with a proactive approach which started
very early in the project’s time frame aiming to achieve meaningful impact still while the project
is active.
The consortium expressed gratitude to UPAT for their exceptional organisation of the meeting,
as well as their arrangement of a memorable visit to the extraordinary Acropolis Museum and
an enjoyable dinner. Looking ahead, the project’s coordinator Gianmarco Enrico Griffni from
Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) anticipated that the next two meetings would take place in
Germany in autumn 2023 and in Finland in spring 2024, possibly rejoining in Paris in the second
half of that year, to be hosted, respectively, by EDAG, Tampere University and CNRS.
Photo gallery and the full report from the meeting is available below.
Photo Gallery

7. Full report from the Consortium Meeting
Falco Lehman from Fraunhofer presented an overview of WP2, which focuses on the re-use and
remanufacturing of End-of-Life composite structures. Alexandra Poch from IRIS presented the
developments of Task 2.1 on smart recognition and monitoring techniques for sorting of
materials. Falco Lehman from Fraunhofer also discussed Task 2.2, which deals with non-
destructive inspection, defect characterisation, and repair. Sharavan Torvi, POLIMI shared
insights into Task 2.3, highlighting their Decision Support System (DSS) for part re-use. As a part
of Task 2.4 Ines Sma (CNRS) presented their key findings and challenges of active dismantling of
complex and multilayer structures and brough some samples for project partners to inspect.
Mohammad Jawad Berro from ICAM continued by presenting initial results of Task 2.5 on
temperature-assisted reshaping techniques, presenting results and conclusion from several
tests such as hydrolysis, friction, tensile, relaxation and bending testing experiments.

8. Ines Sma, CNRS, presenting delamination results

9. Mohammad Jawad Berro, ICAM, presenting testing conclusions
The objectives of WP3 focus on recycling and reprocessing of materials from non-reusable parts,
which were introduced and outlined by Stefano Turri from Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI).
Sharavan Torvi, POLIMI, continued by presenting the results of electrofragmentation (Task 3.1),
while Task 3.2 explored catalyst-assisted low-temperature green solvolysis. Essi Sarlin from
Tampere University (TAU) carried on and discussed Task 3.3, which focuses on materials
characterisation, preparation, and reprocessing.

10. Essi Sarlin, Tampere University (TAU)

11. Stefano Turri, POLIMI, Introducing WP3

12. Sharavan Torvi, POLIMI
The first workshop session was carried out and facilitated by Christopher Platzer and Mark Opitz
from INVENT, leaders of WP4, which focuses on next-generation recyclable-by-design
composites. Christopher first introduced Task 4.1, discussing the modular design of next-
generation composite structures. The workshop aimed to foster collaboration and data capture
for the three demo cases of EDAG, GEVEN, and RES-T, with the goal of enabling beneficial
disassembly and facilitating reuse. Demo cases were presented by Stefan Caba and Alexander
Erler from EDAG, Bonaventura Vitolo and Daniele Di Maio from GEVEN and Frank Richert from
RES-T. To read more about demo-cases visit: https://www.recreatecomposites.eu/demo-cases/

13. Frank Richert, RES-T, presenting their demo-case related to rotor blades for electric
wind turbines

14. Stefan Caba and partners discussing EDAG’s demo-case
The launch and preliminary activities of work-package 6 (WP6) on the topic of circular economy
and sustainability assessment started was introduced by Christina Vogianzi from UPAT. Jurij
Giacomelli from G_MEDIA highlighted Task 6.1 and presented the design of innovation
management programme that will focus on supporting the development of technologies during
their maturation of Technology readiness level (TRL). Jurij also outlined the approach to
integration of the innovation programme with the exploitation of project results and circular
business plan development. UPAT presented Task 6.2 and 6.3, emphasising the data gathering
process which will enable them to develop digital tools for circularity demonstration and
acceleration and integrated environmental and socio-economic sustainability assessment.
During the workshop session for WP7, led by Domenico Rotondi and Pietro Pigliaru from Grifo
Multimedia (GRIFO), discussions revolved around gamification, setting objectives, and defining
potential target scenarios for co-design and validation of learning resources.

15. Domenico Rotondi presenting GRIFO’s exploitation intentions
Luca Gentilini from COBAT COMPOSITI led the workshop session for WP1, which concentrated
on input EoL streams and output requirements. The discussions focused on the selection and
supply of EoL parts in relation to recycling and reprocessing technologies and demonstrators.
Workpackage and demo-case leaders were asked to determine where they fit in the
input/output process of the RECREATE process-chain. This will enable COBAT to more accurately
describe the EoL waste streams and technology requirements.

16. Luca Gentilini, COBAT, facilitating WP1 workshop
On the second day of the consortium meeting, attention shifted to WP8, which focuses on
communication, dissemination, and exploitation. Sebastian Žužek from META Circularity
presented the initiatives undertaken so far on public awareness, community engagement,
dissemination, and communication activities, emphasising the importance of active participation
of all partners in order to lay the ground for successfully exploitation of project results at the
end of the project. Action planning for the next six months was also discussed. Marco Diani from
POLIMI provided insights into Task 8.4 which focuses on knowledge management and
intellectual property rights (IPR) protection. He presented different forms and types of
collaboration and cooperation agreements.

17. Marco Diani, POLIMI, presenting approach to IPR management
Jurij Giacommeli from META Circularity introduced the exploitation approach and ongoing
activities for preparation of the deliverable Exploitation Plan and Results that is due by M18.
Following the presentation, the first exploitation workshop was introduced and led by META
Circularity, focused on the identification of expected Key Exploitable Results (KERs). Participants
jointly reviewed potential Key Exploitable Results (KERs) and prioritised them. Groups also
discussed appropriate exploitation methods to design customised exploitation pathways for
each intention. The outcomes of the workshop will be used in the next steps of Horizon Results
Booster programme and in the designing of exploitation strategy.
Gianmarco Griffni, the project coordinator, provided updates on current administrative topics,
upcoming deliverables, and project developments during the WP9 project management session.

18. Jurij Giacomelli, META Circularity, introducing the Exploitation workshop

19. Gianmarco Griffni, POLIMI & RECREATE project coordinator, presenting project’s
developments and schedule
The two-day consortium meeting in Athens proved to be a valuable platform for the RECREATE
consortium, allowing for fruitful discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaborative planning to
further the development of technical and circular solutions for composite structures. The
consortium remains committed to advancing sustainable practices and fostering innovation in
the field.
This project has received funding from the European
Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation
programme under Grant Agreement No. 101058756.