This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101181056
Partners
AIMPLAS: Asociación de investigación de Materiales Plasticos y Conexas.
AIMPLAS: Role and Involvement in the Project
AIMPLAS, Technological Institute of Plastics located in Valencia, is a research organisation with 34 years of experience, with a team of more than 250 highly qualified professionals. AIMPLAS is focused on helping companies in the plastic sector to develop new products and increase their competitiveness through innovation, has more than 12.000 m2 in pilot plants, representing the most relevant polymer/plastics/composites production technologies present in the industry, and has state-of-the art test facilities for chemical, optical, morphological, mechanical and physical characterisation.
AIMPLAS main activity will be the recovery and recycling PVC additives from the tarps, corresponding to one of the activities in WP3. In this task, several extraction technologies will be implemented at pilot scale to extract the plasticizer, flame retardants and other additives, to re-use them in new products. These additives will be purified and tested in new plastisols at pilot scale to verify their recyclability, and separately, the PVC recovered from the process will be devolatilized to be also recycled. In addition, AIMPLAS will participate in WP1, helping in the development of the logistics strategies, WP5 demonstrating the circularity of the PVC and WP6, supporting the sustainability assessment.
Beaulieu International Group
As a global family business, we develop and co-create flooring and material solutions to enhance the quality of living and working for every generation. Headquartered in Belgium, B.I.G. employs over 4.500 people worldwide in 19 countries and reported sales of €2 billion in 2024. At B.I.G., we work purposefully to build a sustainable future.
Beaulieu International Group : Role and Involvement in the Project
Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) produces cushion vinyl, being soft PVC-based flooring. Therefore, we are cooperating with the Retain project and tarpaulin producers for the reuse of PVC recyclate. Our activities are mainly focused in WP4; Ecodesign using recycled and biobased materials, targeting the use of recycled PVC waste stemming from tarpaulin recycling to be used in B.I.G’s PVC flooring industry.
Centexbel
Centexbel: Role and Involvement in the Project
Centexbel is the Belgian scientific and technical center for the textileand plastic processing industry. It focuses on research and development, testing, productcertification, and knowledge transfer to support the textile and plastics industries.
Your role and involvement in the project, including the work packages you will be contributing to (max120 words): Within RETAIN, CTB will lead WP3 on recycling technologies for EOL tarps. The recyclingtechnology that Centexbel is focusing on in particularly is based on a soak and separate process inorder to obtain a fibre and PVC fraction. Furthermore, CTB will also lead the standardization activitiesand will reprocess the recovered PET fibres into HT rPET yarns (WP4). Finally Centexbel will contributeto the communication and dissemination activities as wells as to the overall coordination of theproject.
Within RETAIN, CTB will lead WP3 on recycling technologies for EOL tarps. The recyclingtechnology that Centexbel is focusing on in particularly is based on a soak and separate process inorder to obtain a fibre and PVC fraction. Furthermore, CTB will also lead the standardization activitiesand will reprocess the recovered PET fibres into HT rPET yarns (WP4). Finally Centexbel will contributeto the communication and dissemination activities as wells as to the overall coordination of theproject.
EKOTREND Ludky s.r.o.
EKOTREND Ludky s.r.o.: Role and Involvement in the Project
EKOTREND Ludky s.r.o. is a manufacturing company based in the Czech Republic with over 30 years of experience in the industry, producing high-quality PVC granulates. Our products are distributed across the entire world.
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The Company offers PVC granulates in three variants:
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Recycled PVC with a focus on sustainability and the protection of natural resources
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PVC from primary materials
Hybrid PVC – a blend of recycled and primary PVC materials, combining the benefits of both.
​EKOTREND will:
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help with developing and implementing a strict gate control procedure that distinguishes between various tarp qualities.
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help with developing a (semi)automized deconfectioning system to remove eyelets, buckets, zippers and other functionalities from EOL tarps.
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mechanical recycling of PVC tarps
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WP1, WP2, WP3, WP5.
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European Plastics Converters
EuPC: Role and Involvement in the Project
European Plastics Converters (EuPC) is the EU-level trade association representing plastics converting industries. It brings together national and sectoral associations, SMEs and leading industries in the sector. EuPC promotes and defends the sector’s interests by engaging with EU and global institutions, conducting research, and supporting innovation, sustainability, and circularity in the plastics converting industry.
EuPC (WP 7) plays a key role in the project by leading dissemination, exploitation, and communication activities. It is responsible for developing effective strategies to maximise the impact of project results, including intellectual property (IPR) management and exploitation planning. EuPC roles include ensuring that the project’s outcomes reach relevant stakeholders through targeted communication campaigns and tailored dissemination tools. Additionally, EuPC will support capacity building by creating training and learning materials aimed at different audiences, contributing to the long-term sustainability and uptake of project innovations.
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IRIS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS S.L.
IRIS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS S.L.: Role and Involvement in the Project
IRIS is an advanced engineering company specializing in real-time monitoring solutions using photonics-based PAT systems and industrial AI for process efficiency and quality in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and other sectors. With a multidisciplinary team of 70 experts, IRIS develops AI-enabled cloud platforms and digital twins. Its two divisions—Commercial and Innovation Lab—deliver B2B solutions and co-create cutting-edge technologies. IRIS is committed to quality and innovation, holding ISO 9001:2008 and UNE-EN-ISO 166002 certifications.
IRIS contributes to the RETAIN project by developing real-time AI-based monitoring and decision-support tools for smart sorting and process optimization of PVC tarpaulins. IRIS leads WP1 on digital solutions, where it develops AI models, Photonics-based PAT tools, and supports the implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) to enhance traceability and data-driven decision-making. It also contributes to WP2 by defining system requirements, WP5 through integration and validation of technologies in demonstration sites, and WP7 by supporting communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities. Leveraging its expertise in industrial AI and digital platforms, IRIS ensures robust data acquisition, interoperability, and process intelligence throughout the circular value chain.
KKF reVinyl GmbH
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Recycling of PVC and PVC composite materials, separating PVC from PET fibres
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Generating of mixtures / recipes containing different PVC-materials for compounds
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Developing of PVC based construction films
KKF reVinyl GmbH: Role and Involvement in the Project
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Research on the improvement of the mechanical recycling of PVC-coated fabrics
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Real-world implementation of the recycling issue of PVC-coated fabrics
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Practical application of the results
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Research on sellable products out of the results of the recycling
Kunststof Recycling Van Werven B.V.
Kunststof Recycling Van Werven B.V. Role and Involvement in the Project
Kunststof Recycling Van Werven specializes in the recycling of post-consumer rigid plastics. Yearly 180.000 ton of plastic waste is processed into secondary raw materials, using a sophisticated process to sort, shred, clean, grind, wash and dry the plastics. This is done on 5 European locations with headquarters located in The Netherlands.
Kunststof Recycling Van Werven is involved in the first three work packages, that handle the collection, sorting and pretreatment of tarpaulins. Effort will be spend to find the best gate control system to manage the risks in safety, health and quality and to build technology to pretreat the tarpaulins and prepare them for further treatment, e.g. separation of PVC and other components and legacy additives.
Mehler Texnologies GmbH
Mehler Texnologies GmbH: Role and Involvement in the Project
MehlerHeytex brings together Mehler Texnologies and the core business of the Heytex Group, both leading global specialists for coated technical textiles. With some 1,000 employees at the production locations in Germany, Czech Republic and China, as well as sales offices worldwide the company serves numerous markets. MehlerHeytex products are used, for example, in truck tarpaulins and container covers, door seals, biogas membranes, drinking water tanks, tents, inflatable boats, as well as advertising media in large-format digital printing.
We as an expert for weaving and coating will support with our knowledge about recycling processes related topics for the re-use in coated technical textiles. Our large network of converters will be adapted to collect business relevant news and insides we should consider for our project progress. Involved in Work Packages (WPs) 2.1 and 2.2, we are part of the expertise group for all applications in our business. Finding recycling solutions in the total value chain is our key motivation factor to be part of the project.
RENOLIT Group
RENOLIT Group: Role and Involvement in the Project
The RENOLIT Group is a globally active specialist for high-quality plastic films, sheets and other polymer solutions. With more than thirty production sites and sales units in over twenty countries, and with annual sales of EUR 1.168 billion in fiscal year 2023, the company with headquarters in Worms – around 70 km south of Frankfurt-am-Main – is one of the world’s leading plastic products manufacturers. Around 5,000 employees continue to further develop the knowledge and expertise gained from seventy-five years of business.
Renolit's aim in the Retain project is to reuse the materials from the truck tarpaulins and convert them into new, useful products, thereby contributing to sustainability. The focus is on integrating the raw materials, mainly PVC, into products such as roofing membranes or pool liners through a calendering process.
RINA Consulting S.p.A
RINA Consulting S.p.A: Role and Involvement in the Project
With over 160 years of experience, RINA is a multinational company supporting clients across the full project lifecycle. Operating in 70 countries with 6,200 professionals, we help energy players meet environmental goals and ensure compliance with top standards. Focused on innovation, safety, and sustainability, RINA actively contributes to decarbonisation through international hydrogen projects and working groups. Our expertise spans renewable energy, grid applications, energy storage, and the broader transformation of the energy sector.
RINA-C leads key activities in the RETAIN project, focusing on process optimization, sustainability assessment, and business model development. In T3.4, RINA-C defines and codes optimization strategies for recycling processes, developing a decision support tool using advanced algorithms and data analysis. It also leads T6.1, conducting life cycle (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) assessments to evaluate environmental and economic impacts, and contributes to the S-LCA in T6.2. In T7.3, RINA-C develops circular business models by analyzing the tarp sector’s supply chains, identifying market barriers, and proposing viable commercialization strategies. Through these roles, RINA-C ensures that RETAIN’s innovations are both technically robust and aligned with long-term sustainability goals.
Sioen Industries NV
Sioen Industries NV: Role and Involvement in the Project
Sioen Industries NV is a Belgian family‑led multinational specializing in the production and coating of technical textiles, protective apparel, and fine chemicals. Founded in 1907 and headquartered in Ardooie, it employs over 6000 staff across 23 countries, offering vertically integrated solutions from fabric to finished goods. As a market leader in coated fabrics and professional protective clothing, Sioen serves diverse sectors—including transport, industry, defense, and medical—driven by innovation and quality across its product portfolio.
Sioen initiated the project, took the lead in drafting the proposal, and serves as the overall project coordinator. In addition to this leadership role, Sioen will actively contribute to several key work packages. These include the design of tarpaulin, its reuse and remanufacturing, and the exploration of new applications for the recycled material. Potential innovations include uses in nonwovens and the development of new tarpaulin products, supporting the project’s circular and sustainable objectives.
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Veolia NV SA
Veolia NV SA: Role and Involvement in the Project
Veolia Belgium & Luxembourg, a subsidiary of the global Veolia Group, employs over 4,400 people and generates around €905 million in revenue. We support industries, municipalities and communities in their ecological transformation through integrated and innovative solutions in water, waste and energy management. With more than 50,000 clients and a strong local presence across both countries, Veolia stands out for its circular economy.
Veolia shares information mainly through its website and internal intranet to keep employees and stakeholders informed. We also plan to display key messages and project highlights in the entrance hall of our headquarters in Brussels.
Veolia is mainly involved in WP2 (Characterisation of residual streams) and WP5 (Demonstration of solutions). Our role is to provide expertise in analysing residual material flows and testing innovative recovery and recycling solutions at industrial scale. We offer pilot facilities, contribute operational know-how on treatment processes, and support the assessment of the technical and environmental feasibility of selected solutions. Our involvement aims to ensure industrial applicability and the replicability of the circular models developed.
VinylPlus®
VinylPlus®: Role and Involvement in the Project
VinylPlus® is the European PVC industry’s commitment to sustainable development.
VinylPlus contributes to the project through communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement, supported by its Communication and Certification & Standardisation experts. Within WP1 – Task 1.1, VinylPlus is involved in:
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Sharing internally draft data collector for identifying current logistics value chain in the 3 pilots (Including Critical points, Gate control mechanisms, KPI and metrics)
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Definition of logistic value chain and gate control for complex, flexible PVC waste
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Align expectations versus available man effort per partner