RETAIN Consortium Gathers in Graz for its 5th Project Meeting

The RETAIN project consortium met in Graz, Austria, from 6 to 8 October 2026 for its fifth consortium meeting, hosted by SATTLER.

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The three-day gathering brought partners together to review progress, share results, and align on the next steps towards achieving the project’s key milestones.

The consortium was also pleased to welcome TRINSEO as a new partner, further strengthening the collaboration and expertise within the RETAIN community.

With fruitful discussions, tangible results already available, and plenty of new ideas emerging, the meeting marked another important step towards achieving the project’s ambitions.

Exciting results are already taking shape, and we look forward to sharing more with you soon!

Day 1:

The first day focused on three workshops addressing key technical, policy, and standardisation aspects of the project.

The workshop “Aged Tarpaulins - Visual, Chemical, and Practical Aspects,” led by Mehler, explored the characteristics and challenges associated with aged tarpaulins. Hand samples provided by Mehler were examined and discussed by consortium partners, offering a practical basis for exchanging observations and insights.

The second workshop, “Preliminary Policy Brief,” led by EuPC focused on the preliminary policy brief and the policy-related aspects relevant to the project.

The day concluded with a workshop on standardisation aspects, led by CTB. Discussions explored the importance of standardisation in supporting the development and implementation of circular solutions for PVC tarpaulins.

Together, the workshops provided a valuable opportunity to share expertise, discuss challenges, and identify areas for further collaboration.

Day 2:

The second day was dedicated to reviewing the progress achieved across the project’s work packages. Partners presented updates on ongoing activities, results, deliverables, upcoming workshops, and future plans. Updates were delivered by WP1 - WP5. These sessions provided a comprehensive overview of the work carried out so far, while enabling partners to exchange feedback, discuss current challenges, and coordinate upcoming activities.

In the afternoon, the consortium welcomed a presentation by Sign Again. Sign Again is made entirely from used banners and cutting waste, demonstrating how materials that would otherwise be discarded can be transformed into new products. The presentation offered an inspiring example of material recovery and circular design, closely aligned with RETAIN’s broader ambitions.

After a productive day of technical discussions, partners enjoyed a walking tour through the historic city of Graz, providing an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and discover the city together.

Day 3: Looking Ahead

The final day continued with updates on the remaining work packages, with presentations covering WP6 - WP8. The sessions focused on project progress, deliverables, future activities, and the next steps needed to keep the project moving towards its objectives.

Across the three days, the meeting was marked by constructive exchanges, fruitful discussions, and a shared commitment to advancing the RETAIN project. With tangible results already emerging and many new ideas taking shape, the consortium is looking forward to sharing further developments and achievements with a wider audience soon.

Moving Forward Together

The fifth RETAIN consortium meeting in Graz was another important milestone in the project’s journey. From hands-on technical discussions and workshops to work package reviews and inspiring examples of recycling innovation, the meeting reinforced the value of collaboration in finding new ways to extend the life of PVC tarpaulins.

A big thank you to SATTLER for the warm welcome and amazing hospitality throughout the meeting!

We look forward to the next consortium meeting, in January 2027 taking place in Genoa, Italy, hosted by RINA.