VDI-RETech-GIZ Workshop on Technology Transfer and Plastics Waste Recycling together with BMZ and BMU

The increasing spread of plastic waste and microplastics in rivers and seas has become a global challenge and requires immediate action by the industrialized world. 

The Association of German Engineers (VDI), the German RETech Partnership e.V. and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) discussed on the 29th of August 2019 in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Bonn together with experts and representatives of the ministries BMZ and BMU in a workshop possible solutions to accelerate the technology transfer especially for plastics waste recycling from Germany to emerging countries.

Several keynote speeches highlighted the topics of marine litter and the technical possibilities for plastics waste recycling from different angles. In subsequent discussions and group work in World Café format, strategies were developed to promote the transfer of technology for plastics waste recycling to emerging markets.

A technology transfer includes both the introduction of logistical collection systems for used plastic packaging and products (like the yellow bin in this country) and the establishment of sorting and recycling capacities.

In addition to the worldwide alarming environmental pollution, RETech and the VDI also point out the economic and social problems of raw material waste in the environment: Millions of tons of valuable secondary raw materials are withdrawn from the manufacturing industry. Only a sustainable use of primary and secondary raw materials in a circular economy can put a stop to this. To achieve this, the technological achievements of a modern plastic waste recycling management system urgently needs to be transferred to other countries. RETech and the VDI are therefore actively promoting technology transfer in the field of plastic waste recycling to emerging countries.