Closing of the European POLREC project

Closure of the European POLREC project :

concrete results for European SMEs active in polymer recycling:

The European POLREC project, launched on September 1, 2022 and coordinated by Polymeris, concluded on October 31, 2025 after three years dedicated to accelerating polymer recycling in Europe. Funded by the Euroclusters initiative, this program aimed to reduce the environmental impact of polymer products while strengthening the European Union's strategic autonomy in recycled raw materials.

The consortium brought together five European partners — Polymeris, first recycled, CENTIMFE, MAV, WFG and Plast cluster Danemark — whose mission was to support SMEs in adopting mechanical and chemical recycling solutions and digital monitoring. The project established a pan-European network, promoted the creation of new circular business models, and developed training tools to support the upskilling of industrial teams.

With a budget of 1.28 million euros, POLREC launched eight cascading funding calls, supporting innovation for 26 SMEs (grants of 20,000 to 30,000 € per project, totaling 761,200 €, of which 266,433 € were allocated to French SMEs).

It also enabled the training of 52 SMEs (a grant of €1,460 per company, for a total of €88,677), with 125 employees trained.

Finally, the project promoted the internationalization of companies through the participation of 41 SMEs in 24 trade shows and the organization of an exploratory mission to Quebec on polymer recycling, bringing together 9 European SMEs (grants of €500 to €2,500 for the trade shows, totaling €66,500, and €3,600 for the Quebec mission, totaling €32,400).

The project's closing event took place on October 10, 2025, at the K trade show and highlighted its impacts, policy recommendations, and opportunities in non-EU countries, with a delegation of companies from Canada and India in attendance. It concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing the best European practices: Bloom – Natural Steam and Plastiz for innovation, as well as Polytopoly for internationalization and the best pitch.