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Life in Plastic: How plastship Enables New Circular Pathways for Plastics

As a European network for plastics sourcing, recyclates and digital quality data, plastship is working to keep plastics transparent, efficient and reliable within the circular economy. By combining platform technology, laboratory analytics and AI, the company based in Waldems is creating the foundation for high-quality recyclates – and for a future-ready circular plastics economy.

Our 2024 Achievements

  • 5,000tonnes recyclates distributed

  • 10,000tonnes CO₂ saved

  • 25percent cost reduction for customers

Digital Material Search Meets Laboratory Analysis

plastship connects data, technology and practical application. Through our central platform, companies can source and market recyclates, compare material qualities and access comprehensive datasets, material assessments and AI-driven recommendations.

At the core lies a continuously expanding database of more than 3,000 datasets, enabling filtering by application, properties and availability. Each material stream is transparently documented – a key requirement for consistent quality and traceable supply chains.

Digital Material Search Meets Laboratory Analysis

Making Quality Measurable: Laboratory Testing at PlastCert

To ensure that quality data does not rely on self-reporting, every material is tested in the laboratory. Together with PlastCert – the quality assurance unit of our parent company RIGK – plastship analyses:

Making Quality Measurable: Laboratory Testing at PlastCert

Technical properties

such as MFR, density, moisture content, ash content and impact strength

Technical properties

Optical properties

such as defects, opacity and purity

Optical properties

Composition and polymer content

including XRF heavy-metal analysis

Composition and polymer content

Odour

a crucial factor for sensitive applications such as cosmetics

Data-Driven Recyclate Recommendations: AI for Circularity

By combining verified laboratory parameters with AI methodologies, plastship identifies suitable recyclates for specific applications – establishing a digital foundation for recyclate deployment. The goal: to return plastics into new products faster, more safely and more economically.

Data-Driven Recyclate Recommendations: AI for Circularity

Study Reveals Potential Across Key Industries

Together with the SKZ (German Plastics Centre) and 33 European recycling companies, plastship analysed the untapped potential of recyclate use across several sectors. The results show:

  • Packaging:

    +10% possible with more flexibility in colour & pricing

  • Electronics:

    significant potential, mainly through price (+9.8%)

  • Construction:

    +3% through adjusted dimensions and pricing

  • Automotive:

    the strongest lever – +80% through price flexibility alone

  • Agriculture:

    already at 25% recyclate share, with further growth possible through price elasticity

  • Die Studie unterstreicht: Durch Qualitätsdaten, Transparenz und Digitalisierung kann der Rezyklatanteil in nahezu allen Branchen deutlich wachsen.

Looking Ahead: Procurement, Design for Recycling and On-Site Waste Management

The platform is only one building block. plastship also supports companies across all key areas of circular plastics management:

Looking Ahead: Procurement, Design for Recycling and On-Site Waste Management

Procurement and distribution

of recyclates and plastic waste

Recyclate supply

Procurement and distribution

On-site fsctory disposal

for clearly defined and traceable material streams

Recycling as a Service

On-site fsctory disposal

Digital material data

for evaluation and specification

plastship Monitored Materials

Digital material data

Support across the value chain:

This is how plastship supports manufacturers and brands on their path towards recyclable products and stable material cycles.

Community

Driving Innovation: AI and Material Flow Optimisation with KISS

In the state-funded KISS project (AI-based qualification, control and optimisation of material flows), plastship and its partners are developing a platform that uses AI to analyse material samples, assess material flows and identify optimal recycling pathways. KISS creates the basis for data-driven decisions and transparent quality comparisons within the circular economy.

Visit the project
Driving Innovation: AI and Material Flow Optimisation with KISS

The Founder Interview

Interview with Andreas Bastian (Founder and Managing Director) on the broader societal benefits of innovation and the positive aspects of plastics:

“Plastics can therefore become part of the solution for conserving resources and driving sustainability.”

The Founder Interview

1. Plastic often has a poor reputation. What fascinates you about this material?

Plastics are frequently viewed as inherently problematic, yet their versatility, resource efficiency and wide range of applications make them indispensable to modern societies. The problem rarely lies with the material itself, but with insufficient material-flow management and a linear economic system. We advocate for a societal shift: away from one-sided judgement and towards recognising plastics as a valuable, circular-capable resource.

2. How does your innovation change the way we see plastics?

We ensure that plastics can be efficiently recovered and reused, enabling closed material loops. This allows plastics to become part of the solution for resource conservation and sustainability. As mentioned: plastic itself is not the problem.

3. What benefits does this bring to society?

By keeping plastics in circulation for longer and making high-quality recyclates available for various industries, we support climate-neutral and sustainable economic development. The use of primary resources and CO₂ emissions decreases. At the same time, companies strengthen their economic resilience by gaining access to stable raw-material sources through consistently high-quality recyclates. Digital technologies and AI make material flows traceable – providing transparency and enhancing collaboration across the plastics-processing sectors.

© The images used in this article were created in cooperation with Innovate Hessen – Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH, Technologieland Hessen. plastship extends its sincere thanks for the partnership and collaboration.

👉 You can find the full Innovate Hessen article here: innovate-hessen.de / Innovate Hessen

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