NPSP Offers Training on Mechanical Pretreatment for Recycling Thermoset Composites

The "Mechanical Recycling & Pretreatment" training took place on Thursday afternoon, February 26, 2026, at NPSP in Delft. This practical session was aimed at a broad audience of professionals and students, including non-technical ones, who want to better understand what it takes to make thermoset plastic waste suitable for reuse in new products.

The focus was on the pretreatment of plastic streams: sorting, cleaning, size reduction (shredding/grinding), and conditioning. Participants gained insight into how choices in these steps directly impact product quality, costs, and the environmental impact of recycled plastics. Eric Petersen of Agricon Nederland delivered a clear message: the cleaner and better sorted the input, the higher the quality of the secondary raw material and the more applications are possible. Aditya Babu, end-of-life specialist at NPSP, explained that mechanical processing is an important first step for mechanical recycling, but also for solvolysis, pyrolysis, and biological recycling, the topics for the follow-up training courses.

Sharing practical knowledge

The program combined an accessible introduction by Agricon Nederland with concrete practical examples, followed by a theoretical and practical tour of the grinding equipment used to reduce various materials. NPSP demonstrated how composite materials are processed into new fillers with high added value at the end of their lifespan and how these fit into circular product chains. Mechanical recycling was also placed within the broader context of solutions for plastic waste, such as chemical recycling, energy recovery, and landfilling. Using examples, including those involving PVC, it became clear that the chemical composition of plastics and the presence of additives significantly influence the feasibility and safety of recycling.

The meeting brought together a diverse group of participants from education, research, and business. This facilitated a rich exchange of ideas on current recycling issues and provided excellent networking opportunities. The three-hour small-group session was positively evaluated: participants appreciated the quality of the presentations, the balance between overview and in-depth content, and the opportunity for questions and discussion. Students indicated that they gained a better understanding of "real" industrial challenges and potential career paths in the circular economy.

Follow-up Trainings

The "Mechanical Recycling & Pretreatment" training is the first in a series of four. Three follow-up sessions are scheduled: March 12 (solvolysis), March 26 (pyrolysis), and April 14 (LCA & Circular Business Models). Together, these afternoons offer a cohesive program that gives participants a comprehensive overview of the technological, environmental, and business aspects of plastics recycling and the transition to a circular economy. You can register for future sessions using this form.

The C RECYCLE project aims to develop a regional hub for (primarily chemical) recycling innovation and education, in which companies, startups, educational institutions, and research institutions collaborate closely. The project has a total budget of €3.5 million and is co-financed by the European Union, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment through the Just Transition Fund (JTF).

 The C-Recycle project has a total budget of €3.5 million and is co-financed by the European Union, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment through the Just Transition Fund.