Interreg Danube Region - Plan C
The Plan-C project addresses the challenges posed by the linear nature of the plastics value chain in the Danube Region and promoting the transition towards a circular economy model.
Challenges: Low Recycling Rates, lack of Circular economy infrastructure, mindset and behavioral shifts, competitiveness of key Actors, policy Alignment and implementation
Aims: Enable a shift towards circular practices in the plastics value chain across the Danube Region, emphasizing recycling, reuse, and efficient waste management. Improve the competitive edge of plastics producers and machine firms by embracing circularity and technological advancements.
Key objectives: Promotion circular practices in the plastics value chain across the Danube Region, enhance the competitiveness of key actors through circularity and innovation, build capacities for practical implementation, integrate project strategies with regional policies, engage stakeholders for systemic change, demonstrate the benefits of circularity, and develop a comprehensive action Plan for embedding circular economy principles throughout the value chain.
Main outputs:
Technology Transfer
Capacity Building
Policy Integration
Stakeholder Engagement
Demonstration of Benefits
Transnational Action Plan
Project Partner:
Business Upper Austria
Austria Business Service
Romanian Cluster Association
Foundation for Innovation, Technology and Knowledge Transfer Bosnia
Innovation Center, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romania
Innoskart Business Development Nomprofit Kft.
Omnipack First Hungarian Packaging Technology Cluster, HU
Czech Plastics Cluster z.s.
Association of Light industry enterprises, Moldova
Slovak Plastic Cluster
Technical University of Košice, Faculty of Manufacturing Technologies
Tomas Bata University in Zlín
Project Period: 01/2024 - 06/2026
24. Februar 2024
14 Project Partners started to work to transform PLASTIC AND MACHINE INDUSTRY into a circular economy using a design thinking methodology
The first project event was hold in Linz, Austria at the end of February, hosted by Business Upper Austria, lead partner of the project.
The first in-person meeting of the project partners during the implementation of Plan-C. The project members were briefed on their managerial, communication, and financial responsibilities, while also beginning to coordinate the project's work packages. Katalin Kovacs-Kasza from the Danube Region Programme presented the program and its strategy. Guest speakers included Ms. Helia Kovačević Grčić and Mr. Toni Lučić, Priority Coordinator from the HR Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, presenting on the topic of EUSDR Priority Area 8 – Competitiveness of enterprises."
"The goal of Plan-C is to transform the plastics and mechanical engineering industries into a circular economy. To achieve this, the project partners discussed the main steps of the project: problem identification, presentation of best practices, and the creation of prototypes through design thinking workshops, which will be adapted by the economy and industry players. As part of the meeting, a design thinking workshop was also held, in a team-building spirit, where participants were tasked with developing reusable cutlery.
The work and collective brainstorming have begun!"
25. Juni 2024
Plan-C project partner @ARBURG, Loßburg
Today ARBURG offered our project group an individual tour through their hightech production lines, followed by an inspiring panel talk with Samira Uharek, Sustainability Manager.
26. Juni 2024
The first Steering Committee meeting for Plan-C was held in Horb on 24-26 June. The central focus of the meeting was circularity in the plastics industry and its relevance for fostering sustainability in the Danube Region.
Key topics discussed:
Challenges in the Plastics Industry: Participants addressed significant barriers to achieving a circular economy within the sector, including recycling inefficiencies, regulatory hurdles, and the complexity of plastic waste streams.
Regional Problems: The discussion highlighted the specific issues faced by countries in the Danube Region, such as inadequate waste management infrastructure, inconsistent policy enforcement, and lack of public awareness on plastic recycling.
Best Practices, Keystones & Cornerfactors: Despite these challenges, the meeting showcased several innovative approaches from across the region.
Best practices such as advanced sorting technologies, collaborations between public and private sectors, and community-led recycling initiatives were presented as potential models for broader adoption.
The meeting set the foundation for future collaborations aimed at overcoming these challenges and promoting circularity in plastics across the Danube Region.
1. Januar 2024
Today one of our latest projects is starting.
The "Plan-C" project realizes a shift towards circular practices in the plastics value chain across the Danube Region.