POLYPROBLEM report: The Circularity Code

enough data available. The circular economy would benefit greatly, both in terms of the digital product passport and AI methods, if we collaborated more closely. An overarching, cross-company digital infrastructure is something that we constantly advocate for. Does that mean that digital progress in the circular economy is more of a cultural challenge than a technological one? Absolutely. Of course, it’s no piece of cake to equip a 40-year-old machine park in such a way that you can get data out of it. But it’s doable. But it all rests on the willingness to share data and develop solutions together. What further potential do you see in the use of artificial intelligence in terms of the sustainability of plastic products? AI will probably make it easier to substitute materials in the foreseeable future, i.e., to replace fossil-based raw materials with bio-based or recycled materials, for example. Efforts are being made to use AI to better illustrate similarities in different materials. Put simply, it will soon be much easier to simulate whether an alternative material will work just as well for a desired application as the fossil-based product. Will artificial intelligence also play a role in recycling? Yes, that is foreseeable. There are interesting approaches for using AI to help evaluate data obtained in spectroscopic processes. With their infrared sensors, modern sorting systems are already quite good at recognizing and separating individual types of plastics. However, evaluating this data with the help of AI will significantly increase the machine’s hit rate in the future. This offers an opportunity for cleaner material flows and ultimately more recyclable material of a higher quality. What about the practical implementation of all the technologies mentioned and the associated opportunities? On an academic scale and also in practical trials, all of the approaches mentioned have proven that the technology works. Now it depends on the availability of data and ultimately on the mindset of those involved. “Shared learning as a chance” 11

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