Recycling Engineering and High-Performance plastics is entering a new era. Led by the HEIA-FR and supported by the New Regional Policy (NRP) of the canton of Fribourg, the Recycling 4.1 project brings together six industrial partners — Johnson Electric International, Recoplast, UHCS Construction, Polycompound, Colorplastic, and Climate Services — to develop innovative recycling solutions for engineering-grade plastics.

These materials — including polyamides (PA), polycarbonates (PC), technical polyesters (PBT/PET), and polyoxymethylenes (POM) — are essential in sectors such as automotive, electronics, and construction. Yet, their complex chemistry and strict performance requirements make them notoriously difficult to recycle without compromising quality.

Recycling 4.1 introduces an innovative “short-loop” recycling approach, where regenerated materials are directly reintegrated into the production processes of the partner companies. Instead of relying on standard formulations, the additives in this process are tailored to the specific requirements of the material's ‘next life cycle’. This approach helps preserve up to 90% of the mechanical and chemical performance of virgin plastics, while reducing both production costs and the carbon footprint.

The project draws on the expertise of the iRAP laboratory at HEIA-FR to characterize recycled materials, produce functional prototypes, and compile a technical implementation guide for industrial use. Each partner brings a complementary role to the consortium :

• Johnson Electric, Colorplastic and UHCS Construction will test the reintroduction of recycled plastics in their production lines,
• Polycompound and Colorplastic will optimize formulations and additives,
• Recoplast will explore external recycling solutions for companies unable to recycle on-site,
• Climate Services will perform lifecycle assessments (LCA) to quantify CO₂ reduction and sustainability impacts.

By creating a local value chain for Engineering and High-Performance plastics recycling, Recycling 4.1 strengthens both environmental sustainability and industrial competitiveness in Fribourg. It stands as a concrete example of how circular economy principles can be applied to high-performance materials — transforming waste into a valuable resource for the industries of tomorrow.