INTERREG SI AT - reCANet

Project title: Regional network for sustainable fibre composites based on covalent adaptable networks

Project acronym: reCANet

Program: (Interreg VI-A) Slovenia-Austria

The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Interreg Slovenia-Austria program.

Project Objectives:

The main objective of reCANet is to advance the SI-AT region's circular economy for composites by establishing a durable collaborative network, empowering over 15 SMEs with advanced knowledge, and co-developing CAN-composite innovations with at least 6 enterprises, thereby fostering resource efficiency and circular practices.

The project addresses a critical challenge: fibre-reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) are essential in regional industries yet typically difficult to recycle, leading to extensive waste and a linear economic model. reCANet confronts this by developing innovative, sustainable composites based on Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs) that are designed for repair, reprocessing, and high-quality recycling, targeting over 75% material recovery.

Approach:

The reCANet project is divided into three integrated work packages:

• WP1: Initial Ecosystem Development - Strategic regional roadmap, circular business model blueprints, innovation network activation, and capacity building programme with academic integration
• WP2: Material Innovation - Development of at least 3 bio-based CAN resin systems and 3 sustainable CAN-composite materials using regional fibres, plus validation of End-of-Life protocols
• WP3: Sustained Impact Creation - Industrial demonstrators, SME implementation toolkit, direct support to 4+ SMEs, and long-term sustainability strategy

Main Outputs:

• Strategic Regional Roadmap: Mapping 70+ stakeholders and 3 "Rethink"-driven Circular Business Model Blueprints
• Innovation Network: Active reCANet network with 30+ organisations
• Capacity Building Programme: Training for 30+ participants (including 15+ SMEs) integrated into FTPO curricula
• Material Portfolios: At least 3 bio-based CAN resins and 3 sustainable CAN-composites
• EoL Protocols Handbook: Comprehensive guide targeting >75% material recovery
• Industrial Demonstrators: At least 2 functional CAN-composite components validated in SI & AT
• SME Implementation Toolkit: Practical guides and tools for circular business model adoption

Project Partners:

• Faculty of Polymer Technology (FTPO), Slovenia (SI) - Lead Partner
• Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH (WOOD), Austria (AT)
• Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), Austria (AT)
• National Institute of Chemistry (NIC), Slovenia (SI)
• VEPLAS velenjska plastika, d.d. (VEPLAS), Slovenia (SI)
• CAPiTA MFG GmbH (CAPITA), Austria (AT)

Project Details:

• Lead Partner / Coordinator: Faculty of Polymer Technology (FTPO), Slovenia (SI)
• Project Leader at FTPO: doc.dr. mont. Janez Slapnik
• Duration: 35 months
• Total Budget: €1,206,030.63
• ERDF Funding: €964,824.49
• More about the programme: https://www.si-at.eu/