Interreg EU Alpenraum - Cradle ALP
The "Interreg Alpine Space" (Cradle-ALP) project targets the implementation of circular design within industrial processes of the chemical-, plastics- and wood industry.
Challenges: Structural change, use and replacement of natural ressources, transformation of the linear economy.
Aims: The Alpine region is rich in natural resources and also possesses the necessary technologies to replace fossil raw materials and toxic substances from production with recyclable and environmentally friendly alternatives. The project focuses on the substitution of chemical and fossil-based materials with more recyclable, sustainable and biodegradable materials.
Key objectives: C2C approaches and mechanisms for the transformation of industrial products and processes. Practical implementation and financing.
Main outputs:
Generating awareness.
Understanding and identifying opportunities as well as obstacles among the public, focus industries, interest groups, politics and innovation intermediaries.
Training of business support providers to accompany the companies.
Creating options to implement C2C approaches along specific value chains via multidimensional roadmapping (technology, politics, business, ...).
Transfer to industrial practice.
Joint, cross-border financing instruments.
Project Partner:
Padova Chamber of Commerce Industry Crafts and Agriculture (Lead partner), Italien
Technologiezentrum Horb GmbH & Co. KG, Deutschland
Chemie-Cluster Bayern, Deutschland
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Wien, Österreich
Business Upper Austria – Upper Austrian business agency, Österreich
UniSMART-Foundation of the University of Padua, Italien
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Slowenien
Polymeris, Frankreich
School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg, Schweiz
Project Period: 11/2022 - 11/2025
10 avril 2025
The 10th of April was used to report on the project activities of the past months and the progress of the pilot actions and their communication.
Based on this, the next steps were planned and the financial plan was evaluated.
On the 9th and 10th of April, the CradleALP project partners from all over the Alpine Space came together in Heilbronn for the periodical coordination meeting.
In addition to the project meeting, the project partners represented the CradleALP project at the Cluster Meet Regions on April 9 and used the platform to communicate the developed C2C roadmaps.
The 10th of April was used to report on the project activities of the past months and the progress of the pilot actions and their communication.
Based on this, the next steps were planned and the financial plan was evaluated.
14 mai 2025
CradleALP offers 1:1 matchmaking at CIRPLEX (Circular Plastics Experience Summit)
CIRPLEX (Circular Plastics Experience Summit) is an innovative combination of conference and trade fair. Sustainable and circular plastic solutions from the Alpine-Adriatic region are presented in one single location.
This unique space connects start-ups with industry leaders!
The CradleALP project consortium will be in place to present the projects outcomes and perform a professional 1:1 matchmaking!
29 août 2024
Polymer-based composite industry
Short-Term (2024-2026): Laying the Foundation for Circularity
Technology: The development of a public database on second-life and end-of-life solutions for composites, coupled with the extension of bio-sourced materials.
Business Models: Encouraging collaboration between actors all over the supply chain for biobased composites.
Legal and Political Framework: Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and establishing standards for recycled composites materials.
Mid-Term (2026-2029): Scaling and Integration of Circular Practices
Technology: Expanding the public database to include second-life solutions for composites and developing infrastructure for waste-to-energy recovery of biomaterials. Promoting modular product designs.
Business Models: Creating markets for biobased composites by fostering demand among manufacturers and consumers.
Legal and Political Framework: Aligning European regulations for end-of-life management of composites and developing ISO standards for recycling and reusing composite materials.
Long-Term (2029-2034): Achieving Structural Changes for a Circular Economy
Technology: Developing a public database of the technical properties of recycled composite materials and ensuring that all composite products are designed for easy dismantling and reuse.
Business Models: Implementing pilot projects for composite waste collection and creating harmonized Design for Circularity Guidelines for stakeholders across the value chain.
Legal and Political Framework: Banning the landfilling of high-value composites waste and implementing EU regulations that require the inclusion of recycled content in new composite products.
14 octobre 2024
Approach for entrepreneurial transformation.
The main tools we provide you access are:
Circularity Compass: This strategic tool visualizes the resource flows in the various phases of a product's life cycle and helps to discuss potential for waste reduction, resource efficiency and material cycles.
Quick Scan: A tool that analyzes your existing business model and identifies approaches for further development in terms of sustainability and the circular economy.
Sustainable Business Model Canvas: The expansion of the classic Business Model Canvas, which helps you to rethink your business model and focus on sustainable effects and benefits of the adaption of circular methods.
Lego Serious Play: Hands-on workshops to discover new approaches of collaboration and the exchange of ideas within interdisciplinary teams.
Additional information to the complete toolbox you can find here.
Furthermore we would like to share the gained experience and expertise within our project consortium and the strong the network we created:
Transformation roadmaps: Roadmaps developed in the Cradle-ALP project for the chemicals, polymers/composites, packaging, textiles and wood/furniture sectors, highlighting technological/regulatory challenges and solutions.
Review - Life Cycle Analysis Tools: A comprehensive overview of 33 different LCA tools to assess the life cycle of your products.
Matchmaking Events: Use our online and face-to-face events to network with other companies to benefit from the experience of your industry and the aggregated knowledge of our partners!
6 mai 2025
LCA, is a method for the holistic evaluation of environmental impacts along the entire product life cycle - from raw material extraction to end of life.
Under the guidance of Cathrin Cailliau, LCA expert at the Yordas Group, participants will receive a well-founded overview of:
The basics of life cycle assessment (LCA)
The four phases of an LCA (target definition, life cycle inventory, impact assessment, interpretation)
Important standards & guidelines (ISO 14040/44)
Data requirements & practical challenges
Linking LCA with circular economy and ecodesign
Legal framework & communication of results
The workshop is tailored for:
Companies that want to make their products more sustainable
Product designers & engineers
Sustainability officers & environmental managers
Procurement teams & manufacturers
Investors & political decision-makers
No prior knowledge is required - the workshop offers a practical introduction with room for questions and discussion.
20 mars 2025
Online matchmaking for stakeholders form the alpione region.
The event offers an experts conference highlighting the regulatory framework, recycling strategies and innovative solutions for the circular economy. High-profile experts, including Dr. Florian Part and Christoph Olscher from BOKU University, will talk about legal requirements and the application of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) for SMEs.
Several companies will also present best practices and innovative technologies for the automotive and materials industries.
In the afternoon, B2B meetings will enable direct discussions with potential business partners to promote cross-border cooperation in the circular economy.
1 novembre 2022
Today one of our latest projects is starting.