What happens to spill containment trays after years of use? Currently, many end up as scrap. This results in the loss of valuable materials, and companies face the challenge of how to meet increasing demands for sustainability and resource efficiency in the future. Denios, a manufacturer of such spill containment trays, aims to change this and is testing a circular business model for its products in the it's OWL project GoProZero.

Spill containment trays are a common sight in industry and trade. They catch leaking liquids and are therefore essential for the safe storage of hazardous materials. But when they become unusable, disposal is often the only option.

“In the it’s OWL project GoProZero, we want to research something that will concretely advance our product portfolio. Using the example of drip trays, we are learning how to make products and business models more sustainable,” says Udo Roth, project manager at Denios.

More than recycling: Redesign as the next stage

The focus is not solely on recycling used plastic tubs. "We are also exploring a redesign. This would allow us to save material while simultaneously refurbishing used products so they can be reintroduced into our production process," says Roth. The goal is to make the reuse of materials technically and organizationally feasible – a step that goes beyond traditional recycling.

Denios is supported by the Heinz Nixdorf Institute at the University of Paderborn, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, and OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Together, they are investigating how sustainable product design works, the role of take-back logistics, and how the entire life cycle of a product can be evaluated. "We can later apply this knowledge to other products," emphasizes Roth.

More about the 'GoProZero' project

The ‘GoProZero’ project unites partners from science and industry who contribute their expertise to the development of circular product creation systems.

Under the consortium leadership of the University of Paderborn, research institutions such as Bielefeld University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Fraunhofer IEM, and Fraunhofer IOSB-INA are involved. In addition, leading companies such as CLAAS, DENIOS, GEA, HARTING, WAGO, and Weidmüller contribute their practical experience and specific challenges to the flagship projects.

Hard practical questions instead of theoretical models

The transformation towards a circular economy brings with it specific challenges:

• Contamination: Are the tubs so heavily contaminated that recycling becomes impossible?

• Take-back logistics: How can a system be organized nationwide or across Europe?

• Evidence: How can it be proven that the circular model is truly more sustainable than the linear one?

“We are particularly excited about the results regarding sustainability indicators and the new IT tools. Only with these will we be able to create digital product passports and Environmental Product Declarations in the future,” explains Roth.

Digital product passports are standardized datasets about a product's composition and environmental impact. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are internationally recognized environmental declarations that companies can use as evidence in supply chains and during audits.

Benefits for companies: Data creates clarity

The question of proof is crucial for industry. Digital tools that provide reliable key performance indicators will not only facilitate audits and certifications in the future, but also the fulfillment of regulatory obligations such as the digital product passport. For Denios, one thing is clear: only with such tools can it be demonstrated that the circular economy truly offers advantages – both ecologically and economically.

Learning in the network

In addition to technological insights, Denios also benefits from the exchange with other companies in the project environment. "In the leading-edge cluster it's OWL, we benefit doubly: from research that directly applies the latest methods to industry issues, and from the exchange with other companies. Here we learn from each other without being in competition," says Roth.

His advice to other companies: “Start with a question that already exists within the company. This creates genuine motivation. Formats such as innovation projects allow for an uncomplicated entry, in a short time and with clear results.”

The article " Collection trays in circulation: Denios tests new ways for sustainable hazardous material storage" first appeared on it's OWL .