BIO-LOOP ZH2050

A trigger strategy towards a circular economy based on the bio-based plastic industry in the region of Port of Rotterdam

Student report (2022)

Authors

C. Bechmann Architecture and the Built Environment
S. Liu Architecture and the Built Environment
E.E.J. Steenbergen Architecture and the Built Environment
M. Zhang Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

L. Qu Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
L.M. Calabrese Urban Design - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
K.B.J. Van den Berghe Urban Development Management - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
R.C. Rocco de Campos Pereira Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment (graduation committee member)
M.M. Dabrowski Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2022 Clarissa Bechmann, Shiru Liu, Emy Steenbergen, Minshi Zhang
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Published Date

14-04-2022

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

Nowadays, circular economy is of growing importance in the social, economic, and environmental fields. The realisation happens on different scales. First steps towards a circular economy have already been taken, but it will take time before a circular world is reached. Also, under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the bio-based concept raises more awareness.

This strengthens the aim to create a circular economy. The industry in the Port of Rotterdam is mainly based on fossil-based industries that follow the linear system. Therefore, high emissions and waste are caused. This contradicts the aims of the SDG and the idea of a circular system. Consequently, the port area should be transformed into a flexible system that can adapt to changing future situations. This will be realized by a circular system that contributes to the development of the bio-based industry.

This transition is triggered by the current oil- and plastic industries taking place within the Port. By treating the bio-plastic industry as a trigger industry, a strategy for the transition towards a bio-based system is created. This leads to a circular economy that depends on bio-based materials. Since the bio-based system might face future challenges, it is important to guarantee further adaptation and self-improvement over time. The final goal is to create a closed-loop within the Port region to reduce emissions and waste products using these bio-based materials.

To close this loop, the Bio-Loop ZH2050 is integrated into the Port area. A Green Belt strategy promotes the circular economy within the province of South Holland, and by implementing the Living Labs, knowledge and technologies are improved over time. The Bio-Loop ZH2050 influences the aim of the province to become 100% circular by 2050 and several SDG topics. Environmentally, this project supports the transition towards a circular bio-based system and to reduce the impact of pollution and climate change. Socially, the Bio-Loop ZH2050 creates the possibility to get society involved in the bio-based circularity. And finally, economically, the Port of Rotterdam will become the port of Europe based on the bio-based economy, which is the entrance connecting the global market and EU market.