From Bidon to Circular Sports Product

The aim of the ‘From Bidon to Circular Sports Product’ project, a collaboration between MNEXT and SAAR Sport, is to develop recycled sports products from used bottles. Funded by Innofest x SIA Sport 2024, the project is committed to providing a sustainable alternative to disposable sports materials. These products will be presented and tested during the World Cup Speed Skating Qualification Tournament from November 8 to 10 at the Thialf Stadium, where athletes will experience the circular potential of these recycled materials.

Within the project, the scrap material from collected bottles is analyzed for physical and mechanical properties, compared to new (virgin) material. SAAR Sport supports this approach through a sustainable chain that facilitates the collection of used bottles. These are recycled in the Biopolymer Application Centre (BAC), where the collected bottles are processed into plastic pellets. These pellets are then compounded, making the material suitable for new circular applications.

Innovative applications and test results

In the BAC, several product ideas are being explored, such as medals, lampshades, and 3D printing filament. It has been found that thinner 3D printing filament (1.75 mm) is more stable than thicker filament, making it an interesting option for companies in the 3D printing sector that want to work with recycled materials. Additionally, work has been done on creating a fully recycled podium, which athletes and spectators can experience in action during the tournament in Thialf.