RETROFEED – Implementation of a Smart RETROfitting Framework in the Process Industry towards its Operation with Variable, Biobased and Circular FEEDstock

Resource and Energy Intensive Industries (REIIs) require large quantities of material and energy inputs to meet the demands of their production processes. The environmental footprint resulting from these operations is therefore substantial and must be reduced to attain more sustainable business practices. RETROFEED is targeted at modifying core process equipment in REIIs to boost energy and material utilisation efficiencies, reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and replace traditional feedstock with biobased and recycled alternatives. The proposed integration strategy is based on the latest Industry 4.0 assets, including but not limited to development of novel sensors, digitalisation tools and decision support systems that will facilitate the adoption of new practices while maximising performance objectives. Impacts will be evidenced in six demonstration sites in the ceramic, cement, aluminium, steel and agrochemicals sectors. It is expected that by the end of the project, material and energy efficiencies are enhanced by 20%.