Plan-C Steering Board Meeting in Budapest: A Year of Progress and Future Goals

Plan-C Steering Board Meeting in Budapest: A Year of Progress and Future Goals

An overview of the key discussions, achievements, and future plans from the Plan-C Steering Board Meeting hosted by DBH InnoGroup in Budapest.

In the first week of February, DBH InnoGroup had the honor of hosting the Steering Board Meeting of the Plan-C project in Budapest. The event brought together 14 partners from across the Danube Region, including Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, and Moldova. Over the course of two days, the consortium reviewed the progress made in the first year of the project and set strategic directions for the upcoming phases.

A Strong Start and Recognition for Effective Execution

 

The meeting kicked off with a comprehensive review of the first year’s achievements. Representatives from the Joint Secretariat, Project Officer Katalin Kovács-Kasza and Financial Officer Mihajlo Cicmilovic, commended the consortium on the seamless execution of project objectives, noting that there were no unforeseen deviations or delays. They also provided guidance on future activities and formal recommendations for the next phases.

Key Discussions and Future Steps

 

A major focus of the meeting was WP1, dedicated to plastics industry transformation. The partners engaged in detailed discussions about the development of prototype concepts and demo cases, as well as the documentation and dissemination of best practices. It was decided that Innoskart will take the lead in compiling promotional materials and drafting a handbook on circular plastic solutions. The initial draft is set to be completed by the mid-term conference in Smolenice, Slovakia, scheduled for May 21-22, 2025. This handbook will serve as a foundation for a broader strategy aimed at enhancing circularity in the plastics industry. The second day was dedicated to WP2, which focuses on the machine industry. The morning session featured transnational peer-level capacity building, where partners formed regional groups to discuss lessons learned from piloting activities. These discussions, guided by a structured template from ICMF, provided valuable insights into best practices and challenges. The consortium also initiated discussions on drafting guidelines for circularity in the machine industry and potential business model developments.

 

Envisioning the Future of the Plastics Value Chain

A crucial outcome of the meeting was the decision to create future scenarios for the plastics value chain, outlining a collective vision for 2030. This effort will involve developing a strategy for enhanced transnational collaboration between plastics processors, machine producers, and other key stakeholders. By fostering cross-border cooperation, Plan-C aims to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable and circular plastics industry.

Looking Ahead

 

The Budapest Steering Board Meeting was a significant milestone in the Plan-C project, reaffirming the commitment of all partners to driving sustainable transformation in the plastics and machine industries. With a solid first year behind us and a clear roadmap ahead, the consortium is eager to continue its mission of making the plastics value chain circular and future-proof. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress towards our shared vision!