Presenting our partners: RTU

The Institute of High Performance Materials and Structures at Riga Technical University (RTU) plays a pivotal role in the CompositeCircle project, bringing deep expertise in research and industrial collaboration to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in the renewable energy sector: composite waste management.

Building on experience from the previous Glass Circle project, RTU expands its focus from reusing dry fiber fabrics to addressing the broader issue of composite recycling. “We realized that the composite itself is a bigger challenge,” says Līva Pupure, Head of the Institute and project partner. This insight led to the formation of a consortium that unites researchers, industry, and policymakers—a collaboration Līva strongly advocates for: “I’m a firm believer that policymakers, industry, and researchers need to work together to make something happen.”

RTU’s responsibilities in CompositeCircle are twofold. First, the institute coordinates the development of a comprehensive guidebook within Work Package 1, synthesizing methodologies, legislative insights, and technical solutions into a roadmap for circularity. Second, RTU contributes to fiber characterization research, supporting technical validation for reuse and recycling processes.

The project is still in its early stages, but Līva highlights key learnings: logistics and scale matter. “In the lab, everything works in small amounts, but financially you need large quantities,” she notes, emphasizing the importance of practical implementation beyond research.

Looking ahead, RTU envisions outcomes that extend beyond academic impact. The hope is for policy recommendations, business opportunities, and even new projects emerging from this collaboration. One promising area is co-processing in cement kilns, where improving the quality of composite dust could unlock sustainable pathways for large-scale reuse.

Challenges remain—industry conservatism and technical uncertainties—but RTU is optimistic. “Circularity ideas need to move quicker to the industry,” Līva asserts. With strong partnerships and a shared vision, CompositeCircle offers a platform to bridge gaps between research, regulation, and real-world application.

“Rather than living in a bubble, this project forces us to work together—and that’s where real change happens,” Līva concludes.

Programme Manual Online

Choose