On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the EU Composites Advantage Unveiled conference was held at the House of the EU in Ljubljana. The high-level event focused on innovation and sustainability in the field of composite materials. Organized under the Horizon Europe “RECREATE” project and curated by the Circular Business Academy, the conference was part of the “Challenge Circularity” stream and brought together experts, industries, public institutions, and startups for a full day of dialogue on the circular economy's potential in the composites sector.
Within this international context, the RECREATE project, co-funded by the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme, took the stage. Despite sharing its name with the Horizon project, this RECREATE initiative has a distinct identity, focusing on the cross-border testing of a circular model for the collection, treatment, and reuse of fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) materials, aiming to reduce waste and produce new recycled products for public authorities and businesses.
Representing the Interreg partnership at the conference was Tiziana Perin from the Polo Tecnologico Alto Adriatico Andrea Galvani, who spoke during Pitching Session 3: Professional Tools and Equipment. Her presentation showcased the actions carried out within RECREATE: educational labs in schools, a pilot collection campaign in the Municipality of Spinea, and the creation of FRC recycled prototypes. Her talk clearly demonstrated that the green transition is not just a goal—it’s a process already underway, even at local level.
The conference explored key issues for the future of the sector: how to accelerate the uptake of circular solutions, which industrial tools are ready for use, and which policies can support this transition. Applications across mobility, energy, and construction were discussed, highlighting concrete case studies and ready-to-use innovations.
The participation of the Interreg RECREATE project gave visibility to best practices developed within the Italy–Slovenia programme area and connected them to the broader European strategy for circular industry.
