Pollutec 2023: more visitors, more innovation

The recent Pollutec trade show drew over 51 000 visitors. This is an increase of 11% compared to the last edition of the popular event.

A total of 2000 exhibitors showcased their sustainable innovations in Lyon earlier this month. No less than 200 of them were start-ups. The next issue of Recycling International will include a Pollutec 2023 trade show report.

These record numbers prove the 45th anniversary of Pollutec is a special occasion to look back on, according to event director Anne-Manuèle Hébert. She underlines how industry players across the value chain ‘mobilised’ to support sustainability. They realise the circular economy is more important than ever, Hébert argues.

Industry pioneers 

A dozen finalists hoped to claim the Pollutec Innovation Awards this year. The top 3 winners were MTB (lithium-ion battery recycling solution), Grims Energie (thermal storage), and Purenat (textile filter that prevents chemical pollutants). 

MTB engineer Guilheim Grimaud was proud to receive the accolade on behalf of his R&D team at Pollutec 2023. He explains that they built a pilot unit with a capacity of 1-4 tonnes per hour. His team is hard at work to optimise black mass recovery rates.

The system incorporates the innovative electrolyte evaporation system, co-developed with Revtech, as well as the Drycell Box. The latter improving the final sorting stage and was co-developed with Verkor, Mecaware, Grenoble and Lyon University.

The idea is to promote the battery solution to recyclers planning to build a ‘gigafactory’. Grimaud notes that the line eliminates the need for pre-grinding.

See you in Paris?

The next edition of Pollutec will take place in Paris on 26-27 November 2024.