| CREER - Cluster Research, Excellence in Ecodesign & Recycling |
Origins of CREER
CREER stands for Cluster Research: Excellence in Ecodesign & Recycling
Founded in Spring 2007, CREER brings together today over eigthy actives members, which range from large corporations and SMEs to technical centres of excellence.
CREER’s first objective is to promote non-competitive research in ecodesign and recycling of products. Joint research efforts and field tests aim specifically at improving SME’s knowledge in ecodesign and recycling.
Close cooperation between industry, the scientific community and State organisations is building a knowledge base and tools for use by industry. This is done through an intelligent information platform, tools for the recycling chain and guidance on Life Cycle Analysis.
CREER is at the heart of an international network whose members include the Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Québec (CRIQ), the Technical University in Denmark and the Centre de Recherche Public Henri Tudor in Luxembourg.
Working by projects
Members join project-based clusters which are of interest to them . The creation of a given project is first validated by the board of directors, after each project members define their own objectives, select partners and arrange for financing.
Missions and objectives
- Define research programmes tailored to members’ needs. These programmes are then committed trusted to public and private research centers or external laboratories.
- Improve knowledge on ecodesign and build awareness with all actors, particularly SMEs.
- Work across borders by looking for cooperation with similar organisations.
- Share research from industry through collective projects and linking all actors.
- Monitor technological and regulatory activities and initiate discussions on them.
- Facilitate cooperation between industry and scientists.
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Provide a scientific base for a dialogue between industry, learning and research institutions, and State organisations at different levels.
Members
Today CREER involves about 40 members, SMEs as well as large industrial companies and technical centers. One must be a member of CREER to participate in any project. Membership is subject to acceptance by the steering committee whose members are the founders (Steelcase, ENSAM, Groupe SEB, CETIM, Veolia Environnement, Renault and Plastic Omnium).
Projects
Completed projects :
Three projects have been completed.
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The first aimed at identifying barriers (technical, sociological, economical) and opportunities to the use of secondary raw materials (recycled materials)
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The second was dedicated to the evaluation of existing methods for products recyclability, applicable to CREER member's products.
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The last was dedicated to develop a web tool to monitor advances in ecodesign. The tool searches new information from thousands of web sources daily. This platform updates users on technology, regulatory and trade developments.
Other projects :
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Development of a performance indicator for recyclability
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evaluation of the competitiveness of SMEs in eco-design
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Observatory of recycling ODEFIRE
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Thermosetting materials inventory
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
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Volatile organic compounds(COV) with focus on finished products emissions
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REACH (hazardous chemical substances) : network, exchange forums
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Eco-innovation : ecoASIT method
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The substitution of thermosetting composites in thermoplastic composites