Synthesizing Plastics: Helmholtz Expertise on Plastics Research and Policy Engagement (SPHERE)

The SPHERE project—"Synthesizing Plastics: Helmholtz Expertise on Plastics Research and Policy Engagement"—addresses the global challenge of plastic pollution by consolidating and advancing knowledge on the end-of-life management of plastics. As international efforts, like the Global Plastic Treaty, strive to combat plastic waste, SPHERE leverages the diverse expertise within Germany’s Helmholtz Association to support sustainable policy development for plastic degradation and recycling.

Current plastics research within the Helmholtz Association spans multiple projects and disciplines, focusing on the environmental impacts, degradation processes, and circularity of plastics. Efforts include the Microplastics Competence Cluster, which investigates the sources, distribution, and impacts of microplastics or FINEST, focusing on new circular technologies, for example. These and other initiatives are brought together by SPHERE to find synergies, align strategies, and enhance the overall impact of plastics research across the Helmholtz Earth & Environment Program and beyond.

By mapping and analyzing scientific research and policy documents, SPHERE identifies opportunities and barriers for more sustainable plastics governance. The project actively engages with stakeholders from policy, society, industry, and academia to bridge knowledge gaps and transform scientific insights into actionable knowledge. Through this comprehensive synthesis, SPHERE aims to support informed decision-making and contribute to environmental sustainability.

SPHERE will produce a synthesis of plastic research within the Helmholtz Earth & Environment Program, culminating in a synthesis report and a policy brief. These outputs are designed to inform and guide improvements in plastics’ end-of-life management and promote principles of circularity. By bundling insights across technological, societal, and environmental challenges, the project aims to create a knowledge base that supports collaboration, policy harmonization, and sustainable practices across national and international contexts.

General Assembly 2024

At the General Assembly of the Helmholtz Research Field Earth & Environment in Kiel, Prof. Nick Wierckx presented the project for the first time.

Open Info Meeting

On January 8, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:30 CET, an online Open Info Meeting about the SPHERE project took place. Everyone interested was warmly invited to participate.

Kick off Meeting in Berlin

On 24 January 2025, the kick-off meeting of SynCom SPHERE ‘Synthesizing Plastics: Helmholtz Expertise in Plastics Research and Policy Engagement’ took place in Berlin. This meeting marked the official launch of the project, which focuses on the synthesis of research expertise and policy engagement in the field of plastics. More than 20 participants from across the research centres of the ‘Earth and Environment’ research programme, SynCom managers and other experts in the field joined project leaders Paul Einhäupl (RIFS), Nick Wierckx (FZJ) and Anran Luo (UFZ) to intensively define the project's focus areas, discuss relevant stakeholders and the political framework for SPHERE. A successful start!

SPHERE Project Meeting: 13. May 2025 online

SPHERE Synthese Workshop: 3.-4. July in Jülich

SPHERE Stakeholder Workshop: 6. November in Berlin

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Nick Wierckx: n.wierckx@fz-juelich.de; Dr. Anran Luo: anran.luo@ufz.de;  Dr. Paul Einhäupl: paul.einhaeupl@rifs-potsdam.de

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