Project “A FRONTrunner approach to Systemic circular, Holistic & Inclusive solutions for a new Paradigm of territorial circular economy”, Horizon 2020 (European Green Deal call), grant agreement No 101037031, 1 November 2021 – 31 October 2025
Popular science summary
For decades the Lodzkie region relied on coal, while at the same time pioneering local circular economy initiatives since the early 2000s. The FRONTSH1P project brought these two identities together. Between 2021 and 2025, a consortium of 34 institutions from 9 countries, coordinated by K-Flex Polska, demonstrated four Circular Systemic Solutions (CSS) in the region, covering wood packaging, food and feed, water and nutrients, and plastic and rubber waste. The proposal received the maximum score from international evaluators and was one of only four projects selected for funding out of more than 90 submissions. With 11 Polish participants, FRONTSH1P was sometimes called “the most Polish European project”.
Project objective
The project aimed at a green and just transition of the Lodzkie region towards decarbonisation and territorial regeneration. The four CSS were brought to demonstration in an operational environment (TRL 7) and designed for transfer to other territories. Their replication was prepared for Campania (Italy), Sterea Ellada (Greece), the Norte region (Portugal) and Friesland (the Netherlands). The project also created regional circularity clusters linking local governments, companies, academia and civil society, and delivered a Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) for the Lodzkie region.
Project partners
The coordinator was K-Flex Polska. Poland was further represented by the Research and Innovation Centre Pro-Akademia, the OPUS Centre, Lodz University of Technology, the University of Lodz, the Lodzkie Region, the Lodz Metropolitan Area Association, the Bzura Inter-Municipal Union, the Parzeczew Municipality, KPMG Advisory, Sirmax Polska and Leda Polymer. International partners included Novamont, STAM, the Free University of Bolzano, the National Technical University of Athens, CERTH, LNEG, INL, CARTIF, CSIC, Circulair Friesland, EURADA and KTH.
Role of Lodz University of Technology
Lodz University of Technology acted as a scientific partner. The University's team was led by Prof. Krzysztof Jóźwik, Rector of Lodz University of Technology. The Institute of Turbomachinery team performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of injecting captured carbon dioxide into the production of thermal insulation materials, developed together with K-Flex within the plastic and rubber CSS. High-level CFD simulations were carried out by Krzysztof Sobczak, DSc, PhD, Assoc. Prof., and Piotr Reorowicz, PhD; Damian Obidowski, DSc, PhD, Assoc. Prof., was responsible for project promotion and the e-learning platform, and Grzegorz Liśkiewicz, DSc, PhD, Assoc. Prof., for cross-sector collaboration and the work of the regional circular economy cluster. Lodz University of Technology hosted both the opening meeting of the project (November 2021) and its closing meeting.
Expected impact
The demonstrated solutions turn waste streams into resources: packaging wood returns to circulation, food waste becomes feed and bio-based products, wastewater becomes a source of water and nutrients, and rubber and plastic waste is reprocessed. Implementation of these solutions was estimated to cut carbon dioxide emissions in the Lodzkie region by 2–3%. For residents this means a cleaner environment and new jobs in waste processing; for local governments, a ready regional policy tool (the CEAP); and for the research community, a template for transforming an industrial region, now transferred to further European territories.
Project funding
Total project value: EUR 18,948,033, including an EU contribution of EUR 16,112,118. The budget of Lodz University of Technology: EUR 501,426.