Cirplus AI: The backbone of recycled plastic procurement

Cirplus, Europe's largest AI-based procurement platform for recycled plastics is building the backbone for the sourcing of recycled plastics with their Supply Chain Agent Cirplus AI. The new solution combines AI agents, standardised compliance data and workflow automation to unlock scalability in a highly fragmented market. The result is a radically shorter path from material discovery to measurable business outcomes, enabling the faster, more transparent and efficient global sourcing of high-quality recycled plastics.

After years of developing data structures, driving digitisation and setting standards, Cirplus is now using AI to transform supply chains. With hundreds of polymer types and countless additive variations, sourcing the right recyclate for specific applications has been complex. The new Cirplus AI Supply Chain Agent addresses this by guiding procurement through three stages: assist, augment and automate. In the first stage, the AI provides material recommendations and faster approval cycles. The second stage strengthens decision-making with in-depth insights into market trends, connecting pricing, demand, supply, freight rates and testing data. Ultimately, the third stage will fully automate procurement, from enquiry to delivery, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and speed across global supply chains. 

Cirplus draws on data from over 2,500 material suppliers and tracks more than 230,000 tonnes of recycled plastic in 70 countries every month. This volume of data enables precise procurement decisions, minimises human error and allows for seamless scaling. It incorporates the latest standards for digitization and recyclates procurement based on EN 18065, including the first-of-its-kind Digital Product Passport for recycled plastics. 

Christian Schiller, Founder and CEO of Cirplus: "Since our founding, Cirplus has been driven by a clear mission: to close the loop for plastics using digital technologies at scale. Despite the currently tough market conditions for plastic circularity, we stay committed to help the industry succeed with implementing ever greater amounts of recyclates in the value chain. Implementing our new AI solution lays the groundwork for building more reliable supply chains in recyclates at scale, worldwide.”

EU regulations, such as the proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the existing End-of-Life Vehicles Directive, encourage industries to incorporate a minimum amount of recycled material, while negotiations on a global plastics treaty remain unresolved. Nonetheless, European demand for recyclates is expected to exceed supply by a factor of two to three by 2030. Cirplus AI enables companies to stay ahead of this impending shortfall by providing greater certainty, transparency and price stability in their sourcing.

Cirplus will be showcasing its solution at this year’s K-Messe in Düsseldorf at Booth 7a-B25 and, in cooperation with the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), at Booth 7a-D29.