To mark the Plastic Odyssey’s stopover in Bordeaux, the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Bordeaux-Talence highlighted the career of one of its alumni, Thibault Roudier, who is now a member of the ship’s crew. Combining technical expertise, environmental commitment, and human adventure, this event serves as a concrete illustration of the ability of Arts et Métiers engineers Arts et Métiers engage in projects with significant societal and environmental impact.
Plastic Odyssey: A Floating Laboratory Dedicated to Developing Practical Solutions
Moored at the main dock, facing the reflecting pool, the Plastic Odyssey opened its doors to campus staff and students during two tours organized in small groups. On board, visitors discovered much more than just a ship: a true floating demonstration vessel dedicated to the fight against plastic pollution.
Semi-industrial recycling machines, a prototyping workshop, a plastic-free laboratory, and objects created during various stops along the way make up a technical ecosystem designed to be replicable, accessible, and adaptable to local contexts, particularly in regions lacking large-scale waste treatment infrastructure.
“We work with machines that are accessible and easy to maintain anywhere in the world. The goal is to offer decentralized solutions, as opposed to large-scale European infrastructure,” explains Thibault Roudier.
Shredders, extruders, and presses are used to transform plastic waste into sheets, which are then processed like wood to produce furniture or useful objects. The team has also documented more than 90 designs for recycling machines, in order to adapt to the wide variety of plastics and contexts encountered around the world.
Beyond the technology, these visits provided valuable insight into the project’s philosophy: to experiment, document, and share. Discussions with the crew highlighted the human, logistical, and economic challenges of such an expedition, as well as the need to ground solutions in circular economy models tailored to local realities.
An Arts et Métiers engineer Arts et Métiers in the field of the circular economy
The presence of Thibault Roudier, a graduate of Arts et Métiers, gave these meetings special significance. As an onboard engineer specializing in recycling, he plays a key role within Plastic Odyssey.
“My role is to document, at each port of call, the most effective local initiatives in waste management and recycling, as well as to mentor selected entrepreneurs during intensive programs aboard the ship,” he explains.
This work has taken him to more than 200 industrial sites in over thirty countries, where he has helped develop concrete business projects using the tools and solutions he identified during his global tour. Among the most memorable stops, his visit to Dakar last January fully illustrates the project’s impact.
“We reconnected with our local team, Plastic Odyssey Factories, which had since launched a full-scale industrial operation. Today, the organization employs about 40 people and is supporting the rollout of decentralized recycling plants in several regions around the world, with a dozen already in operation.”
While the challenges are numerous, they often go beyond the purely technological aspect.
“The main challenge isn’t so much a technical one. In many countries, we first need to create value to encourage waste recovery. Solutions exist; the challenge is getting people to adopt them,” he emphasizes.
This experience is fully in line with his education at Arts et Métiers, which provided him with a solid foundation in engineering, innovation, and eco-design, as well as an essential capacity for adaptability and curiosity.
Inspire and expand the possibilities
Through his story, Thibault Roudier wanted to send a clear message to the students on campus.
“My path has been unconventional, and I’m well aware of that. I’m sharing this experience to show the breadth of possibilities and the importance of getting involved in projects that are meaningful and impactful. We need to open our minds to expand the realm of possibilities.”
These discussions sparked keen interest and numerous questions from students and staff, revealing a growing desire to find meaning in their career paths. By highlighting the commitment of its alumni and welcoming initiatives such as Plastic Odyssey, the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Bordeaux-Talence reaffirms its mission: to train engineers capable of innovating, taking action, and making a tangible commitment to addressing contemporary environmental and societal challenges.
