about core
Why do we do it?


At CORE, our journey is fueled by a profound sense of purpose and unwavering commitment. We believe in a world where waste is not merely discarded but considered an opportunity—an opportunity for innovation, education, and engineering that transforms environmental challenges into sustainable solutions.
Our dedication to pioneering sustainable waste solutions is grounded in the urgent need to address pressing global issues. The detrimental impact of unchecked waste on our planet demands innovative thinking and proactive action. We are driven by the belief that change begins with us, and the solutions we create today will shape a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.
For us, it's not just about the projects; it's about the positive change we can drive together with our community of innovators, educators, and engineers. We embrace every challenge, collaborate relentlessly, and remain steadfast in our mission to leave a lasting, positive imprint on our world. Join us on this transformative journey, and together, we can redefine waste management and build a cleaner, more eco-friendly future.
2015
THE NEXT GENERATION

2019
CORE CHANGEMAKERS

2006-2011
THE FIRST GENERATION

2018
IVER B.V.

2020
CORE FOURNOS

CORE's history
In 2015, CORE's founder, Dirk, took a significant step by designing a pioneering waste management factory as his high school project, laying the groundwork for CORE's practical applications.
The journey began as the Instituut Voor Elementaire Retractie, driven by the vision to tackle the challenges posed by industrial waste streams that were often discarded without consideration for sustainability.
Building on the foundation, Dirk and his father, Gabby, co-founded IVER B.V., marking the birth of an industrial application of CORE's innovative waste management technologies.
This year saw the establishment of CORE as a student team, aiming not only to win the TU/e contest but to grow and achieve further success in the field of waste management.
In 2020, CORE unveiled CORE Fournos, a one-of-a-kind test oven that expanded the technological possibilities and potential applications of CORE's innovations.
2021
ZERO AGE PROJECT

The launch of the ZERO AGE cluster marked a crucial milestone, dedicated to educating the next generation about responsible waste collection and its broader societal impacts. The cluster also provided real-world challenges to young engineers.
CORE introduced its second installation, CORE Titan, a battery shredder designed to prevent battery fires. It earned prestigious recognition by winning the Rabobank award for the most sustainable innovation in 2022.
2022
CORE MAGMA

Inspired by the pressing need for early battery detection in waste recycling, CORE initiated the development of TEMNOS—an AI-based sorting system designed to identify batteries within waste streams, a critical step in responsible waste management.
2022
HELIOS PROJECT

CORE's reach expanded further in 2023 as it officially became a learning environment, welcoming members not only from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) but also from AVANS, SUMMA, Tilburg University, and Fontys.
2022
CORE TITAN

Continuing its trajectory of innovation, CORE unveiled CORE Magma, an innovative oven designed to transform fly-ash into basalt tiles—a process that, while technical, contributes to sustainability in a beautiful way.
2022
CORE TEMNOS

CORE embarked on the HELIOS project, dedicated to improving the recycling of valuable and highly pure materials from solar panels. This initiative aimed to rectify the inefficiencies in current panel processing methods, contributing to a more sustainable future.
2023
OFFICIAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT


2023
HYPERIOS
The year 2023 marked the inception of the HYPERIOS project, featuring SPOT—an autonomous railway inspection robot. This project showcased CORE's commitment to continuous innovation in waste management and beyond, focusing on real-world problem-solving.