News & updates
Layman's report
As we work towards the goals set by us and the EU LIFE programme , we have written an article about all of our systems. This so called “Layman’s report” explains everything we’ve done over the last 5 years in much more detail than we could ever achieve on this website. You can read the article here.
Catchy Mini installed
Allseas’ smallest plastic catcher, Catchy Mini, was installed on 6 March 2023 and we subsequently started the test and optimalisation phase. The system is designed to collect plastic litter in the marina of Waddenhaven Terschelling, inspired on the basics of Catchy and Catchy 2, but scaled down so it can be emptied by hand. Its smaller size makes the system more user friendly and a good fit in areas of limited water flow where space is limited. Performance will be analysed for a scale-up to other locations.
Determine optimal locations in rivers for removing plastic litter
Allseas’ Catchy systems aim to help clean our oceans by developing systems to collect waste in rivers and waterways before it flows out to sea. The Catchy systems collect most litter when installed at locations where the flow of waste is highest.
To determine the distribution of litter in waterways and rivers, Allseas and Deltares worked on a model and guidelines to determine where the litter rises and tends to flow. The research article about this study can be found on the Deltares website.
"Catchy 2" on display during the World Port Days in Rotterdam
Come and see our latest water waste collection system, Catchy 2, in action during the “Wereldhavendagen” event in Rotterdam, Friday 2- Sunday 4 September.
Our River Plastics Removal team are showcasing their new system, under the Erasmus Bridge, at the Netherland’s largest annual maritime event.
Launched in May 2022, the system works 24-7 to intercept floating and submerged trash in the Nieuwe Maas and prevent it from flowing into the North Sea.
Wereldhavendagen is a great opportunity to visit Catchy 2 and the creative minds behind this innovative system.
The team will be present every day (10:00 to 18:00 hours) to explain to visitors how Allseas’ third waste collection system works and answer your questions.
For all the latest news from the River Plastics Removal team, follow Catchy on Instagram: catchy_plastic
Read more about our efforts to tackle plastic waste.
Minimising impact on the environment
As a leading contractor in the global offshore market, we are concerned about the future of our planet. Respect for the environment, underpinned by responsible and sustainable operations, are fundamental to the way we work.
We are committed to minimising impact on the environment, and to preserve waters, landscapes and precious resources. By applying a circular economy mindset to waste management and tackling the problem of waste in our rivers, we believe we can make a difference. Read more about our sustainability efforts.
Catchy on Instagram
Curious about our latest developments? You can follow the Catchy team on Instagram. Get to know more about our river waste collection systems and solutions. Follow us and help us to spread our mission of cleaning our oceans and rivers of plastic waste. 
River plastics removal team featured in scientific journal
Allseas’ River plastics removal team contributes in freshwater science journal, a section of the journal Frontiers in environmental science.
The article contains extensive information on vertical and horizontal plastic litter distribution in a bend of a tidal river.
Inauguration Catchy 2 in AD newspaper
The inauguration of Catchy 2 featured in the AD newspaper.
Read the article here: Plasticvanger aan het werk in de stad
Vlog on inauguration of Catchy 2
Watch the vlog on the inauguration of Catchy 2 under the Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam.
Catchy 2 officially inaugurated
Catchy 2, Allseas’ latest river waste collection system, was officially launched on Thursday 19 May. Installed under Rotterdam’s Erasmus Bridge, Catchy 2 collects plastics and other waste in the Nieuwe Maas before it can flow out into the North Sea. The system operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, collecting both floating and submerged waste and works entirely on tide and current.
Raising awareness
During the opening ceremony, soprano Isabella Scholte performed an aria on the quayside next to the system, which lured litter to Catchy 2 like a siren from Greek mythology. “Working every day at sea, we are committed to the effort to clean our oceans by developing systems to collect waste in rivers and waterways before it can spread to our oceans”, says Edward Heerema, President and CEO of Allseas at the ceremony. “With Catchy 2 at this central location in Rotterdam, we are raising awareness that reducing plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans require a collective approach if they are to succeed.”
The Rotterdam Vice Mayor for Sustainability Arno Bonte welcomes the new plastic catcher with open arms. “Rotterdam is committed to making the North Sea plastic-free, together with residents and businesses. That starts with using less plastic and preventing plastic from ending up in the water. The final link in the chain are plastic catchers like Catchy 2, which collect plastics in our rivers before it ends up in the sea.”
How Catchy 2 works
The system comprises three key components: two floating booms, a collection cage and a floating frame. The booms guide waste floating on and below the surface into the collection cage. The collection cage is held in place by the floating frame. When full, the cage is emptied and the waste recycled. Collected plastic is used for the production of concrete blocks for quay protection.
Collective approach
Efforts to clean our rivers and oceans require a collective approach if they are to succeed. The development and deployment of Catchy 2 has received funding from the EU’s LIFE programme under LIFE17 ENV/NL/000339 and made possible thanks to a financial contribution from the Municipality of Rotterdam and contributions from a group of valued partners. By raising awareness and increasing public involvement, we can actively contribute to the mission to rid our rivers and oceans of plastic pollution.
Watch a video of the inauguration of Catchy 2.
Catchy 2 installed
Catchy 2, the new system under the Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam, has been installed. The system is situated in the continuous flow of the Nieuwe Maas River, unlike Catchy that is designed for deployment in a harbour.
Catchy 2 is designed to collect plastic from the river in both ebb and flood with varying flow directions. Collected plastics remain in the system thanks to the clever non-return doors. The use of floaters allows adjustable mooring and provide the structural stability needed, but improve adaptability to different situations.
Catchy mini
During the summer of 2021, Waddenhaven Terschelling approached Allseas to develop a trash removal system, based on the Catchy system.
The conditions in a recreational harbour are vastly different from the industrial waterways where the previous systems were placed. Because of this, the whole system had to be scaled down. This opened up the opportunity to revisit the entire system, and to optimize certain aspects of it. Aside from its small size, which allows transport in a normal car trailer, Catchy Mini’s main feature is the way it is emptied. Due to its smaller size, it is possible to empty the cage by hand in one single move. By emptying more often in smaller batches, the volume of the cage becomes more efficient as well. The trash is put in another container at the rear, where it can dry out, again making it more convenient to manage the waste.
Catchy 2 almost installed
Now we are ready for the next step of our project with a third system. The next generation, Catchy 2 is already in its final fabrication phase! This time, we have designed a system to work in a flowing river. The challenge will be the high currents and amounts of biomass. We also gave the system an attractive look inspired by a whale and the building materials are more sustainable; the collection cage is made out of steel to allow long-life stability and strength, and the floaters are made from high density polyethylene and the whale shape plates are made from 100% recycled materials.
Allseas Fabrication at Heijningen and Allseas Enschede are involved in the production. The system will be emptied by Hebo and transported by Geocycle to Holcim, where it will be co-processed in the cement production. The system will be installed in March 2022 under the Erasmusbridge in the centre of Rotterdam. The Gemeente Rotterdam, Port of Rotterdam and many partners and sponsors are collaborating with Allseas for this project. We will keep you updated on the next steps, stay tuned!
Emptying of Catchy 2
Port of Rotterdam is contributing to our project by subsidising the emptying of the system. Catchy 2 will be emptied from the water with a crane ship. The system will be installed in March 2022 and stay under the Erasmus Bridge for at least a year. Geocycle, provider of industrial, agricultural and municipal waste management services will post-process the collected litter.
Catchy 2
We are ready for the next step of our project with the development of a third system. The next generation, Catchy 2 is already in its final design phase! This time, we have designed a system that is able to operate in a flowing river. The challenge will be the high currents and the large amounts of biomass. We gave the system an attractive new look inspired by a whale and the building materials are more sustainable; the collection cage will be made out of steel to allow long-life stability and strength, and the floaters will be made from recycled high density polyethylene.
Allseas Fabrication in Heijningen and the Allseas office in Enschede are involved in the production. We are also looking into efficient ways to empty the system, for which tests are ongoing. The system will be installed in March 2022 under the Erasmus Bridge in the centre of Rotterdam. The municipality of Rotterdam and Port of Rotterdam are both collaborating with Allseas for this project.
Catchy in Duurzame Scheepvaart magazine
Catchy featured in the Duurzame Scheepvaart magazine. Read the article here: Catchy – Duurzame scheepvaart MGZN
Catchy in Vakblad Afval
Catchy featured in Vakblad Afval magzine. Read the article here: Vakblad Afval!_De opmars van plastic afvalvangers