Michael Brunn

With the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Commission wants to make the economy more competitive again. The deal provides for a number of individual measures, including an "Action Plan for a Competitive and Low-Carbon Steel and Metals Industry". It was published in mid-March.

Construction, renovation and demolition waste accounts for about a third of the world's waste generation. Circular economy methods can significantly reduce waste and the associated environmental impact. Different countries use different methods to achieve this. The study "Review of national policy instruments motivating circular construction" conducted by Canadian scientists analyzed a number of instruments in 19 countries. The study was published in "Resources, Conservation & Recycling".

For some time now, Europe has been obliged to collect organic waste separately. However, this obligation is by no means implemented everywhere. The Life Biobest project has put forward proposals for the implementation of effective biowaste management in the EU.

Circular bioeconomies aim to make efficient use of biogenic resources, for example by utilising residual biomass. The availability of residual biomass varies regionally, and its use is also regionally limited. Accordingly, regions have to deal with different raw materials. Therefore, knowledge of the availability of residual biomass is crucial for regional planning of the bioeconomy. Scientists at TU Darmstadt and the University of Kassel have developed a new approach to quantify residual biomass. The article "The regional nature of circular bioeconomy: Comparing the availability of residual biomass at national, regional and city level" was published in "Resources, Conservation & Recycling".

A circular economy is also the future for the automotive industry. However, as the report "Recommendations for Action for the Development of a Circular Economy in the Automotive Industry" by the Expert Group on Transformation of the Automotive Industry shows, some prerequisites must first be created for this.

Creating a circular automotive sector requires more than just commitments; it demands a robust regulatory framework that promotes fair, transparent practices and ensures the uptake of recycled materials.

In EU practice, this is the first common framework for the use of recycled materials in the production of packaging that will demonstrate whether such an initiative can work in Europe and how effectively. However, it is, as yet, unclear how to verify regulatory compliance and impose penalties for non-compliance.

Climate protection is seen as economically irrelevant at best, and even as anti-business at worst. This may be true when it comes to fossil fuel industries. Basically, exactly the opposite is apparently the case. The Boston Consulting Group, as well as the Climatraces Lab and Judge Business School, have studied how climate change will affect the economy by the end of the century. Her report: "Too hot to think straight, too cold to panic: landing the economic case for climate action with decision makers" makes it clear: Without climate protection and adaptation measures, it will be very expensive.

Where is the recovered paper market headed? This question was the focus of the 27th Waste Paper Day in Bonn at the beginning of April. There was a great deal of interest in answers. More than 500 participants found their way to Bonn.

"Anyone interested in plastics recycling, whether from politics, science, academia, or active players like brand owners, converters, producers or recyclers, should come to this show, which is now firmly established as the largest in the world," says Ton Emans, Plastics Recyclers Europe President. "We have brought together leading experts in the two conference theatres and exhibitors with world-class innovations to improve the plastics recycling value chain."