Energy-intensive industries are at the heart of European climate, environmental and industrial policy.

The expansion of electromobility is crucial for the decarbonisation of the transport sector.

A study conducted by FH Münster in cooperation with BRT HARTNER has examined the influence of different material infeed systems on fire safety in sorting plants for lightweight packaging from the Dual System Germany (DSD).

The European research and innovation project PACE has launched a flagship initiative to demonstrate the industrial-scale production of bio-based chemicals from potato juice.

Renewable energy accounted for 26.2% of the European Union's gross final energy consumption in 2025, according to provisional data from Eurostat.

In addition to the intended effects, measures to promote the circular economy can also have unintended effects that undermine political objectives or cause new conflicting goals.

According to Eurostat, environmental tax revenues in the EU amounted to 371.9 billion euros in 2024.

The Swiss research project "Circular Workwear" has investigated the potential of recycling workwear, which is often incinerated despite professional washing and systematic collec-tion. The final report of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts shows that closed textile cycles are mainly a system issue.

The economic potential of the circular economy has not yet been exploited. The EEA's report "Unlocking the circular economy: investment needs, barriers and enabling conditions" aims to show how this can be changed.

World crude steel production for the 70 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel) was 155.7 million tonnes (Mt) in June 2026, a 1.7% increase compared to June 2025.

Comstock Metals will recycle manufacturing byproducts from Illuminate USA's Ohio solar panel plant under a new zero-landfill service agreement.

In its report "Scaling circular business models in Europe", the European Environment Agency (EEA) makes it clear that the circular economy in Europe is structurally underdeveloped despite political support and increasing investment in Europe.

Avery Dennison's AD CleanFlake RFID tags have received RecyClass Technology Approval in Europe, confirming their compatibility with mechanical PET bottle recycling streams. The approval complements the product's existing APR Design Recognition in North America.

The rising demand for critical raw materials presents Europe with new challenges in supplying its industry. Consequently, in addition to new mining projects, previously underutilized sources are increasingly coming into focus.

From 19 July, large companies in the European Union will no longer be allowed to destroy unsold clothing, clothing accessories and shoes.

Industrial symbioses are considered the silver bullet of the circular economy. As soon as CO₂ balances come into play, ecological success quickly becomes a methodological problem.

The ETH-Soil project is supporting the development of sustainable fertiliser production in Ethiopia through the use of biochar-based fertilisers.

Thailand is expanding cooperation between government and industry to support its Thailand net zero 2050 target.

The decarbonization of the cement and concrete industry is increasingly being slowed down less by technological limits than by regulatory frameworks.

DEScycle has commissioned its first demonstration plant at the Wilton Centre in Teesside, marking the first industrial deployment of the company's distributed metals processing platform.