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.
Digital technologies are a key driver of a functioning circular economy.
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.
The United States recovered at least 5.1 billion pounds of post-consumer plastic for recycling in 2024.
The ETH-Soil project is supporting the development of sustainable fertiliser production in Ethiopia through the use of biochar-based fertilisers.
RecyClass has completed more than 500 RecyClass recyclability tests for plastic packaging features in line with its science-based evaluation protocols.
The Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 will take place on 17 and 18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany, with the option to participate online.
The Renewable Materials Conference 2026 will take place from 22 to 24 September 2026 in Siegburg near Cologne, Germany, with additional online participation available.
The European Commission has presented an action plan for the electrification of Europe as well as proposals for the revision of the European emissions trading system.
From 19 July, large companies in the European Union will no longer be allowed to destroy unsold clothing, clothing accessories and shoes.
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.
Renewable carbon is considered a key to freeing the plastics and chemical industries from fossil raw materials. At the same time, it forms an important basis for the future of the recycling industry. Current EU regulations set hurdles for bio-based raw materials, for the use of CO₂ and for new recycling methods. The Renewable Carbon Initiative's analysis "Policy barriers for renewable carbon uptake" shows where regulatory regulations are slowing down investment.
Incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries are creating an increasing fire risk for Europe's waste management and recycling sector.
Europe is looking for ways to break away from fossil dependency. In doing so, the continent overlooks a domestic raw material: waste. Waste containing plastic and biomass contains a lot of carbon. Industry urgently needs this element in order to produce without climate-damaging substances.
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 transition towards a circular economy is accelerating the development of recycling technologies capable of recovering materials that remain outside conventional mechanical recycling schemes.
Incorrect waste separation is a major obstacle to high-quality recycling in Europe. With the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, the EU is striving for uniform symbols for the first time.
The Endfouling project is investigating how organic waste generated in ports can be converted into bio-based additives that help prevent marine biofouling on ships and other submerged structures.
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.
