For the 21st legislative term, the BDI Circular Economy Initiative has published a position paper outlining key policy recommendations for strengthening Germany as a hub for circular industry. In connection with this, the Initiative’s Chairman and Managing Partner of the Kirchhoff Group, Dr. Johannes Kirchhoff, shares his views in a short interview. For him, a central priority over the next four years is unlocking new market opportunities through circular business models.

The digital transformation of production, products, and services is taking place worldwide. The positive synergy between digital technologies and data utilization, combined with the ongoing development of the circular economy, should not be viewed as merely an add-on to the circular economy, but rather as one of the key enablers for closing loops between and within the various stages of the value chain.

With its proposal for an End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, the European Commission aims to prepare the automotive sector for the circular economy. But how can this transformation be achieved? Here are our five “must-dos” for a successful End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation.

For years, the European Union (EU) has seen an increase in the absolute volume of packaging waste. In 2020, for example, approximately 79 million metric tons of packaging waste were generated, which corresponds to about 177 kg per capita. According to the Commission, without additional policy measures, there will be a further 19 percent increase by 2030. The goal is now to reverse this trend.

According to a study published by the German Economic Institute (IW) in May 2022, one quarter of Germany’s manufacturing sector already implements a single circular strategy. The study by Adriana Neligan and Sarah Fluchs (IW) shows that companies pursuing at least one circular strategy are more successful than their non-circular competitors. Taking LANXESS as an example, we look at how this works in practice.

The transformation of material cycles through the circular economy is gaining momentum across the globe. Steven Stone of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) explains why no country can achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, or the European Green Deal on its own, and why international cooperation is essential. The practical implementation of circularity is illustrated by the example of the German industrial company Aurubis.

For German industry, climate protection and the circular economy go hand in hand. As a result, opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are increasingly emerging across all sectors. Experts Philipp Schlüter of TRIMET, Herwart Wilms of REMONDIS, and Markus Steilemann of Covestro explain why it is important to closely examine value creation cycles for effective climate protection.

Access product information across the entire value chain with just a few clicks. Whether the European Commission’s plans for greater circularity will succeed depends on proper implementation—including in German industry. In conversation with Christine Bunte of BASF and Christian Dworak of BSH.