The study “Growth, Competitiveness and Resilience” by BCG and BDI shows that the circular economy is a key lever for combining economic strength with sustainability.
Germany is almost entirely dependent on imports of critical raw materials for future technologies while also being one of the most material-intensive economies in the EU.
Through recycling and reuse, around 20 to 40 percent of strategic raw material imports could be replaced by 2045.
At the same time, the circular economy offers significant potential for climate protection: it could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cumulative costs of the energy transition by nearly €40 billion by 2045.