According to the European Environmental Agency, “With a circularity rate of 11.8% in 2023, Europe consumes a higher proportion of recycled materials than other world regions, although improvements have been limited in recent years”. Considering the importance of circular economy and the fact that there is much untapped potential, companies need all the support they can get to reach 2030 EU Climate Plan targets and make a positive impact in the battle against climate change.
To help companies focus on actions rather than administrative burdens, REUSE2030’s Zero Carbon Tool, a customized Life-Cycle Assessment tool will be customized for mechanical industries and will ease ESG reporting. We also focus on effective actions: the Digital Circular Inventory will offer solutions and knowledge for specific types of production waste and related circular economy solutions.
We are also focusing on how to reach our stakeholders and how to broaden our networks ensuring mechanical companies are aware of the benefits brought by REUSE2030. This is done not only to promote our project, but to exchange experience with companies in the mechanical sector. Below we are introducing some of the networking examples from REUSE2030 Partners form Italy, Hungary, Poland, Czechia, Croatia and Austria.
- The Circular Economy Network, Italy
In Italy, The Circular Economy Network (CEN-Italy) hosted a webinar on February 13th, 2025, focusing on ecodesign and its role in the transition to a circular economy. The Circular Economy Network is the Italian network created with the aim of supporting the transition to a new production model that is more attentive to the environment and to the use of resources.
The webinar highlighted the upcoming EU Ecodesign Regulation, expected to shape industry standards starting in April: Ecodesign reduces reliance on critical raw material imports, enhances resilience, and lowers production costs. In addition to this Ecodesign promotes sustainable product design, material traceability, and reverse logistics. By 2030, the regulation could cut energy costs by €162 billion, boost revenue by €23 billion, and create 252,000 jobs. However, SMEs face regulatory challenges requiring education and adaptation.
- Sustainability Club, Hungary
Offering learning and networking opportunities, the 3rd meeting of their Sustainability Club was organized on the 20th of March, 2025 by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya in South Transdanubia, Hungary. The Club launched on the 7th of November 2024 and is supported by the Enterprise Europe Network. A committed group of companies, consultancies, NGOs are discussing voted upon topics related to sustainability. It is understood that only by altering their strategy and actively pursuing sustainability can businesses improve their effects on the environment. A business can significantly outperform its rivals in the market if it adopts ESG regulations in time. From the perspective of the operation of a business, ESG reporting might not be particularly high on the list of drivers in advance circularity, but it is an important tool in shifting the focus to sustainability. Focusing mostly on ESG during the third meeting, practical applications and experiences were discussed. Although ESG itself is already an opportunity to initiate change, the administrative challenge it poses and the lack of experience brings together companies, stakeholders, NGOs to form new partnerships, discuss good practices and in the meantime – push towards changing old habits and making their businesses more sustainable.
- “Prepare for the Challenges and Opportunities of Sustainable Business”, Poland
Similarly, in Poland, a dedicated ESG-focused event, “Prepare for the Challenges and Opportunities of Sustainable Business” took place on December 12, 2024, at Bionanopark in Łódź. The event explored the implementation of ESG regulations and their impact on business strategies, emphasizing compliance with European and national legal requirements. Experts presented ESG reporting obligations, financial mechanisms supporting sustainable transformation, and risks associated with non-compliance, such as loss of competitiveness, reputational damage, and potential sanctions. The event, co-organised by the Research and Innovation Centre Pro-Akademia, was attended by representatives of the Bioenergy for the Region Cluster, business owners, sustainability experts, auditors, and others interested in ESG implementation and reporting. Participation was free and available both on-site and online.
- #SMEnergy, Czechia
DEX IC hosted #SMEnergy CONNECT in Liberec, Czechia, a hybrid event aimed at helping SMEs transition to sustainable energy solutions. The event featured speakers from various industries, including local energy agencies, crowdfunding platforms, and energy efficiency improvements. The event highlighted the importance of green, efficient, and innovative solutions for SMEs. The discussions and presentations made it clear: the future of SMEs is green, efficient, and powered by innovation.
- REUSE2030 presentation, Croatia @ Chamber of Commerce
Presentation of the REUSE2030 at Croatia Chamber of Commerce Split office, has been done during the 2nd joint meeting of the Professional Group for the Metal Processing Industry and the Professional Group of Small Vessels Shipbuilders, organized by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce – Split Office (November 11th 2024). Members of the REUSE2030 Project had the opportunity to present the planned activities of the project and to initiate discussion on sustainability and circular economy initiatives in the county.
The aim of the presentation was to highlight open call for mechanical companies to join the REUSE2030 database and actively participate in the project activities. Small-vessel shipbuilding is a vital industry for Split – Dalmatia county, and we are committed to including as many of these companies as possible in this European project.
- Green Tech Valley Summit, Austria
In Austria, the Green Tech Valley Summit, which took place on the 25th of April, 2024, in Styria, brought together leading experts from business, academia, and politics to discuss the latest advancements in sustainability. The 2024 edition of the summit focused on key topics such as climate protection, circular economy, and green technologies, highlighting how innovation can drive sustainable transformation and create economic opportunities. Companies, start-ups, and research institutions presented groundbreaking solutions, while discussions centered around the implementation of ESG strategies, regulatory requirements, and new market opportunities through sustainable business models. Best practices and successful transformation projects demonstrated how businesses can enhance their competitiveness by embracing sustainability.
The event was organized by the Green Tech Cluster, a key platform within Green Tech Valley that connects companies and research institutions in Styria. The cluster promotes innovation in renewable energy, resource efficiency, and sustainable technologies, supporting businesses in developing future-proof solutions. The Green Tech Valley Summit serves as an annual catalyst for sustainable innovation, reinforcing Styria’s reputation as a globally recognized hub for green technologies.
Link to: Green Tech Valley
Sustainability efforts, 2030 EU Climate Plan, ESG are strongly intertwined towards the same goal. Circular economy solutions are practical steps to reach these objectives and should be seriously considered – REUSE2030 is here to help with navigating through a wide range of technologies in the mechanical sector with real-worlds examples. Local networks are also very important, they provide a credible source of information and significant learning potential. Considering that the potential for circular economy is relevant in the whole EU, these local networks should be opening towards other regions. REUSE2030 will support that too! Transnational meetings will be organized later in 2025 and will connect mechanical companies from all over Central Europe.
The diversity of topics and meetings highlight the fact how complex circular economy is and how this overarching topic has many different branches. We will introduce some of the projects the partnership have been working on in our next article.
For further information, follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/reuse2030