Day: July 28, 2021

EIT Climate-KIC, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Digital, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility have created a Cross-Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) action aiming to strengthen the collaboration of their activities related to the circular economy.  A coordinated and efficient collaboration between the different KICs will help the EU achieve its Circular Economy Action Plan.   The initiative aims to establish discussions among the KICs to find ways to develop a joint offer around circular economy and improve coordination with the Commission on this issue. It will also strengthen collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, support the European Institute of Technology in discussions with the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission and facilitate the access to markets for innovative solutions developed in participating KICs. 

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has said that the country will develop new recycled material standards within its new circular economy strategy. Previously, China has said that it will permit imports that meet these standards. In the 14th Five Year Circular Economy Development Plan, it says it will develop new recycled material standards for waste steel, waste non-ferrous metals, waste plastics and waste paper. By 2025, China plans to use 60 million tonnes of waste paper per year in its industries, rising from 54.9 million tonnes in 2020. It also said that its printing and packaging industries will be required to use more recycled content.

The scrap recycling industry is the first link in the global manufacturing supply chain and is thus dependent upon both a healthy domestic manufacturing base and access to global markets. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) updated its policy position on free and fair trade, recognizing the support it provides to recyclable commodity market access development. Recyclable materials are sustainable commodities that have value and are sold in the global marketplace according to ISRI’s globally recognized specifications as a raw material that reduces the environmental impact of using virgin materials for manufacturing. More than 40 percent of global manufacturers’ raw materials needs are met by the ready supply of recycled commodities.

How to capitalize on the growing upcycled foods movement Make food from food waste. Food waste is a global problem as their leftovers remain in large quantities in almost all parts of the supply chain in agricultural and processing enterprises. Fruits and vegetables constitute the highest food waste. 45%-60% of fruits consist of waste — pulp, rind, cake left after pressing, kernels and seeds. Despite the food surplus, more than 820 million people worldwide are undernourished, and one in nine people on earth is hungry.

The Circular Revolution is described as being ‘the first business-led hub in the UK focused on circular thinking’. Designed in partnership with Swansea and Exeter Universities, the £2.3m centre is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh government, which will contribute over £1.5m. “It is a privilege to be afforded this opportunity to host the centre and drive circular thinking forward globally from Wales,” said Riversimple director Fiona Spowers. “While there is a lot of enthusiasm for the concept of circular business models, they are hard to adopt and embrace fully. With Circular Revolution’s pilot programme, we are uniquely positioned to trial, test and refine this research on a real small business in Wales, Riversimple.”