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e48952f0-832e-4643-901f-a027c8fb3d90 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: AMBERCYCLE WEBSITE: AMBERCYCLE.COM SECTOR : TEXTILES PUBLISHED: 02 DECEMBER 2025 TAGS: TEXTILERECYCLING, SUSTAINABLEFASHION, POLYESTER, MOLECULARRECYCLING, CHEMICALRECYCLING, REGENERATEDFIBRES, WASTE-TO-RESOURCE The Challenge Each year, about 92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced worldwide ( UNEP, 2025 ). Every second, the equivalent of a full garbage truck of textiles is either landfilled or burned, with as much as 85% ending up in landfill rather than being reused or recycled ( UNRIC, 2024 ). Less than half of used garments are collected for reuse or recycling, and of those, only around 1% are recycled into new clothing items ( European Parliament 2025 ). The global fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of total carbon emissions - more than the emissions from both aviation and shipping combined ( World Economic Forum 2020 ). In 2023, apparel sector emissions grew by 7.5% to 944 million tonnes. The increase in emissions from the sector is largely driven by higher production fuelled by ultra-fast fashion trends and a rising dependence on virgin polyester ( Apparel Impact Institute 2025 ). Polyester, a synthetic fibre introduced in the 1940s, is derived from fossil fuels and currently accounts for 57% of global fibre production. ( Apparel Impact Institute 2025 ). Polyester's widespread use has led to serious environmental impacts, including persistent pollution from microplastic fibres, which shed during washing and accumulate in oceans and ecosystems. This reliance on a petroleum-based material underscores the urgent need for sustainable alternatives in textile manufacturing ( UNRIC, 2024 ). A Circular Solution Ambercycle is a company that transforms textile waste into high-quality regenerated polyester using advanced molecular regeneration technology ( Ambercycle, 2025 ). Their flagship product, Cycora, is a regenerated polyester yarn and fabric created from post-consumer and post-industrial textile waste ( Cycora 2025 ). Using chemistry to break down mixed fibres at the molecular level, Ambercycle extracts and purifies polyester to create new materials that match or exceed the quality and performance of virgin polyester. This innovative process allows repeated recycling without degradation in quality, significantly reducing dependency on virgin fossil-fuel-based polyester and lowering carbon emissions linked to textile production ( Ambercycle, 2025 ). By partnering with leading brands like REI, GANNI, and Arc’teryx, Ambercycle is scaling Cycora to promote circularity and sustainability in the fashion industry ( Ambercycle, 2025 ). Ambercycle’s technology starts by shredding used textiles, separating polyester from other fibres such as cotton, nylon, and spandex ( Lampoon Magazine, 2025 ). The polyester is then liquefied, purified to remove dyes and additives, and solidified into pellets that can be spun into new yarns ( Ambercycle, 2025 ). This process operates at relatively low temperatures, contributing to a reduction in CO 2 emissions. According to Ambercycle, Cycora offsets nearly half the carbon dioxide emissions of virgin polyester production ( Ambercycle, 2025 ). Independent testing by the European Center for Innovative Textiles (CETI) shows Cycora meets the standards of virgin polyester, making it a commercially viable and environmentally friendlier alternative ( Ambercycle, 2025 ). Adoption of Ambercycle’s technology across the apparel sector could reduce global emissions by over 15%, exemplifying a practical path to textile circularity and decarbonization ( Ambercycle, 2025 ). Climate Impact Production of Cycora results in half the greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional polyester, offering a major reduction in climate impact production ( Ambercycle, 2025 ). Each tonne of fabric recycled through this process is a tonne diverted from landfill - a critical intervention to address the 92 million tonnes of textile waste created annually. Because Cycora retains the quality needed for reuse, it supports resource efficiency and extends the usable lifespan of textile materials. Brand partnerships are helping Cycora scale up and demonstrate real-world impact. For example, Inditex (the parent company of Zara) has agreed to purchase over €70 million worth of Cycora material, supporting its 2030 target to use exclusively sustainable textile inputs across all products. Large-scale commitments from market leaders like Inditex signal an industry shift towards circular solutions and highlight the practical viability of advanced textile recycling technologies. Replicability Cycora is part of a broader trend where technology companies are transforming textile waste into new, high-quality materials. Worn Again Technologies recycles textiles into raw materials by isolating and purifying cellulose and polyester, which are then spun into new fibres. Renewcell's Circulose process recycles cotton textiles into biodegradable pulp, which can be remanufactured into fibres for the fashion industry. Evrnu’s NuCycl technology turns used textiles into high-performance fibres by breaking down and regenerating textile polymers. These innovations are making textile-to-textile recycling increasingly replicable and scalable, encouraging adoption across the industry. ALL CASE STUDIES

27th Nov, 2025 All-Island Circular Venture Awards 2025 Celebrating Innovation. Accelerating Circular Impact. ABOUT THE AWARDS WINNER & FINALISTS PRIZES JUDGES AGENDA VENUE, DATE, TIME ABOUT THE AWARDS The AlI-Island Circular Venture Awards will spotlight start-ups and ventures across the island of Ireland who are pioneering the emergence of the circular economy sector by enabling or demonstrating a circular value proposition. The awards are a great opportunity for late-stage start-ups driving innovation in the circular economy, and a platform to shine a light on high-potential ventures reshaping how materials, components and products are used, reused, remanufactured and regenerated. CIRCULÉIRE is delighted to announce its inaugural All-Island Circular Venture Awards, a prestigious new initiative designed and led by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and funded by the Department of Climate, Energy & the Environment (DCEE). READ THE AWARDS GUIDELINES & CRITERIA 2025 WINNER HaPPE Earth, the WINNER of the inaugural All-Island Circular Venture Awards embodies circular innovation, circular excellence, execution strength, commercial viability and system level impact with the persevering and pioneering vision of never giving up. Lisa O'Riordan Chief Operating Officer, HaPPE Earth 1st Finalist Gemell Technology, the 1st finalist is a venture that is pioneering digital technologies to leverage advanced tech to make it easy for actors and supply chains to reduce waste. It is imminently scalable not only in Ireland but further afield. Co-Founder & CEO, Gemell Technology Limited Adam Hankin 2nd Finalist Ecoroots, the second finalist is a venture with a holistic circularity story and significant IP potential which can enable scalability. They are not only figuring out how to do this in their own right, but also enabling other actors in their value and supply chain to valorise production residues. Ecoroots fundamentally exemplifies the systemic level of change required to bring the circular economy to life. Founder & CEO, Ecoroots Lavanya Bhandari CIRCULAR TROPHY FABRICATION GALLERY PRIZES €5.000 + Coaching Session + CIRCULÉIRE Case Study €3.000 + Coaching Session + CIRCULÉIRE Case Study €2.000 + Coaching Session + CIRCULÉIRE Case Study SHORTLISTED VENTURES The ten shortlisted ventures pitching to an audience of investors, industry, policy makers, and media at the first All-Island Circular Venture Awards will include Arcology System, Biographene Innovations Ireland, BladeBridge, Circular Food Co, Ecoroots, HaPPE Earth, Gemell Technology Limited, Harp Renewable, Integrated Materials Solutions and Kinset Limited. The selected ventures represent an extremely broad range of sectors including commercial fitout infrastructure, construction waste management, compostable PPE, biobased production and packaging solutions; repurposed wind energy infrastructure; digital enablement of circular processes; aerobic digestion; additional manufacturing for textiles; and upcycling of food residuals. READ ON FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE COMPANIES: Arcology System enables adaptive, circular, and waste-free interiors through a modular, sensor-enabled construction system. BladeBridge repurposes retired wind turbine blades into durable infrastructure. Ecoroots transforms agricultural waste into compostable mycelium packaging powered by a data-driven platform for scalable, zero-waste biomanufacturing. HaPPE Earth makes single-use PPE into a circular solution, replacing plastics with compostable materials, converting waste into fertiliser, and delivering ESG insights cutting costs, carbon, and complexity. Integrated Materials Solutions (IMS) accepts C&D wastes and processes them into certified low carbon secondary aggregates for reuse in the construction industry. Bio Graphene Innovations Ireland transforms agricultural waste into bio-graphene materials that decarbonise concrete, enabling seawater use, and establishing a scalable circular manufacturing model for Europe. Circular Food Co recovers food waste to turn into high value ingredients. Gemell Technology Limited reduces unnecessary textile waste through data-driven 3D visualisation and analytics. Harp Renewables supplies advanced, fully circular food waste solutions for all industries. Kinset connects supply chain, material, and lifecycle data in one trusted system, making it simple for brands to demonstrate transparency, enable reuse and recycling, and engage consumers through interactive digital experiences. REPRESENTATIVES: VIEW BIO Arcology System develops modular, sensor-enabled interior construction systems for circular, adaptive interiors. Backed by EU innovation grants and live UNECE pilots, it replaces fixed fitouts with reconfigurable components that retain material and financial value, unlocking new revenue and waste-free operation for landlords and developers. Colette van Jaarsveld Co-Founder & CEO, Arcology System VIEW BIO BladeBridge repurposes decommissioned wind-turbine blades into durable, low-carbon infrastructure such as pedestrian bridges, shelters, and street furniture. By repurposing composite waste into certified products for public spaces, BladeBridge diverts tonnes of material from landfill, reduces embodied carbon, and demonstrates circular innovation in Ireland’s renewable energy and construction sectors. CEO, BladeBridge Dr Angie Nagle VIEW BIO Ecoroots is a deep-tech circular venture that turns local waste streams into high-performance mycelium packaging. A proprietary digital platform ensures consistency, accelerates growth, and enables scalable, modular production. By combining biotechnology with real-time data and AI, Ecoroots deliver fully compostable materials with traceability, quality control, and global licensing potential. Founder & CEO, Ecoroots Lavanya Bhandari VIEW BIO HaPPE Earth is reimagining the future of single-use PPE with the world’s first fully compostable, circular system for PPE. Through proprietary bio-based materials, on-site bio-digestion, and smart ESG data tools, we help hospitals, food, and pharma sectors eliminate plastic waste and emissions while building cleaner, more sustainable operations that protect people and the planet. Co-Founder & CEO, HaPPE Earth Dr Mary O'Riordan VIEW BIO Bio Graphene Innovations Ireland (BGII) is an Irish clean-tech venture developing Biocene, a bio-graphene produced from agricultural waste. In partnership with MEP World Group (USA), BGII’s first product, SeaMix, strengthens concrete, reduces cement dependency, and allows seawater use –driving Ireland’s transition to low-carbon, circular construction and advanced manufacturing. Co-Founder, Bio Graphene Innovations Ireland Ltd Barry O’Flanagan VIEW BIO Circular Food Co (CFCO) applies circular economy principles —reuse, regenerative design, and system innovation— to transform food waste into high-value products. The company collects surplus produce from manufacturers and farms, converting it into nutritious upcycled foods through closed-loop processing. Unlike traditional “take-make-dispose” models, CFCO integrates waste valorisation and local resource cycling across all operations. Co-Founder & Head of Operations, Circular Food Co (CFCO) Niamh Dooley VIEW BIO Gemell is transforming textile manufacturing with software that generates photorealistic digital twins of fiber, yarns & fabrics, entirely from data. No samples, no scanning, no waste. The solution helps mills cut unnecessary sample waste by 70%, accelerate design workflows & approvals, and deliver lifelike digital fabrics directly into designers’ hands. Co-Founder & CEO, Gemell Technology Limited Adam Hankin VIEW BIO With over 20 years of global waste management expertise, Harp Renewables designs, develops, and manufactures fully circular solutions for organic waste treatment, providing a cleaner alternative to traditional disposal. Combining innovative technologies and a commitment to reshape waste management, we deliver cost-reducing, eco-friendly, and custom-tailored products for businesses of all sizes. Senior Sales Manager, Harp Renewables Gerry Mc Donnell VIEW BIO Integrated Materials Solutions (IMS) is an environmental company based in north Co. Dublin working at the forefront of sustainable C&D waste management since 2017. To date IMS have diverted over 500,000 tonnes of waste concrete and soils from landfill by producing high quality aggregates and sands through start of the art processing. Trucks arrive containing waste and leave full of secondary aggregates, closing the loop on Ireland’s construction materials. Managing Director, Integrated Materials Solutions (IMS) Cian O’Hora VIEW BIO Kinset is a Dublin-based green-tech platform enabling circularity across the consumer goods sector. By digitising product data and creating Digital Product Passports, Kinset connects supply chain, material, and lifecycle information, making it simple for businesses to measure impact, meet regulations, and engage consumers through trusted product transparency. CEO & Co-Founder, Kinset Limited Katelyn O’Riordan JUDGES VIEW BIO Geraldine is a strategic circular economy expert, systems thinker and senior sustainability leader with +15 years multi-sectoral experience working horizontally and laterally in industry applied research, consulting, advertising, and communications. She has a track record of building collaborative public-private partnerships to deliver the circular economy’s transformation potential. Geraldine holds a PhD in Strategic Management & Sustainable Development and MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London and is a nationally and internationally recognized thought leader on scaling industry-oriented circular innovation. Geraldine Brennan Director of Circular Economy Innovation - IMR/ CIRCULÉIRE VIEW BIO Jamie is a Partner at Regeneration.VC, leading early-stage circular and regenerative technology investments globally. He has completed 50+ climate investments across the UK and US, co-founded two tech startups including Tropic Biosciences, and previously worked with Founders Forum, Sky, and B Capital. UCLA Anderson graduate; former global PE lawyer. Partner - Regeneration.VC Jamie Rowles VIEW BIO Mark is a prominent industrialist with a career in international business development for leading manufacturers in Northern Ireland. Today he is Joint Chief Executive of Makers Alliance, an industry-led body guiding the strategic vision for advanced manufacturing in Northern Ireland. Mark is a former President of the NI Chamber of Commerce, served 8 years on the board of Invest NI, and was recognised in 2015 with the award of an OBE for services to the economy. Joint Chief Executive Officer - Makers Alliance Mark Nodder VIEW BIO Founder & General Partner of WakeUp Capital, Faye backs visionary European founders tackling climate and social challenges. A former social entrepreneur and angel investor, she champions inclusive innovation, impact investing, and diversity. She serves on multiple boards and leads philanthropic initiatives. Based in Dublin, she holds a BA and MBA. Founder & Managing Partner - WakeUp Capital Faye Walsh Drouillard MEDIA & NEWS Media - Click to share the message Loop motif generated with the support of AI. News All-Island Circular Venture Awards to support circular economy in Ireland READ MORE IRISH TECH NEWS, 27 OCT 2025 Meet the Judges: All-Island Circular Venture Awards 2025 READ MORE CIRCULÉIRE NEWS, 22 OCT 2025 New start-up award aims to boost Ireland’s circular innovation READ MORE INDUSTRIAL PC, 20 OCT 2025 New start-up award aims to boost Ireland’s circular innovation READ MORE SILICON REPUBLIC, 20 OCT 2025 Apply for the first All-Island Circular Venture Awards READ MORE NIBUSINESSINFO.CO.UK, 17 OCT 2025 STRATEGIC PARTNERS & SUPPORTER Partners Supporter What All-Island Circular Venture Awards 2025 When 27th Nov 2025, 2:00 PM - 6:30 PM Where ESB Head Office (F27), Event Space, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin, D02 KT92

627efed7-ef6a-4a14-ba3c-f06944ff4f80 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: ASBETER WEBSITE: ASBETER.COM SECTOR : BUILT ENVIRONMENT PUBLISHED: 26 NOVEMBER 2025 TAGS: CIRCULARECONOMY, ASBESTOS, SUSTAINABLECONSTRUCTION, HAZARDOUSWASTE, CIRCULARMANUFACTURING, BUILTENVIRONMENT, GREENBUILDING, WASTEMANAGEMENT, CLEANTECH, INNOVATION, CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALRECOVERY The Challenge Asbestos-cement products are one of the most persistent legacy hazards in the built environment, combining high health risks with difficult end‑of‑life management. Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibres formerly prized for their durability and heat resistance. Throughout the twentieth century, these qualities led to the widespread use of asbestos in building materials for the likes of roofing, cladding, and pipes. ( World Health Organization, 2024 ). Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres causes fatal diseases, including lung and larynx cancer and mesothelioma, leading to over 200,000 deaths annually worldwide ( World Health Organization, 2024 ). Despite bans in many countries, global asbestos mining continues, with around 1.3 million tonnes produced in 2023 ( UNEP, 2024 ). Many countries still rely on landfilling asbestos-containing materials, which locks future liability into the ground and occupies scarce disposal capacity. Asbestos-cement products remain a persistent legacy issue in Ireland’s built environment, where many pre-2000 buildings still contain asbestos materials posing serious public health risks ( Health and Safety Authority, 2017 ). Despite being banned since 2004, asbestos fibres continue to threaten workers and residents during refurbishment or demolition activities unless tightly controlled ( OHSS, 2025 ). Ireland’s asbestos waste is classified as hazardous and requires special handling and disposal at EPA-licensed facilities. However, domestic landfill capacity for asbestos is limited, often requiring export or transfer to facilities overseas ( EPA, 2021 ). Ireland is currently preparing for the EU Asbestos Directive’s implementation in Dec 2025, which will further strengthen exposure limits, monitoring, and training requirements to improve worker safety ( EHS International, 2025 ) A Circular Solution Founded in 2018 in the Netherlands, Asbeter developed its AC Minerals process and commercialized it in 2022 to safely treat asbestos cement by alkaline dissolution ( Asbeter, 2024 ). The AC Minerals process involves breaking down asbestos cement waste by shredding and milling it into small fragments inside a sealed environment with water. The resulting slurry is then heated below 100C which creates a chemical reaction in which the asbestos fibres chemically transform until they are completely neutralized and no longer pose a hazard ( BBC Future, 2024 ). The process recovers valuable raw materials such as calcium silicate and calcium carbonate from the treated waste, which can then be reused in industries like cement and concrete manufacturing. This innovative technique aims to safely and effectively transform hazardous asbestos waste into reusable materials, addressing a major challenge in global asbestos disposal ( Asbeter, 2025 ). This approach offers a promising alternative to hazardous asbestos landfill, enabling recycling into circular construction inputs, reducing landfill reliance and health risks. Climate Impact Asbeter was issued an end-of-waste certificate by the Dutch Environment Agency ( DCMR, 2023 ) and the independent testing agency, Det Norske Veritas, also issued a verification statement confirming that their process completely dissolves asbestos fibres from asbestos-containing materials, resulting in an asbestos-free residue ( DNV, 2023 ). Asbeter plans to build a plant capable of processing 25,000 tonnes a year, growing to 75,000 tonnes a year ( BBC Future, 2024 ). By safely neutralizing asbestos fibres and producing a non-hazardous residue, the AC Minerals process eliminates the need for hazardous asbestos waste landfilling. If implemented in Ireland, a similar solution could significantly reduce the environmental risks associated with asbestos disposal while keeping valuable mineral materials in circulation. Moreover, by making the waste safe, it could substantially lower the high shipping and remediation costs currently required to transport hazardous asbestos waste off-island for disposal, leading to economic and environmental benefits through more local processing and circular reuse. Replicability The green building materials market was valued at USD 285.89 billion in 2024, projected to grow by 8.5% annually through 2030 ( Grand View Research, 2025 ). Asbeter’s method illustrates a replicable circular economy solution to manage legacy asbestos waste while producing low-carbon construction feedstock for the built environment’s transition ( Asbeter, 2024 ). Addressing asbestos is critical: asbestos exposure accounted for 78% of occupational cancers in the EU in 2019, with approximately 70,000 workers still exposed today ( European Commission, 2022 ). This underscores the urgent need for safe and scalable asbestos waste management solutions. Another company working on a circular solution for asbestos is Thermal Recycling in the UK. The company uses high-temperature processing to convert asbestos cement into inert mineral materials, achieving end-of-waste status and enabling reuse. ALL CASE STUDIES

Our Network Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is the Secretariat of CIRCULÉIRE, funded by the Government of Ireland’s Department of Climate, Energy and Environment (DCEE). CIRCULÉIRE is a multi-million euro cross-sectoral industry-led, public-private partnership that was co-created by IMR, and three Strategic Partners; the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment (DCEE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and EIT Climate-KIC and 25 Founding Industry Members. Starting with 25 founding members, we have grown to a vibrant network of over 50 engaged members who are committed to circular economy transition, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. CIRCULÉIRE is actively engaging and collaborating with all stakeholders from the wider Irish Circular innovation ecosystem - government departments and agencies, academia, third sector and solution providers and provides regular opportunities to for the network to engage and collaborate within this wider ecosystem. What We Do Support the delivery of reduction in waste across our network members through product redesign; business model innovation; industrial symbiosis; materials substitution and other circularity strategies Raise awareness and increase understanding of circularity within and for Irish Industry and the wider ecosystem. Identify barriers to implementation and advise on strategies to overcome them Develop frameworks, toolkits + deep demonstrations to de-risk & prove the value of Circular Economy Inform Irish Circular Economy policy innovation. Strategic Partners The Department of Climate, Energy and Environment (DCEE) are leading the delivery the Government of Ireland’s National Climate Action Plan (2019) and the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (2020-2025). In November 2022, DECC announced €1.5m continutation funding for CIRCULÉIRE in 2023. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead the National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP), a Government of Ireland initiative, which supports national-level, strategic programmes to prevent waste and drive the circular economy in Ireland. EIT Climate-KIC is the largest public-private partnership in the EU dedicated to accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon, climate-resilient society, supported by the European Institute for Innovation & Technology (EIT). Governance As a public-private partnership, CIRCULÉIRE’s governance structure includes a steering group with IMR as secretary, along with permanent representation from its three strategic partners DCEE, EPA and EIT Climate-KIC, as well as representatives from industry members who rotate annually. In 2024, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) joined the Steering Group. Network members are invited to put themselves forward for election or nominate a peer each year. Industry representatives play a crucial feedback role between CIRCULÉIRE’s cross-sectoral Industry Members (who range from MNCs to SMEs to micro-enterprise) and the Strategic Partners – bringing industry’s perspectives to the table. 2024 Colette Van Jaarsveld Managing Director Conor Magee Head of Manufacturing Paul Farrell Joint Chief Executive Officer Rory O'Dwyer Environmental Coordinator 2023 Lisa O'Donoghue Chief Executive Officer Mark O'Sullivan Global Business Development Director Kevin Sheridan Managing Director Paul Farrell Joint Chief Executive Officer 2022 Fergus O'Sullivan Plant Manager Kevin Cronin Chief Operating Officer Maria Couchman Senior Craft & Education Manager Neil Skeffington Chief Executive Officer 2021 Austin Geraghty Global Director, Health, Safety & Sustainability Elizabeth O'Reilly Head of Environmental Compliance & Membership Ian Ryan Energy & Utilities Manager 2020 David Callanan Senior Engineering Executive Declan O'Riordan Sustainability Manager Mark Coyne Global Sustainability Lead Contact Us First Name Last Name Email Type of Enquiry Choose an option Send Irish Manufacturing Research Unit A, Aerodrome Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin D24 WC04 08.30 – 17.00 Monday – Friday +353 (0) 1 567 5000 circuleire@imr.ie Irish Manufacturing Research, National Science Park, Dublin Rd, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath N91 TX80 08.30 – 17.00 Monday – Friday +353 (0) 1 567 5000 circuleire@imr.ie

WHAT WE DO CIRCULAR BUSINESS SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & POLICY ENGAGEMENTS ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATION Innovation Pilots From 2020 to 2022, CIRCULÉIRE actively supported the development of a circular economy in Ireland through a dedicated €1.5 million Innovation Pilot Project Fund. This initiative, backed by our strategic partners DECC, EPA, and EIT Climate-KIC, funded 10 large-scale, system-wide innovation projects within the CIRCULÉIRE network. The Innovation Pilot Project Fund aimed to identify, test, and scale innovative circular solutions, with a focus on circular manufacturing systems, supply chains, and circular business models. Over the lifespan of this pilot, nine network participants were awarded funding to explore circularity within their sectors and collaborated with fellow CIRCULÉIRE participants and actors from the external circular ecosystem to bring their projects to life. To learn more about upcoming calls for proposals, application processes, and deadlines, keep an eye on CIRCULÉIRE's Latest News section (Inc link to news) and social media channels. See below for an overview of the successful circular economy demonstration projects funded by CIRCULÉIRE's Innovation Pilot Project Fund. 2022 2021 2020 Circular by Design Project Lead: Design & Crafts Council of Ireland Project Partner: National College of Art and Design The global textiles and apparel industry is the joint third highest emitter of greenhouse gases globally and operates in an almost completely linear ‘take-make-waste’ system. To address this challenge, The Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and the Creative Futures Academy (CFA) came together to design and launch ‘Circular By Design’; a first-of-a-kind training programme that supports textile and fashion designers, brands and manufacturers to make the transition to circular practices in every step of their design practice, value chain and business model. In its pilot year, Circular By Design equipped Irish businesses with the necessary knowledge and skills to create materials, products, and entire business models built on circularity principles. Participants gained a foundational understanding of the circular economy and redesign their value propositions, materials, products, services, and business models for a more sustainable future. Circularising Single Use Plastics (C-SUP) Project Lead: Novelplast Project Partners: Irish Green Labs | Technical University of the Shannon | CÚRAM University of Galway | Connacht-Ulster Waste Regional Waste Office | Eventec | Climate 23 Irish laboratories rely heavily on large quantities of high-quality, carbon-intensive, single-use plastics. Most of this plastic, often polypropylene pipette tips, comes from Germany, the UK, or the US, and is incinerated in Ireland after just one use. A national audit carried out by University of Galway and Irish Manufacturing Research identified these pipette tips as the most common plastic lab waste. The C-SUP demonstration project tackled this challenge by turning these single-use polypropylene plastics into a valuable feedstock for Irish recyclers. Creating a circular system where lab waste becomes a resource, empowering researchers to minimize their environmental impact. Through dissemination via the Irish Green Labs network, the project aims to make purchasing recycled polypropylene labware the standard practice across thousands of Irish laboratories. READ CASE STUDY READ CASE STUDY Do More with Less Project Lead: Farrell Furniture Project Partners: Atlantic Technological University Connemara | Office of Public Works This collaborative furniture take-back and remanufacturing project is an innovative shift towards green procurement by the Irish Government. Through a collaborative effort, Do More with Less, aims to develop and implement circularity within the public sector. There are two streams within this project. Stream One – Remanufacturing for Continued Use : Obsolete office furniture that was created by Farrell Furniture in the mid 2000’s is retrieved from the OPW. It is then repaired, remanufactured, and redistributed through the public sector. Stream Two – Preserving Design Heritage: The Crannac Chair, a classic chair design that is no longer produced will be studied and reverse-engineered by ATU Connemara. Allowing their future repair and reuse and keeping a classic piece of Irish Design in use for many years to come. READ 'DO MORE WITH LESS' CASE STUDY READ 'CRANNAC CHAIR' CASE STUDY Medical Devices a New Life (MEDAL) Project Lead: Offerre Project Partners: FPD Recycling | University of Limerick The healthcare sector is a significant contributor to environmental pollution, responsible for roughly 4.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. An increased reliance on single-use medical devices, particularly in high-income countries, has had a large impact on this. The collection high-cost and low-volume of these devices has left traditional take-back schemes are often abandoned by producers. MEDAL offers a cost-efficient reprocessing system that extends the lifespan of medical devices without compromising on product integrity or strict reprocessing protocols. Designed with key stakeholders and regulations in mind, the system prioritises high performance, user convenience, producer engagement, and overall system integrity. The Pilot assesses automation solutions for cleaning and de-manufacturing and supports the circular design of products and packaging. The system also provides a cloud-based platform allowing device consumers to interact with the producers. READ CASE STUDY Upcycled Insulation Project Lead: Cirtex Ltd Project Partners: Tipperary County Council | Clothes Pod (https://www.clothespod.ie/ ) | Interior Creations Every year, tens of thousands of tonnes of mattresses, furniture, bedding, and industrial offcuts are sent to waste in Ireland. Currently, Ireland has no answer to upcycling this end-of life material. Cirtex is a new Irish company that is seeking to turn this soft padding material into insulation and other useful products that can be further upcycled when they reach their “end of life”. The Upcycled Insulation project, in collaboration with Tipperary County Council, Clothes POD, and Interior Creations, demonstrates how to effectively collect these materials from the public in a clean and efficient manner and convert it into high-quality insulation for housing and padding for furniture and bedding companies. This solution not only diverts massive amounts of waste from landfill, but also provides the construction, furniture, and bedding industries with a sustainable alternative for their production needs. READ CASE STUDY Circular Economy & The Power of Many Project Lead: Freefoam Building Products Project Partners: Glenveagh | Mulligan Guttering | Shabra Recycling In 2021, the EU generated an estimated 188.7 kg of packaging waste per inhabitant, with construction packaging waste playing a significant role. READ MORE The CE Power of Many initiative aims to implement a take-back scheme for unused roofline building products and packaging delivered to construction sites to prevent waste ending up in landfills. Freefoam, CE Power of Many Project Lead, are implementing this take-back scheme for the left-over products and packaging associated with their products. Furthermore, they are reviewing existing packaging to optimise its recovery and reuse. This project has also led Freefoam to partner with Shabra Plastics to develop a closed loop system from Freefoam’s production plant in Cork to Shabra’s plant in Monaghan, for all PE-LD and cardboard that flows into Freefoam. READ CASE STUDY RoboCRM | Advanced Robotics To Capture Critical Raw Materials In WEEE Recycling For A Circular Economy Project Lead: FPD Recycling Project Partners: University of Limerick | Robotics & Drives In the Electronics and Electric Equipment (EEE) sector, great strides are already being made towards circularity through the increased growth of WEEE recycling. Current methods however, struggle to recover all valuable Critical Raw Materials (CRM) from electronic devices. Modern appliances often have integrated batteries which cannot be easily accessed or removed. During WEEE recycling the process to harvest appliance batteries and their CRMs can be dangerous and inefficient for humans to carry out. RoboCRM uses non-destructive, AI powered detection methods and pattern recognition to identify and sort batteries and electronics containing batteries from the main WEEE stream. Allowing for safer and more efficient processing, and a higher recovery rate of CRMs in the recycling process, closing the loop on battery recycling in the WEEE system. READ CASE STUDY SUCCESS Sustainable Use of Carbon Contributes to Environmentally Sustainable Systems Project Lead: Dawn Meats Project Partners: BHSL Waste Solutions | University of Limerick Dawn Meats, one of Europe’s largest food processing companies, produces over 430,000 tonnes of added value meat products annually. Through their SUCCESS Pilot Project, they aim to transform Ireland's meat processing sector into a circular economy model by maximising renewable energy from by-products and residues. Partnering with BHSL, a proven technology provider in the poultry sector, and researchers from the University of Limerick, SUCCESS has identified the potential to transform animal by-products and sludge into green energy through BHSL's small-scale, energy conversion technology. SUCCESS seeks to deliver Ireland’s first circular meat processing demonstration plant extracting maximum renewable energy from processing side-streams and residues while creating a high-value end product to service the growing biofertilizer sector. READ CASE STUDY CESI Circular Economy Skills Initiative Project Lead: WEEE Ireland Project Partners: Fasttrack into IT | White Goods Association Repair to extend a product’s lifecycle is a core element of functional circular economy. For repair to be a viable option in White Goods WEEE however, there needs to be skilled workforce capable of carrying out maintenance on appliances, a service that is lacking in Ireland. The Circular Economy Skills Initiative (CESI) project addresses the skills and training bottleneck that exists by developing the first QQI-accredited appliance repair qualification course in Ireland, upskilling and training much needed repair and reuse specialists. CESI was developed with support and input from the White Goods Association ensuring that the training and modules would address industry requirements and provide the most value to participants and consumers alike. READ CASE STUDY Lithium Long Life Battery (LLLB) Project Lead: WEEE Ireland Project Partners: Wisetek | KMK Metals Long-Life Lithium Batteries (LLLBs) from electric vehicles (EVs), IT equipment, and energy storage systems offer a valuable resource for a more circular Irish economy. After reaching their first life (typically 7-10 years in EVs), these batteries still hold significant potential. The LLLB-CE project aims to unlock this potential by establishing a comprehensive LLLB management system in Ireland, allowing for the safe removal, collection, sorting, and discharging of these batteries. Developing this process and training more people in the environmental management of LLLB will create employment opportunities across the sector. Encouraging new training pathways for circular economy upskilling of current operatives in the material sorting and recycling sector in Ireland. READ CASE STUDY

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b96f2e0f-736a-4b70-ade9-9f23323c8096 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: SOTENÄS MARINE RECYCLING CENTRE WEBSITE: SYMBIOCENTRUM.SE SECTOR : ADVANCED MATERIALS PUBLISHED: 19 NOVEMBER 2025 TAGS: MARINEPLASTIC, GHOSTGEAR, OCEANPOLLUTION, FISHINGINDUSTRY, INDUSTRIALSYMBIOSIS, RECYCLING, WASTETORESOURCE, EPR, CLEANSEAS The Challenge Sotenäs is a small coastal municipality in Sweden with around 9,000 inhabitants. Fishing is the primary industry and it is home to the second largest fish auction in the country. The municipality also homes three of Sweden’s major seafood processing plants ( Marthinson, 2022 ). Tourism plays a key role in the local economy, with the population swelling to over 50,000 each summer ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). Both fishing and tourism rely on healthy seas and clean environments. Yet, Sotenäs faces significant challenges from marine litter and waste generated by the fishing industry. This local issue mirrors a global crisis. While plastics have delivered clear benefits - being lightweight, durable, and versatile for many industrial and everyday applications - their widespread use has also created severe environmental challenges. Plastic production has surged in recent years, driving climate change and harming marine ecosystems. Global plastic production now exceeds 450 million tonnes annually ( Ritchie, Samborska & Roser, 2023 ). From extraction to disposal, plastics generate large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In 2019 alone, plastics accounted for 1.8 billion tonnes of GHG emissions - about 3.4% of global emissions ( OECD, 2024 ) and every minute, the equivalent of a garbage truck’s worth of plastic enters the ocean, threatening marine life ( Tsydenova & Patil, 2021 ). A Circular Solution The Sotenäs Marine Recycling Centre (SMRC) is Sweden’s first facility dedicated to marine recycling. It was established in 2018 through a partnership between Sotenäs municipality and local fishers, as part of Symbioscentrum - an organisation promoting industrial symbiosis in the region ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). SMRC collects, separates, and processes discarded fishing gear and marine litter, including "ghost gear"- fishing equipment such as nets, lines, or traps that has been lost, abandoned, or discarded yet continues to capture and kill fish or other marine animals. SMRC sorts metals and different plastic types such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and PET for reuse, recycling, or upcycling. Due to its success, SMRC expanded nationally in 2020 through the Fiskereturen project, creating around 10 collection hubs in fishing ports across Sweden. Fishing gear from these locations is trucked to SMRC for processing ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). SMRC worked with authorities to prepare for the European Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for fishing gear , which came into effect in January 2025 ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). The centre also offers testing services and is developing new circular products from waste fishing gear and marine plastics through its innovation testbed, Testbed Ocean Waste (TOW) ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). Climate Impact Previously, most clean polymers collected by SMRC were exported to Plastix Global in Denmark for recycling into pellets for use by European and international industries (Charter & Whitehead, 2023). Today, more polymers are reused locally in Sweden, reducing resource loss from export and increasing the availability of recycled materials. This shift lowers reliance on imported and virgin polymers. In 2022, the SMRC collected 152 tonnes of used fishing gear ( Torbäck, 2023 ). About 60 - 80% of the collected gear was recycled, 5 - 10% reused, and the remainder that was unsuitable for recycling or reuse was sent for energy recovery ( Torbäck, 2023 ). Recycling one tonne of plastic saves approximately 16.3 barrels of oil or 5,774 kilowatt hours of electricity ( UNDP, 2022 ), meaning SMRC’s efforts generate significant environmental savings. SMRC also creates green local jobs through the municipality’s work-training programme ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). Trainees help separate and sort fishing gear and beach plastic, as well as clean municipal beaches and coastal areas ( Charter & Whitehead, 2023 ). Replicability Discarded fishing gear and marine plastic waste are global problems, especially in coastal regions with limited recycling infrastructure. Globally, only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled; the majority is either incinerated (approximately 34%), landfilled (around 40%), or improperly disposed of into the environment ( Wu et al., 2025 ). Replicating the SMRC model successfully requires two critical elements: infrastructure to collect and process the nets, and a market to buy the resulting recycled material. While the infrastructure gap remains significant, a growing number of companies are proving that a robust market for marine plastics exists. By treating waste gear as a valuable feedstock rather than trash, these organizations are driving demand: OceanЯ (Ireland), a Cork-based apparel company, produces garments from marine plastic waste and has diverted over 1.5 million plastic bottles from oceans and landfills. Waterhaul (UK) recovers and recycles marine plastics, including ghost gear, into traceable, purpose-made polymer products used in injection moulding. Bureo (Chile/US) collects discarded fishing nets and recycles them into NetPlus nylon pellets for use in the products of brands such as Nike & Patagonia. Patagonia (USA) are an outdoor clothing pioneer incorporating recycled plastics and collaborating with companies like Bureo to use discarded fishing nets to make high end outdoor clothing. ALL CASE STUDIES

63d81167-45f8-4294-8bc6-b8095f5b3584 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: KALUNBORG SYMBIOSIS WEBSITE: SYMBIOSIS.DK SECTOR : ENERGY, CONSTRUCTION, PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDTECH, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE PUBLISHED: 04 JULY 2025 TAGS: INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS, WASTE VALORISATION, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, HEAT EXCHANGE About Kalunborg Symbiosis Kalundborg is a city in Denmark where big industrial companies work together across sectors to share excess energy, water, and materials, so less goes to waste. As public and private companies are physically connected, one company’s surplus of resources adds value to another. Today, more than 30 different streams of excess resources flow between the companies, creating a symbiosis of resource exchange, adding more resilience and profit to the partners. The Challenge The world population is growing, and urbanisation is spreading, hence industry is expanding. Every year, 100 billion tonnes of raw material are extracted from the earth, which is comparable to demolishing two-thirds of Mount Everest every year ( Miller, 2021). However, increased industrialisation is driving increased waste generation. The World Bank estimates that the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of waste each year, with that figure anticipated to rise to 3.4 billion tonnes by 2050 ( Kaza et al., 2021 ). But, amongst the discarded waste are treasures for certain industries and Kalundborg Symbiosis is an example of an initiative capitalising on that potential. The Circular Solution in Practice Kalundborg Symbiosis is the world’s first industrial symbiosis (IS) initiative that has evolved over the past 50 years, with a partnership of 17 public and private companies. IS is a form of circular economy that connects businesses from various industries to increase waste valorisation, improve resource efficiency, and reduce environmental impact ( Trokanas et al., 2014 ). The Kalundborg network began in 1961 with a project to use surface water from Lake Tissø for a new oil refinery ( UNEP ). To preserve the limited ground water supply, the city of Kalundborg built the pipeline using funding from the refinery ( UNEP ). Following that, many other collaborative initiatives were established, with the number of partners gradually increasing ( UNEP ). By the end of the 1980’s, the partners realised that they had developed an IS ( UNEP ). IS provides mutual economic and environmental benefits for the partners. Some valuable initiatives include the elimination of 3500 oil-fired domestic furnaces since 1981 and distribution of heat from the Asnaes Power Station, Denmark’s largest power plant, via an underground pipe network ( Doty, 2023 ). Homeowners pay for the piping but receive affordable, dependable heat in exchange ( Doty, 2023 ). The power plant supplies cooling water to an on-site fish farm that produces roughly 200 tonnes of trout per year ( Doty, 2023 ). Asnaes also provides process steam to neighbouring companies, Novo Nordisk and Statoil ( Doty, 2023 ). Climate Impact Currently, every year, the symbiosis saves the partners and environment: 4 billion litres of groundwater by using surface water instead 586.000 tonnes of CO2 62.000 tonnes of residual materials recycled including waste, gypsum, fly ash, sulphur, bioethanol, sand, sludge, C5/C6 sugars, lignin, NovoGro 30, ethanol waste and biomass. In addition, 80% of the emissions in the Symbiosis has been reduced since 2015, and the local energy supply is now carbon neutral. While the fossil fuel industry is at the heart of the Kalunborg network, and that industry is by far the largest contributor to global climate change ( UN, 2023 ), there is still a lot to be learned from Kalundborg’s decades of experience in industrial symbiosis. Replicability The European Union has 6656 industrial facilities, with approximately 43 million alternatives for collaboration ( Quintana, Chamkhi, and Bredimas, 2020 ). As a result, there are numerous opportunities for IS, however; there are a few factors to consider for a successful project. The SCALER (SCALing European Resources with industrial symbiosis) Project 2018 report on lessons learnt and best practices for enhancing industrial symbiosis in the process industry makes three main recommendations to the business community involved in or considering IS: Leadership : There must be strong leadership and commitment from top management to shift the organisational mindset away from linear processes and towards IS. Long-term commitment is vital to under-pin IS for economic, social, and environmental benefits to be realised. Initially, synergistic initiatives need to be small scale to build capability, capacity and most importantly confidence before attempting bolder steps. Internal organisational IS structure : A dedicated organisational structure to explore and drive synergistic opportunities is required because it will deliver more rapid progress than project-based assignments. A noteworthy example of IS in Ireland is Well Spent Grain , a CIRCULEIRE New Venture, they collect brewer’s spent grain from brewers like Rascals Brewing Company and transform it into Born- Again Bites, a healthy and delicious snack. ALL CASE STUDIES

fdede40f-096c-41a9-adc3-053d6c2210ec CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: EVOLVE WEBSITE: HTTPS://WWW.EVOLVEAUTO.IE/ SECTOR : AUTOMOTIVE PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: REPAIR, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL The Challenge Every year, an estimated 8 to 9 million tonnes of waste is generated from the disposal of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) ( EPA , 2023 ). That’s equivalent to the weight of approximately 19,000 Boeing 747s. In addition, around 3.5 million vehicles disappear without a trace from EU roads each year, and are exported, or disposed of illegally ( EC , 2023 ). Since 2015, EU Member States are required to meet rates of ≥85% for reuse-and-recycling and ≥95% for reuse and recovery ( Eurostat, 2023 ). An estimated 145,628 ELVs were treated in Ireland in 2021, equating to an estimated 154,365 tonnes of waste. That’s about the same weight as 345 Boeing 747s. In 2021, Ireland achieved a reuse and recycling rate of 87.81% compared with the EU target of 85% and a reuse and recovery rate of 95.74% compared with the EU target of 95% ( EPA , 2023 ). The production of vehicles is one of the most resource- intensive industries. The automotive industry in the EU is the number one consumer of aluminium (42%), magnesium (44%), platinum group metals (63%), natural rubber (67%) and rare earth elements (30% and growing exponentially) ( EC , 2023 ). The Circular Opportunity With so many critical raw materials tied up in the production of vehicles the EU has prioritised the implementation of circular economy principles to recover those materials and to reduce the environmental impact of their disposal and the need for replacing them with virgin materials. The Circular Solution In Practice Evolve , is an independent technology- driven supply chain solution aimed at streamlining the sourcing of green auto parts for automotive businesses. Green auto parts are undamaged Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts that have been taken from a vehicle during the disassembly and recycling process which can be reused for the repair of vehicles still in service. Evolve brings together green auto parts suppliers (vehicle recyclers) and green auto parts consumers (insurers, repairers, fleets, etc.) from across Ireland and the United Kingdom in a structured, value-driven manner. To ensure that only the highest-quality green parts enter the repair cycle, all Evolve-supplied green parts are graded to the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) standards. The Evolve OS technology platform, which interfaces seamlessly with clients’ workflows to deliver feasible and value- driven green parts solutions in seconds, is at the heart of the market-leading service. Evolve provides measurable net carbon emissions savings, sustainability impacts and commercial savings. Opting for green auto parts prevents the need for new parts to be manufactured, therefore creating significant energy and resource savings. It also prevents high quality used parts from ending up in landfills. Reusing vehicle parts saves approximately 35.3 gigajoules of energy and 1,887 kg of CO2 per vehicle ( Sato, 2018 ). An Garda Síochána, the Irish police force, saved the equivalent of 38,477 kg of CO2 in 2022 by acquiring 551 reclaimed vehicle parts of various makes and models. They aquired the parts for its fleet from Evolve’s partner Ted4Parts, as opposed to purchasing newly made vehicle parts. This is an average savings of 94% net carbon dioxide equivalent for An Garda Síochána ( Motoring Matters, 2023 ). Replicability The automotive industry accounts for more than 7% of the EU’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ( EC, 2023 ). The EU’s ELV Directive sets clear targets for ELVs and their components. It also prohibits the use of hazardous substances when manufacturing new vehicles (especially lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium) except in defined exemptions when there are no adequate alternatives ( EC, 2023 ). Furthermore, consumer expectations are shifting, emphasising the importance of sustainable practises. Evolve has successfully integrated a circular business model into a thriving automobile market in order to reduce CO2 emissions and virgin resource use, while also helping Ireland reach its targets under the ELV Directive. Repair, recovery, and reuse are becoming more prevalent as nations aim to achieve their climate targets. Some examples worth mentioning include: Norsk Ombruk a Norwegian household electronic appliance remanufacturing firm that was established in 2014. Synetiq a car salvage, green auto parts supplier, vehicle repairing, and automobile software solutions provider based in the UK and founded in 1939. ALL CASE STUDIES

121bac0e-7611-436c-9e08-8ecda0e35c88 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: ETH ZURICH WEBSITE: ETHZ.CH SECTOR : BUILT ENVIRONMENT PUBLISHED: 18 SEPTEMBER 2025 TAGS: SUSTAINABLECONSTRUCTION, GREENCONCRETE, CIVILENGINEERING, MATERIALINNOVATION, CEMENT, CONSTRUCTIONTECH, RECYCLEDAGGREGATES The Challenge Concrete manufacturing is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 6–8% of worldwide CO2 emissions. This stems largely from the energy-intensive process of heating limestone at very high temperatures during cement production, a key ingredient in concrete ( IEA, 2023 ). With ongoing urbanisation and industrial growth, demand for concrete is expected to rise, intensifying its environmental impact. Energy consumed during the day-to-day functioning and maintenance of buildings represents about 30% of global energy consumption. This increases to 34% when including the energy used to produce of cement, steel and aluminium in their construction ( IEA, 2023 ). The construction sector also requires huge amounts of resources and accounts for about 50% of all extracted material ( European Commission, 2018 ). These figures underscore the critical need for circular approaches that reduce resource use and emissions in construction. The Circular Opportunity Zurich’s Ultra Green Concrete (UGC) project, led by ETH Zurich, offers an innovative model for sustainable concrete production. Cement production typically involves using around 95% clinker mixed with a small proportion of gypsum. The clinker is created by heating limestone and clay in kilns at roughly 1,450 °C, a process that inherently generates carbon dioxide through the breakdown of limestone ( Ethz.ch , 2023 ). The UGC project reduces reliance on clinker - the most carbon-intensive components in cement - by substituting it with alternative minerals such as calcined clay and limestone. This lowers the overall cement content and cuts CO 2 emissions in the concrete manufacturing process ( Ethz.ch , 2023 ). In parallel, the ETH Zurich ‘Airlements’ project utilises recyclable mineral foam to create 3D-printed formwork components, which further reduces the volume of concrete needed on site. The foam is made from recycled industrial waste formed together with foam and finished with a cement-free protective plaster which can be assembled into a two-meter-tall system for non-structural walls ( Designboom, 2023 ). This combination of material innovation and smart construction techniques improves both resource efficiency and sustainability in building processes. ETH Zurich’s approach also focuses on recycling demolition waste as input for fresh concrete production. By reusing up to 98% of recycled concrete in new builds, exemplified by and extension to Zurich’s main art gallery Kunsthaus Zurich, this approach avoids landfill disposal and conserves virgin raw materials ( Bloomberg, 2021 ). Climate and Resource Impact These circular methods have yielded measurable emissions reductions. The UGC project has achieved nearly a 40% reduction in CO 2 emissions compared to traditional concrete mixes. Depending on the application, the project’s concrete can emit as little as 80–100 kg of CO 2 per cubic metre, compared with approximately 300 kg/m³ for conventional mixtures ( ETH Zurich, 2023 ). Additionally, by employing recyclable mineral foam formwork, UGC reduces concrete usage by up to 70%, further amplifying the environmental benefits ( 3D Printing Industry, 2025 ). The project has also saved an estimated 17,000 m³ of virgin materials and significantly reduced landfill requirements, aligning with circular economy principles of waste minimisation and resource conservation. Replicability and Industry Innovation Zurich’s success has inspired a growing movement among companies and cities worldwide to adopt circular concrete technologies. The UGC project aims to make high-performance, low-carbon concrete more accessible to the broader construction sector ( ETH Zurich, 2023 ). The UGC project serves as a practical model for sustainable manufacturing of construction materials. Ireland’s own manufacturing and construction industries can draw valuable lessons to support circularity, reduce emissions, and meet net-zero commitments through innovation in recycled concrete technologies and material efficiency. Examples of emerging sustainable concrete innovations include: CarbonCure Technologies injects recycled CO 2 into fresh concrete, permanently mineralising the gas and lowering the carbon footprint while maintaining performance. Biomason uses microorganisms to ‘grow’ biocement, dramatically cutting emissions from cement production and producing certified biocement products in commercial-scale factories. Neustark captures carbon dioxide from industrial biogas plants, storing it safely within recycled concrete aggregates to create a long-lasting carbon sink and producing certified carbon credits. These innovations demonstrate significant progress in transforming concrete from a major CO 2 emitter into a material aligned with circular economy and climate goals. ALL CASE STUDIES

a4740068-36be-456d-ade7-4fe19cface0a CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: ARCOLOGY WEBSITE: ARCOLOGYSYSTEM.COM SECTOR : BUILT ENVIRONMENT PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: CIRCULAR IT, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL About Arcology System Arcology System is a smart and data-driven interior construction system that offers modularity and adaptability, unlocking circular economy value in the way that commercial fit-outs are financed, designed, procured, built, and managed for REITs (real estate investment trusts), developers, and end-users. Fit-outs are activities that prepare a commercial tenant’s interior space for occupation, such as installing flooring, ceilings, partitions, and furnishings. The Challenge Buildings account for 39% of annual global Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, with 28% originating from building operations and 11% from building materials and construction activities ( Fonseca, 2023 ). In Ireland, construction and demolition generate nine million tonnes of waste ( EPA , 2023 ), that’s about the same weight as 12,857 fully loaded Boeing 747 jumbo jets. Furthermore, most of this material is not being reused or recycled ( Nugent, 2023 ). Urgent decarbonisation is driving REITs and landlords to invest in energy and building retrofitting to reduce carbon emissions, meet regulations, and reduce financial risk, but they are struggling to find solutions to embodied carbon. Embodied carbon refers to the GHG emissions arising from materials and construction processes across the entire lifecycle of a building, as measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) ( Fonseca, 2023 ). The Circular Opportunity Arcology System is a circular kit-of-parts approach to interior construction that aims to solve several problems within commercial interior fit-outs on both the supply and demand side, including inflexibility, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and labour shortages. It uses lightweight, post-consumer recycled aluminium profiles to create a “smart grid” that can integrate various interior components (doors, walls, ceilings, lighting), allowing for easy adaptability and upgradability of the space. The system reduces waste and the use of new materials, thus contributing to a circular economy. Clients can either purchase the hardware outright or lease it (Product-as-a- Service) as an operating expense. Integrated Internet of Things (IoT) sensors collect real-time data on environmental conditions, occupancy, and asset tracking, which is gathered within a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) assisted operations and integrated workplace management system (IWMS) platform. This data provides insights into how the space is being used and identifies generative-design layouts for improvement using already purchased modules. The material chain of custody and ‘ golden thread ’ of information are also captured across the entire lifecycle. Climate Impact Arcology System offers a data-driven and intelligent interior fit-out solution that can significantly reduce carbon emissions and enable adaptive reuse of potentially stranded assets. The system enables a circular economy value chain, from financing and design to procurement, construction, and management. The system’s design-for-disassembly approach can constantly reconfigure internal space for multiple use cases by reusing materials, rather than recycling or disposing of them, reducing the need for virgin resources and waste. 80% of buildings to meet Net-zero 2050 targets already exist, Arcology enables the adaptive reuse of these assets enabling them to become ‘smart’, and function as ‘ material banks .’ The proprietary integrated IoT- environmental and asset tracking sensors within the hardware system efficiently track materials, reducing waste and carbon emissions from sourcing to use, and enabling a circular supply chain that integrates certified products. The company’s post-consumer aluminium “Meccano™-like” connection hardware ensures that integrated and approved locally sourced materials stay in use at their highest value. They can be moved from building to building, and traded afterward, resulting in lower embodied carbon. Replicability The construction industry is one of the largest in the world economy, with approximately USD $10 trillion spent each year on construction-related goods and services ( Barbosa et al., 2017 ). As one of the most waste-producing sectors, a new approach to materials is required. In Ireland, implementation of digital product passports requiring a collection of digital data associated with a certain product is scheduled for 2026 or 2027. Arcology System provides the first step from a linear to a circular construction industry and is positioning itself as an industry leader in the circular construction sector. As sustainability becomes more important in the construction sector, circular economy practices are becoming more prevalent. Other notable businesses are: Dirtt manufactures a component-led, modular, interior construction system that is shipped from their facilities in Canada. Holcim decarbonises buildings for a net-zero future by providing low-carbon products and solutions that allow the construction industry to build better with less. ALL CASE STUDIES