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f9c55f9d-bf24-488b-be0f-1093f40c9cfc CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: KAFFE BUENO WEBSITE: KAFFEBUENO.COM SECTOR: FOOD & DRINK PUBLISHED: 26 MAY 2025 TAGS: FOOD WASTE, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL, BIOECONOMY, COSMETICS The Challenge Many people around the world start their day with a cup of coffee. From Oct 2021 to Sep 2022, over 168.5 million 60kg bags of coffee were consumed globally, with Europe accounting for 31% of its consumption ( International Coffee Organization, 2023 ). Every year, approximately 18 million tonnes of used coffee grounds are discarded worldwide, with the majority being sent to landfill ( May, 2021 ). When coffee grounds decompose in landfills, they emit methane gas, which has a greenhouse heating effect 84 times higher than carbon dioxide (over a 20 year period). ‘If all the estimated 18 million tonnes of wet, spent grounds were left to decompose naturally, they would release over 2.3 billion cubic metres of methane annually – a global warming impact equivalent to the entire annual CO2 output of France’ ( May, 2021 ). The Circular Opportunity A circular economy is an economy that eliminates waste by design. It does this, in part, by recognising the value contained in what is normally throw away. ‘When brewing a cup of coffee, only 1% of the potential in the coffee bean is being utilised, making it one of the most undervalued resources in the world’ ( Kaffe Bueno 2023 ). Spent coffee grounds are already being used for biofuels, natural fertilisers, nutrition and personal healthcare products. The Circular Solution in Practice Kaffe Bueno is a Danish bioscience company founded in 2016. They are a Certified B Corporation who use green chemistry and biotechnology to upcycle spent coffee grounds to produce ingredients for the human-nutrition, personal-care and agro-chemical industries. Kaffe Bueno collects and dries the spent coffee grounds from selected hotels, offices, and industry partners in Copenhagen. They then extract the antioxidant-rich arabica seed oil and coffee fibres. Their circular business model has resulted in a number of marketable healthcare products, such as extracts for serums, oils, shampoos, conditioners, soaps, sunscreens, natural exfoliants and antioxidants. For the nutrition market they produce fibre rich flour for baking breads, cookies and cereals plus coffee flavouring extracts. By diverting spent coffee grounds from landfill they currently prevent up to 37 tonnes of methane emissions per year ( Kallehauge, 2023 ). Replicability The global coffee beauty products market was valued at US$593 million in 2022, and it is projected to grow to US$961.9 million by 2031 ( Transparency Market Research, 2023 ). Consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in skincare products. In addition, the increasing demand for organic and natural skincare products is enhancing the market value for beauty products containing coffee. Some of the prominent players in the market such as Loreal Paris, Estee Lauder Inc., and Avon have been focusing on introducing coffee-infused beauty products to expand their offerings and serve the customers with natural ingredient-based solutions ( Grand View Research, 2019 ). Nutrient recovery from food waste and residues has been applied in many cases and for different purposes. Considering coffee waste valorisation, some examples also worth mentioning include: UpCircle is a circular skincare company that use coffee grounds to make facial scrubs amongst other upcycled ingredients from the food industry. The Coffee Cherry Co developed an extraction process for coffee cherry pulp to provide an ingredient for flours and nutrition drinks. A Note on By-Products & End of Waste A by-product is a residue left over from the production of another product. In Ireland, Regulation 27 of the Waste Directive sets out the circumstances in which a material can be considered a by-product and not a waste. It is essential you notify the EPA to determine if your material satisfies the criteria of a by-product. The EPA will confirm if it can be catogorised as a by-product or if it must be categorised as a waste. If the substance is classified as a waste then it may need to achieve End-of-Waste status via Article 28 of the Waste Directive to be kept in use as a resource. ALL CASE STUDIES

f3843591-0df6-4785-b40a-57236b472118 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: RECEOL WEBSITE: www.ucc.ie/en/receol/ SECTOR: WASTE ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (WEEE) PUBLISHED: 15 MAY 2025 TAGS: ELECTRONICS, MATERIAL RECOVERY, RARE EARTH METALS About ReCEOL T he Recycling of End-of-Life Products (ReCEOL) project was a collaboration between the University College Cork (UCC) and Composite Recycling Limited , which began in 2018 and ended in 2021. The project was co-funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland, the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the European Union ERA-MIN2 programme and was supported by Freiberg Technical University (Germany), Coolrec (Belgium), Alumisel (Spain) and Muldenhütten Recycling und Umwelttechnik (Germany). The Challenge The rise in business and consumer demand for electronics has created one of the fastest waste streams in the European Union (EU). Currently, roughly 38% of electronics that enter the market are collected; the rest are discarded ( EC, 2020 ). Electronics are a complex waste stream as they can be composed of a mix of materials from rare earths to precious metals to plastics. Every year it is estimated that around 400,000 tonnes of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB’s) are generated in the EU of which over 90% are sent to landfill or are incinerated ( Cordis, 2022 ). Many of the materials in the PCB’s are valuable, scarce and in demand, such as copper, gold, silver, solder and indium, but many are lost during the recycling and recovery process. The Circular Solution ReCEOL developed a patented recycling process to recover metals from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from PCB, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), batteries and Automobile Shredder Residue (ASR). The waste materials from the components described above are added to molten salt at operating temperatures of 300-450°C ( Cordis, 2022 ). The molten salt separates the metals at the bottom of the reactor, while the solid copper floats on the solder making material recovery easier ( Cordis, 2022 ). This process also enables scaling by doubling the surface area of the molten material, which doubles the throughput ( Cordis, 2022 ). Climate Impact The research carried out by ReCEOL has proven yields of 95% can be achieved for copper, steel and solder which exceeds the current industry rates of 70% to 80% ( Cordis, 2022 ). Aluminium, solder, and steel can be separated and recovered. Critical raw materials such as Indium and Tantalum can be recycled. This recycling process developed by ReCEOL can recover metals from low value PCBs. The process has several benefits over existing alternatives, including eliminating the need for shredding plus a low capital cost, given its established nature. The project also contributes to environmental preservation by efficiently extracting raw materials from WEEE, preventing them from being lost in landfills or incinerated, and reducing dependency on virgin-metal mining. Replicability A printed circuit board recovery (PCBRec) plant’s Internal-Rate-of-Return (IRR) is projected to be more than 15% for low value Waste Printed Circuit Boards (WPCBs) and 80% for medium value WPCBs ( Cordis, 2022 ). These IRR amounts do not account for the recovery of precious metals such as gold or silver ( Cordis, 2022 ). Moreover, significant regulatory drivers, such as the WEEE Directive, exist in the EU to stimulate the future development of PCBRec technology and the circular economy in the electronics industry. Because the technology is modular, capacity may be increased in a systematic manner ( Cordis, 2022 ). ReCEOL’s process is reproducible and cost effective because it uses existing processes from established industries. A few Irish companies of note in the WEEE recovery industry include: Votechnik , a CIRCULÉIRE member, develops a series of deep technologies from lab to market in the space of circular economy for LCD and flat panel display (FPD) recycling. KMK Metals Recycling , a CIRCULÉIRE member, provides environmentally sound management of waste metal in all forms. They collect and process 75% of Ireland’s WEEE. ALL CASE STUDIES

c11d36ad-d879-4496-8638-4af7801836e0 CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: WELL SPENT GRAIN WEBSITE: WELL-SPENT-GRAIN.COM SECTOR : FOOD PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: FOOD WASTE, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL The Challenge One of the earliest steps in the beer brewing process is when grain is steeped in hot water to stimulate the release of fermentable sugars for brewing. Once those sugars are released, the liquid is drained away and used in the next stage of the process. The grain that is left behind is no longer of any use to the brewer and is called Brewer’s Spent Grain (BSG). This spent grain accounts for approximately 85% of the waste created through the entire brewing process (Terefe, 2022). The brewing industry produces an estimated 39 million tonnes of spent grain per year (Bachmann, Calvete and Féris, 2022), that’s equivalent to the weight of 7.8 million African elephants. 70% of spent grain is commonly used as low-value cow feed or fertiliser, 20% is usually either disposed of in a landfill and the remaining 10% is converted into biogas (Terefe, 2022). That means approximately 7.8 million tonnes of BSG ends up in a landfill every year. Every tonne of BSG disposed of in landfill emits 513 kilogrammes of CO2 equivalent (LIFE-Brewery). BSG disposed of in landfill emits about 4 billion kilogrammes of CO2 each year. This is comparable to the same annual amount of CO2 emitted by burning 22,053 railcars worth of coal (EPA.gov). The Circular Opportunity BSG for human consumption has gained popularity in recent years, owing mostly to its health-related bioactive components. BSG is thought to be the most abundant source of phenolic chemicals, particularly hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) (Ikram et al., 2017). These phenolic chemicals are natural antioxidants that have been linked to the prevention of age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, type I and type II diabetes, and some cancers (Ikram et al., 2017). BSG is also regarded as a source of dietary fibre for humans, mainly viscous fibres, which aid in raising cholesterol and fat excretion and improving the digestive process (Ikram et al., 2017). The Circular Solution In Practice Well Spent Grain, a CIRCULÉIRE New Venture, is a Dublin-based Irish start-up founded by Sunkyung Choi and Patrick Nagle in March 2022. Well Spent Grain collect BSG from brewers like Rascals Brewing Company and transport it immediately to their kitchen for processing or storage. They upcycle it by creating tasty value-added snack bites. Well Spent Grain collaborated with the Prepared Consumer Foods Team in Teagasc Food Research Centre in Ashtown to develop the snacks and validate the production process. They work with ENSO to create and implement their sustainability strategy, track, and verify their performance. Their first product, Born-Again Peanut and Dark Chocolate soft snack bites, are made from upcycled BSG plus 5 additional ingredients (dates, 100% peanut peanut butter, toasted hazelnut, 70% dark chocolate and maple syrup). They provide good nutrition and a boost to adults’ energy levels. Each pack of Born-Again Bites has a natural malty, nutty, fruity flavour, with hints of dark chocolate and maple syrup. They provide 4.6g of protein per pouch and are high in fibre. They are accidentally vegan, have 100% recyclable packaging, and are hand-crafted locally. Well Spent Grain offer the consumer the opportunity to take part in the circular food economy in the easiest way possible. By picking up a pouch of Born Again Peanut and Dark Chocolate Soft Snack Bites, you are already taking part, and you get a delicious treat for your trouble. Replicability The global upcycled food market size was valued at USD 53.7 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach USD 97 billion by 2031 (J & D, 2023). Well Spent Grain has a great opportunity to cement and scale its business model alongside the thriving market while promoting the circular economy. Nutrient recovery from food waste and residues has been utilised in a variety of cases, including Niskus Biotec, a CIRCULÉIRE member, who upcycles and adds value to brewery and whiskey distillery by-products by using them to grow gourmet mushrooms (e.g., oyster, lion’s mane, and shiitake) and create myco-fermented food ingredients. ALL CASE STUDIES

35571c7f-11f5-4ff4-b582-1dbcc4883a23 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: IPERIONX WEBSITE: IPERIONX.COM SECTOR : ADVANCED MATERIALS PUBLISHED: 13 NOVEMBER 2025 TAGS: CRITICALRAWMATERIALS, TITANIUM, RECYCLING, SUPPLYCHAIN, RESOURCERECOVERY, AEROSPACE, ADVANCED-MATERIALS The Challenge Titanium is a critical mineral valued for its exceptional strength, light weight, and resistance to corrosion ( Schulz et al., 2017 ). It is an essential metal for industries such as aviation, shipbuilding, power generation, and medical implants, where durability and lightweight materials are crucial ( Schulz et al., 2017 ). Titanium dioxide (TiO2), an oxide form of titanium, is widely used in pigments and renewable energy applications due to its photocatalytic properties - its ability to use light to trigger chemical reactions that can, for example, enhance the efficiency of sunlight conversion into electricity in solar panels ( TDMA, 2023 ). Recognized as both a critical and strategic raw material under the European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act , titanium is vital for key sectors including civil aviation, defence, space, advanced manufacturing, and the green and digital transitions ( Joint Research Centre, 2025 ). Despite its importance, the EU relies heavily on imports of titanium minerals and metal, primarily from countries like China, Russia, and Ukraine, which exposes the supply chain to geopolitical risks, market concentration, and long lead times. These vulnerabilities have led the EU to prioritize circular economy strategies such as increased recycling, diversification of supply sources, and development of secondary raw materials to reduce import dependency and increase supply resilience ( Joint Research Centre, 2025 ). The extraction and processing of titanium has additional environmental and human health costs. Titanium mining can result in deforestation, habitat loss, and contamination of air and water - especially when waste is improperly managed ( Farjana et al., 2018 ). The overall process is energy- and water-intensive, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating water scarcity in mining regions. A Circular Solution IperionX, a U.S.-based producer of critical minerals and materials, has partnered with European metals recycler Aperam Recycling through its American entity ELG. ELG has longstanding expertise in sourcing and processing titanium, stainless steel, and superalloys, handling over one million metric tonnes of metal annually ( Aperam, 2024 ). Using University of Utah-developed technology, IperionX can produce competitively priced titanium metal from both mined mineral and scrap. Unlike the industry-standard Kroll process, their method enables 100% scrap usage, making a fully closed-loop circular system possible ( IperionX, 2025 ). IperionX utilises Hydrogen Assisted Metallothermic Reduction (HAMR), an energy efficient thermochemical process that can produce either Commercially Pure (CP) or alloyed titanium powders at low cost and with low carbon emissions in a sustainable closed loop ( IperionX, 2025 ). The IperionX Titanium Demonstration Facility has the capacity to produce 125 tonnes of titanium powder per year ( Stockhead, 2023 ) and the company has scale-up plans to achieve a capacity of 1,400 metric tonnes of titanium per year by mid-2027 ( Metal AM, 2023 ). Climate Impact Recycling titanium scrap into powder produces over 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional plasma atomisation methods, resulting in a carbon footprint as low as 7.8 kg CO2e per kilogram ( IperionX, 2023 ). By relying on recycled feedstock, IperionX reduces the need for new mining, conserves natural resources, and minimises waste. Additionally, by producing titanium powder domestically, the U.S. can lower transport-related emissions and costs - addressing a major supply chain gap as the nation currently imports all high-quality titanium ( Stockhead, 2023 ). Replicability The titanium market, valued at $2.44 billion in 2023, is set to grow at over 6% annually through 2030, largely due to increased demand from aviation and industrial sectors ( Grand View Research ). The uptake of circular recycling approaches, like those of IperionX, is likely to accelerate as industries seek lower-carbon and resource-efficient solutions. European initiatives focusing on titanium recycling and sustainable production include: EcoTitanium (France), is a leading European plant specializing in recycling aerospace-grade titanium alloys using advanced furnace technology. The EcoTitanium recycling plant is supported by significant EU investment, and produces thousands of tons of titanium alloy annually while helping to reduce emissions compared to traditional ore-based production. EcoTitanium is currently the main large-scale titanium recycling facility in Europe and aims to strengthen European supply chains and reduce import dependency ( EIB, 2018 ). The EURO-Titan Project is a multi-partner EU-funded project working to establish low-carbon titanium metal production from industrial residues and scraps within Europe. It aims to create traceable, continuous titanium metal production aligned with decarbonization and supply chain resilience goals. ALL CASE STUDIES

f74e8719-ca2e-43f8-9b65-516d56caea47 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: KUJALA WASTE CENTRE WEBSITE: Salpakierto.fi/en/ SECTOR : WASTE PUBLISHED: 01 JULY 2025 TAGS: INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS (IS), RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, WASTE VALORISATION, WASTE MANAGEMENT About Kujala Waste Centre The Kujala Waste Centre in the city of Lahti, Finland, collects biowaste and bio residues and processes these into biogas, biofuel, compost, and fertilizer. The centre also collects hazardous Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE ( EU, 2019 ). The main operator at Kujala Waste Centre is Päijät‐ Häme Waste Management Ltd (PHJ), which provides waste management for ten municipalities and offers seven waste reception stations for residents. The Challenge As the global population grows and urbanisation expands, so does industry. However, increased industrialisation leads to greater waste generation. According to the World Bank, the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of waste yearly, with this amount projected to rise to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050 ( Kaza et al., 2021 ). The Circular Solution PHJ has employed the principles of industrial symbiosis (IS) in the city of Lahti to optimise waste processing, treatment, and recycling. 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 Kujala Waste Centre project has various waste related businesses in a single location spanning 70 hectares ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ), allowing outputs from one business to be easily transferred to another for reuse or further processing. Salpakierto contributes to developing IS in the Kujala Waste Centre and invites new companies to the area ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). Tarpaper Recycling Finland Ltd. has a facility in the Kujala Waste Centre where it receives, stores and processes roofing felt containing bitumen ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). The roofing felt is crushed into bitumen crumbs, which is used as a bitumen substitute in the asphalt sector, such as at NCC Industry Ltd.’s asphalt factory in Kujala ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). Climate Impact Kujala Waste Centre receives approximately 200,000 tonnes of waste every year. Approximately 85,000 tonnes of the waste received is municipal, and the remaining 115,000 tonnes is production waste. Nearly 100% of the material is recovered ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). In 2018, the amount of energy generated from landfill waste was equivalent to the annual heating energy consumption of roughly 13,900 detached houses ( EU , 2019 ). About 70% of landfill gas is directed to Hartwall Ltd.’s soft drink factory, where it is used to create steam for bottle washing ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ), and around 30% of the biogas is utilized at the Kujala Waste Centre to generate electricity and heat at the microturbine factory ( Ministry of the Environment of Finland, 2022 ). Replicability Replicability can be inspired by the Lahti region’s municipality approach in coordinating the principles of industrial symbiosis and waste management practices. In 2022, Ireland's municipal waste recycling rate was 41%, meaning the country will face significant challenges to meet the upcoming EU recycling targets for 2025 to 2035 ( Environmental Protection Agency, 2024 ). Ireland is also strongly reliant on export markets, particularly for municipal waste, hazardous waste, packaging waste, WEEE and biowastes treatment. An estimated 39% of all municipal waste managed was exported in 2022 ( Environmental Protection Agency, 2024 ). so the country is clearly missing out on opportunities for repurposing waste materials. Addressing this waste management issue would also aid Ireland in meeting its commitments under the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Some significant IS projects include: Kalundborg Symbiosis , the world’s first IS initiative that has evolved over the past 50 years, with a partnership of 17 public and private companies, with more than 30 different streams of excess resources flowing between them. British Sugar is the leading producer of sugar for the British and Irish food and beverage sectors, they utilise waste materials from their sugar production process, as well as certain external partnerships, to make 12 different saleable products ( European Union, 2023 ). ALL CASE STUDIES

94036eb7-0636-4468-96f2-31cf79a845fc CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: HOLCIM WEBSITE: HOLCIM.COM SECTOR : BUILT ENVIRONMENT PUBLISHED: 05 NOVEMBER 2025 TAGS: SUSTAINABLECONSTRUCTION, GREENCONCRETE, RECYCLEDCONCRETE, BUILTENVIRONMENT, EMBODIEDCARBON, CEMENT, CONSTRUCTIONWASTE, WASTETORESOURCE The Challenge Buildings account for 39% of global carbon emissions, with operational emissions related to heating, cooling, and power use contributing 28%, and embodied carbon—emissions from materials and construction—making up 11% ( World Green Building Council, 2025 ). Concrete alone is estimated to be responsible for approximately 6 to 8% of global CO 2 emissions ( World Economic Forum, 2024 ). This high carbon footprint arises mainly from the energy-intensive process of heating limestone at extreme temperatures during cement production, to make clinker, which is a primary ingredient in concrete. The built environment consumes about 50% of all extracted raw materials globally, emphasizing its significant resource demands ( European Commission, 2018 ). Concrete is the second most used material on earth, following only water in volume of use ( World Cement Association, n.d. ). Without the adoption of sustainable practices, the global consumption of raw materials for construction is projected to double by 2060, causing further environmental degradation and resource depletion ( OECD, 2019 ). A Circular Solution Holcim, a worldwide leader in building materials, partnered with Seqens - a major social housing organization in France - to give birth to Recygénie, the world's first building fully made from recycled concrete. This 220-unit social housing complex utilised Holcim's ECOCycle technology, which turns construction and demolition waste into new building materials (Holcim, n.d.). In 2021, a group of 1960s apartment buildings were torn down just outside of Paris, France. On the same site, construction began on the Recygénie complex, one year utilising demolition waste from the very buildings that once stood on the site ( Fast Company, 2024 ). This project demonstrated Holcim's ECOCycle technology platform, which enables the production of concrete from 100% recycled construction and demolition materials. The platform includes advanced crushing and processing systems that transform demolition waste into high-quality recycled aggregates, sand, and cement components. By reusing these recycled materials, ECOCycle reduces reliance on virgin raw inputs, conserves natural resources, and contributes to lowering the carbon footprint of new buildings ( Holcim, 2025 ; Holcim, 2023 ). A key collaborator on the project was the CSTB (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment), the French national organization for R&D in construction. The CSTB’s partnership was essential to monitor and validate the performance of the recycled material, as the project went beyond existing French building standards. By working with the CSTB to validate the material, the project helped create a pathway for future circular projects and challenged existing regulations that limit the use of recycled content. The circular opportunity presented by Recygénie shows that big buildings can be constructed using only recycled materials, without a compromise on quality and safety. This helps keep waste out of landfills and encourages better use of resources. It sets an example in the field of sustainable building practices that can be used around the world ( Holcim, 2023 ). Climate Impact Recygénie has significantly reduced its environmental impact. The project's primary CO 2 savings come from using recycled materials to create new clinker, a process that avoids the high-temperature calcination of virgin limestone—the main source of cement's emissions. The project also diverted over 6,000 tons of construction and demolition waste from landfills and saved an equivalent amount of natural resources by recycling materials such as cement, aggregates, and water. These efforts demonstrate the potential of circular construction practices to lower carbon emissions, reduce waste, and conserve resources ( Holcim, 2023 ). Replicability The success of Recygénie proves that fully recycled concrete buildings are feasible and scalable. Holcim is replicating this model across the markets where it operates, adapting the solution to local building norms and material availability. In 2023, Holcim has recycled nearly 8.4 million tons of construction demolition materials ( Holcim, 2023 ). Several Irish companies are making great strides in the use of recycled cement and sustainable construction practices: Ecocem Ireland is a leading sustainable cement producer specializing in Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), a byproduct of the steel industry used as a low-carbon substitute for Portland cement. Their product significantly reduces embodied carbon in concrete while maintaining high performance. Techrete are Ireland’s largest architectural precast concrete façade specialist, Techrete has launched a sustainable concrete range with a 50% reduction in embodied carbon, driven by incorporating cement replacement materials and high-performance mixes. Trinity College Dublin & FLI Precast Solutions developed a groundbreaking low-carbon concrete using biomass ash, an industrial byproduct from Edenderry Power Station, reducing carbon emissions by over 50%. Kilsaran , a longstanding Irish concrete products producer, implemented CarbonCure technology, which injects recycled CO 2 into concrete to permanently mineralize it for a reduced carbon footprint. ALL CASE STUDIES

a5b70e0a-7b0b-46bb-a0ec-f139d0268178 CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: VOTECHNIK WEBSITE: VOTECHNIK.COM SECTOR : ELECTRONICS PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: WEEE, CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS About Votechnik Votechnik developed a series of cutting-edge innovative robotic technologies for Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) recycling. LCD is an electronic display that is found in smartphones, tablets, televisions, and many other electronics. Votechnik’s robotic technology removes components containing hazardous substances from LCDs (e.g., mercury-containing lamps), and prepare non- hazardous materials for recycling. The Challenge The electronics industry is one of the top eight industries responsible for more than half of the world’s total carbon footprint. In 2020, the equivalent of 580 million metric tons of CO2 were emitted by Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) ( Singh and Ogunseitan, 2022 ). That is more than the emissions generated by Canada in a year (525 million metric tons) ( World Bank, 2023 ). LCDs have become the dominant technology in devices that contain displays. The rate at which people replace their devices every year results in an avalanche of discarded electronic waste. In fact, only about 38% of electronics that enter the market are subsequently collected; the remainder are discarded ( European Commission, 2020 ). LCD monitors are among the most dangerous electronic devices to discard because they contain toxic metals, including mercury, which can harm both humans and the environment. LCDs also contain rare earth metals, such as indium, which is one of the earth’s least prevalent minerals ( Royal Society of Chemistry, 2023 ). If Indium recovery is not increased, reserves may become smaller, affecting the supply chain. The Circular Opportunity Votechnik emerged from the University of Limerick, backed by the European Commission, and supported by world- class industrial players such as Siemens and KUKA . Votechnik has spent the last 10 years developing, testing, and operating their technology to the highest industry standards. They are certified compliant with the European Standard EN50625 for WEEE treatment, and their business model is specifically designed to address the EU legislative WEEE Directive. Votechnik offers a wide range of LCD recycling technologies, one of them being their Indium Recovery System, which is designed specifically to extract indium from WEEE glass panels. Their indium recovery technology is called IND2000 and is supplied as a machine to recyclers who run the process with Votechnik’s support. Votechnik’s technology is used to release and capture indium from the glass panels, achieving high extraction rates and minimizing waste. Purification techniques are used to refine the extracted indium, ensuring its quality and suitability for reuse in various applications. Furthermore, clean glass fractions are generated from the process, which can be reused in the production of the new glass products. The Indium Recovery System is designed to comply with international standards and regulations. Climate Impact By recovering this critical raw material from waste electronics, Votechnik’s Indium Recovery System ensures a stable and reliable supply chain for businesses, by reducing dependence on imported indium from China. It further contributes to environmental preservation by efficiently extracting indium from glass panels, preventing it from being lost in landfills or incinerated, and reducing dependency on indium mining. Replicability The electronic device industry is growing. The combined sales of smartphones, televisions, and computers in 2021 were USD$ 880 billion, with growth rates in 2022 expected to range between 3% - 4% ( Stewart and Crossan, 2022 ). Votechnik has effectively incorporated a circular business model into the booming electronics market, decreasing virgin resource consumption while assisting Ireland in meeting its WEEE collection targets. Recovery and reuse are becoming increasingly prevalent as nations strive to meet climate targets. KMK Metals Recycling , another CIRCULÉIRE member, provides environmentally sound management of waste metal in all forms. They collect and process 75% of Ireland’s WEEE. KMK Metals are partners with Votechnik on both their IND2000 technology plus their ALR4000 technology. The ALR4000 technology depollutes LCD displays, allowing them to be shredded before the secondary raw materials are recovered. ALL CASE STUDIES

19c8a8d5-aefd-49f6-9c2d-16d77324d22a CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: HaPPE EARTH WEBSITE: HAPPEEARTH.COM SECTOR : MEDTECH PUBLISHED: 06 AUGUST 2025 TAGS: GREENHEALTHCARE, PPEWASTE, INNOVATION, SUSTAINABLEHEALTHCARE, MEDTECH, CIRCULARHEALTHCARE, ESG, COMPOSTABLE, BIOECONOMY, WASTEMANAGEMENT The Challenge Through its vitally important role in the protection of human health, the global healthcare sector generates an enormous and complex waste stream. If the global healthcare sector were a country, it would rank as the fifth-largest contributor to global CO₂ emissions, responsible for over 5% of total emissions, surpassing those from aviation or shipping sectors ( MedTech Europe, 2024 ). One-third of the carbon emissions generated by the healthcare sector, and most of its waste comes from medical devices ( Boston Consulting Group, 2024 ). Ninety percent of medical device waste primarily consists of single-use devices ( Health & EY, 2024 ). During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical waste became particularly visible, especially concerning Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is classified as any device or appliance designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more health and safety hazards ( HSA, 2025 ). Globally, an estimated 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves were used every month ( Prata et al., 2020 ). Typically, PPE is incinerated, and none is sent to landfill. However, during the pandemic, incinerators were so overrun that many countries were forced to send waste to landfill ( BMJ, 2021 ). By 2021, more than 8,000,000 tonnes of pandemic-associated plastic waste was generated globally, with more than 25,000 tonnes entering our oceans ( PNAS, 2021 ). An estimated 73% came from hospitals ( PNAS, 2021 ). PPE is an unquestionably necessary tool for saving lives. It prevents the spread of pathogens and infections and protects both frontline healthcare workers and patients. However, PPE such as face masks, gloves, and gowns are commonly manufactured from plastics such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate which can take as long as 450 years to decompose ( BMJ, 2021 ). Even when incinerated, PPE still releases greenhouse gases and contributes to air pollution ( Kumar et al., 2020 ). The challenge, therefore, is not to eliminate this essential equipment but to fundamentally redesign its lifecycle. The Circular Solution in Practice HaPPE Earth is an Irish company and CIRCULÉIRE member, founded in 2021. They make medically approved compostable PPE aprons from sustainably sourced, proprietary bio-resins. Bioresins are a type of polymer derived from renewable sources such as plants, cellulose, sugars, and other biological materials, instead of traditional petroleum-based sources ( Verde Bioresins, 2025 ). HaPPE Earth’s aprons are used the same as standard petroleum-based PPE aprons, but instead of being thrown away after use, they are sent to HaPPE Earth’s onsite medical biodigester system. The biodigester is offered as a first-of-its-kind Sustainable-Consumables-as-a-Service (SCAAS) business model and requires no capital investment from the healthcare service provider. The PPE aprons are composted alongside the healthcare provider’s food waste, where they break down in days in HaPPE Earth’s industrial composting process, resulting in a valuable, pathogen safe, nutrient-rich fertilizer. In addition, HaPPE Earth offers a real-time data monitoring tool allowing healthcare providers to track their plastic waste and CO 2 reduction and capture food waste data for use in their ESG reporting. The service is provided with a dedicated account management team to help with software integration and training, and technical support throughout the process. HaPPE Earth estimates the compostable apron and digestion system uses 75% less carbon emissions than standard single use aprons ( Health Innovation Hub Ireland, 2023 ). By managing waste on-site, the system saves on carbon emissions from transport while simultaneously preventing waste from entering waterways and avoiding air pollution from incineration. Furthermore, HaPPE Earth estimates their waste re-direction service can save the Irish Health Service approximately EUR €400,000.00, and reduce 8,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, all while eliminating PPE plastic waste. HaPPE Earth’s aprons are being trialled in over 20 hospitals in Ireland. However, any sector that uses PPE can use the HaPPE system – including pharmaceuticals, medical device industries and food preparation. Replicability Biodegradable and compostable PPE options are growing across Europe and North America, alongside trials of systems to digest and decompose the products effectively. Some notable examples of companies working to tackle the use of PPE in the healthcare sector include: Revolution-Zero focus on reusable alternatives to medical textiles, including isolation gowns, aprons, transfer sheets, curtains, and warm-up jackets. They offer direct purchase options or Product as a Service models, and offer software for operations, regulatory compliance, asset tracking and environmental reporting. AmorSui – offer a reusable line of PPE made from premium, machine washable materials. Their fabrics are recyclable, and they are currently developing a take-back programme and subscription model to fully align with their circular economy principles. ALL CASE STUDIES

MEMBERSHIP TESTIMONIALS OUR MEMBERS The future of business is circular. By adopting a circular economy model, you can unlock a wealth of benefits, including: Reducing waste and driving innovation. Improving efficiency and profitability. Prioritizing resource efficiency and responsible practices, to create a more transparent value chain, fostering trust with investors, regulators, and customers. Understanding policy developments and meeting regulatory requirements. Working together we aim to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Ireland and to close the circular innovation gap through cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration between Industry, government & public bodies and research organisations. Membership Opportunities The CIRCULÉIRE Network is your gateway to a thriving community of experts and innovators. Join us and Contribute to unlocking the value that resides in an Irish circular economy. Gain a competitive edge. Benefit from first-mover advantage in resource efficiency and innovative revenue models. Expand your knowledge and network. Connect with experts and peers, broadening your perspective on circularity. Simplify ESG and CSRD reporting. CIRCULÉIRE helps you communicate your emissions reduction efforts transparently. Benefit from a range of funded business supports CIRCULÉIRE Member Services 01 Baseline Estimation INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP Establish a baseline hotspot estimation for your overall emissions –Scope 1 to Scope 3 Yearly estimation & impact analysis Starting point on your journey to a full GHG assessment Government subsidized – market value of 10k - 20k+ 02 Circular Maturity Assessment INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP Annual self-assessment Stimulate internal dialogue around circularity and your business Understand circular capabilities Establish baseline and benchmark circular performance Gain recommendations to improve Circular Performance Government subsidized – market value of approx. 5k 03 Circularity Action Planning ADDITIONAL COST Understand circular capabilities Visualise how resources are used in your value chain(s) Identify where structural waste is occurring Identify circular oriented innovation opportunities to reduce costs, improve supply-chain resilience and create new value propositions CSRD Relevance ESRS E1 Climate Change ESRS E5 Resource use & Circular Economy ESRS E5 Resource use & Circular Economy Best Practice and Insights Resources: Insight into National and European circular innovation funding opportunities. Policy & regulation updates to help you understand and prepare for regulations that will impact your operations. Access to our Circular Economy Knowledge Library containing a range of support resources and thought leadership such as policy documents, case studies, webinars and much more. Access to CIRCULÉIRE’s Good Practice Sectoral Guides highlight the best Circular Economy practices in a variety of sectors. Networking and Collaboration: Invites to a yearly calendar of interactive networking events. Share and gain knowledge with over 50 innovative companies working on their circular transition and business model innovation across multiple sectors. Meet Circularity Experts through participating in CIRCULÉIRE Thematic Working Group Sessions, and expert lead information webinars. Opportunities to host quarterly network meetings at your site. Regular communications and check ins to support your circular transition and innovation ambitions. By joining CIRCULÉIRE your organisation is signaling commitment to circular economy transition and knowledge sharing within and outside the network. We encourage members to make a voluntary commitment to contribute towards a collective goal of Co2 and waste reduction. Fees are based on company size and number of employees in your organisation. Next Steps Please submit your Member Participation enquiry through the form below with detail on where you are on your circular transition journey and your specific needs. Our member engagement team will set up a 30 minute introductory call to give you an overview of CIRCULÉIRE and our fee structure according to your company size. We will refer you to the relevant team leads to and start the onboarding process and determine your circular transition pathway. You will be added to the network communications list and will be contacted in relation to our calendar of events and have full access to the Members Only Knowledge Library. Our Engagement Lead will schedule regular check ins to ensure that you are maximising your membership. 2024 CIRCULÉIRE Circular Venture Accelerator Cohort IMR Circular Economy Team - 2024 CIRCULÉIRE Conference 2024 CIRCULÉIRE Circular Venture Accelerator Cohort 1/12 Testimonials "The participation with CIRCULÉIRE helped the organization start the journey of understand the principles of Circular economy and the importance of the transition from linear to circular model." Camila Batista, Sustainability Leader. Masonite Our Members AGRI FOOD & DRINK AUTOMOTIVE BIO PHARMA CHEM BUILT ENVIRONMENT CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES GOVERNMENT ICT/WEEE MEDICAL DEVICES PLASTICS SECOND LIFE ENABLERS TEXTILES & FASHION Contact Us Company Name Company Sector Choose an option Company Address Email Code Phone Website The Circular Economy Area(s) we are interested in Choose an option(s) Where are you on your Circularity Journey * Emerging - just starting to think about it and how to get started Piloting - tested a number of initiatives and are keen to do more Well Developed - Circularity is embedded into our core business operations and we are demonstrating significant cost savings and waste reduction Please outline your current circular economy initiatives Send

8c3cab76-fc07-43ee-8b7f-cc1e19ca85c6 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: NORSK OMBRUK WEBSITE: NORSKOMBRUK.NO SECTOR : WEEE PUBLISHED: 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 TAGS: REMANUFACTURING, WEEE, EWASTE, WHITEGOODS, EXTENDEDPRODUCERRESPONSIBILITY, EPR, APPLIANCEREPAIR, RESOURCEEFFICIENCY The Challenge Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream, increasing faster than global population growth. In 2022, approximately 14.4 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment were placed on the market in the EU, with an official WEEE collection rate of around 40% according to the European Environment Agency ( EEA, 2025 ). This rate remains below the EU’s 65% target established under the WEEE Directive. In Ireland, 63,946 tonnes of WEEE were collected in 2023, reflecting a collection rate of approximately 43.6%, a significant drop from 51.2% in 2022 and 63.8% in 2021 ( EPA, 2025 ). WEEE is associated with major environmental and health risks due to toxic material content, energy consumption in production, and improper disposal. In 2020, WEEE contributed an estimated 580 million metric tonnes of CO2e emissions globally ( Singh and Ogunseitan, 2022 ). This makes effective circular management essential. The Circular Solution Norsk Ombruk AS is a Norwegian Remanufacturing company established in 2013, certified for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is a policy approach that makes producers responsible for managing the environmental impacts of their products throughout the product lifecycle, including waste collection, recycling, and disposal at end-of-life. Discarded kitchen, laundry, and bathroom appliances make up the majority of global e-waste, accounting for around 60%, with washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and electric stoves contributing approximately 11.8 million tonnes annually ( Earthshine, 2024 ). Norsk Ombruk extends the useful life of household electrical goods such as refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, and dryers, playing a leading role in Norway’s shift toward a more circular electronics sector. Norway’s EPR policies have fostered circular business models like Norsk Ombruk’s, which partners with leading electronics producers (e.g., Ikea , Elkjøp ), municipalities, and second-hand shops to collect used household appliances ( Elektronikkbransjen, 2022 ). Once Norsk Ombruk receives a product, it is inspected, barcoded, and entered into a quality control system. About 48% pass detailed diagnostics and are repairable, while non-repairable products are dismantled for parts recovery and the remaining materials are recycled. Repairable units are cleaned, assigned a tailored work schedule, refurbished or upgraded by certified skilled technicians, then rigorously tested to ensure quality. Once complete, products undergo a final hygienic cleaning before being dispatched to major retailers or sold via second-hand dealers or Norsk Ombruk’s own Sandefjord shop at around half the price of a new model. This collaborative, efficient workflow extends product and brand life while maximising resource use and environmental benefits ( Earthshine, 2024 ). A two-year guarantee on all remanufactured goods provides consumers with confidence and access to affordable, high-quality appliances. In 2016 alone, Norsk Ombruk remanufactured over 12,300 appliances and reported annual sales of €1.8 million, and by 2024 the company had extended the life of more than 100,000 products that would otherwise have become waste ( Earthshine, 2024 ). Success in Norway has led to expansion into other European markets, including the establishment of a similar business in Denmark under the name Resirk ( Elektronikkbransjen, 2022 ). Climate and Societal Impact Remanufacturing electrical appliances provides significant climate and resource benefits by displacing demand for new goods, reducing waste, and promoting resource efficiency. According to independent analysis, Norsk Ombruk’s activities in 2016 saved 2,713 tonnes of embedded CO 2 , nearly 13 million kWh of embedded energy, and €2.3 million in raw material value—resulting in cumulative benefits valued at €9.4 million ( Earthshine, 2024 ). These savings translate to lower product costs for consumers, which is especially meaningful for lower-income households. The business model also eases the regulatory burden for retailers and municipalities while supporting national circularity targets. Replicability The European remanufacturing market is projected to reach €90 billion by 2030 ( ERN, 2024 ). Regulations such as the EU Waste Framework Directive and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation are strengthening producer responsibility and incentivising circularity across Europe ( ERN, 2024 ). Remanufacturing initiatives like Norsk Ombruk offer a scalable, proven pathway to cut emissions, retain value, and deliver social and economic wins for Ireland as it advances toward its national circular economy targets. Other examples of Irish remanufacturers include: Glen Dimplex Ireland repair and refurbish white goods and household appliances, including cooking appliances, water heaters, TVs, and electric fires. They use spare parts from returned appliances to refurbish or repair other units, reducing the need for new parts ( WEEE Ireland, 2024 ). GreenIT are one of Ireland’s pioneers in IT remanufacturing and circular economy, offering remanufactured IT devices with warranty and comprehensive quality assurance ( CIRCULÉIRE, 2025 ) Finline Furniture take back and remanufacture their pre-loved high-quality sofas offering them at an affordable price and a 20 year guarantee ( CIRCULÉIRE, 2025 ). A Note on the Differences Between Repair, Refurbishment & Remanufacture Repair is the most basic intervention, focused on fixing a specific fault to get a product back into working order. This process typically involves minimal disassembly and only addresses the failed part without assessing the overall condition of the item. The goal is to restore function, not to improve the product's lifespan or appearance. Refurbishment goes a step further than repair. It involves restoring a used product to a functional, but not necessarily "like-new," condition. The focus is on fixing obvious faults and improving its cosmetic appearance. Parts are repaired or replaced as needed, but the product is not completely disassembled. A refurbished item will often have a limited warranty and may not meet original performance specifications. Remanufacture is the most rigorous and comprehensive process. It involves disassembling the product completely, inspecting all individual components, and replacing or restoring worn-out or obsolete parts with a combination of reused, repaired, and new parts. The goal is to return the product to a like-new or better-than-new condition in terms of performance, appearance, and quality. A remanufactured product typically comes with a new warranty that is equivalent to or better than the original product's warranty. ALL CASE STUDIES

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WHAT WE DO CIRCULAR BUSINESS SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & POLICY ENGAGEMENTS ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATION HOTSPOT BASELINE ASSESSMENTS CIRCULAR MATURITY MODEL CIRCULAR ACTION PLAN CIRCULAR ECONOMY ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUNDING SUPPORTS POLICY INNOVATION GHG (Hotspot) Baseline CIRCULÉIRE is raising awareness and capacity building with our member participants to explore and report not only Scope 1 & 2 emissions, but also Scope 3 emissions on an annual basis. The CIRCULÉIRE baseline assessment provides you with a Hotspot Baseline for your estimated emissions across scope 1, 2 and 3 which provide an indicator of how your organisation is performing over time. Completing a baseline assessment annually will help your organisation to: Inform carbon reduction target setting Establish internal data collection and data management practices Enable transparent communication about your emissions reduction efforts – as part of ESG and CSRD reporting requirements. GHG (Hotpost) Baseline Steps Circular Maturity Model Transitioning from the current linear economy of ‘Take, Make and Waste’ to a circular economy where ‘waste’ is designed out of the system is not something that is done overnight. Nor is it something that is done by one or two people within in an organisation. It requires a broader conversation across the entire organisation to make that shift from a linear to a circular mindset. CIRCULÉIRE’s Circular Maturity Model (CMM) is an online self-assessment toolkit designed to facilitate that conversation. Key benefits of the CMM tool are: Stimulate a dialogue around what circularity means for your business Understand your circular economy capabilities Establish (Annual) Circular Maturity Baseline & Benchmark Circularity Performance Gain recommendations to improve Circular Economy Performance Visual Reporting Tool - representing your current and targeted circularity levels Easy-to-Use Online Tool - functionality for both individual and multi-user assessments Circular Action Plan For those organisation's interested in finding ways to save money and add value to your business operations, we offer a comprehensive assessment and customised action plan. Over the course of 12 to 16 weeks, our team will work closely with you through on-site visits, workshops, and interviews to: Understand the current environmental impacts of your production processes and supply chain, focusing on materials, water, and energy usage. Identify areas where circular economy strategies are already in practice. Analyze how resources are utilized throughout your value chain and pinpoint where inefficiencies occur. Brainstorm innovative ideas for reducing costs, enhancing supply chain resilience, and create new value opportunities through circular strategies. Develop a customized action plan outlining short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals for implementing circular economy practices, allowing for ongoing monitoring and performance tracking. Circular Ventures Accelerator From 2020 to 2023, CIRCULÉIRE in collaboration with Tangent, Trinity’s Idea Workspace delivered Ireland’s first accelerator dedicated to scaling circular ventures. This programme is a combination of non-equity funding and expert mentoring that supports mid-level start-ups to expand their innovative business models and impact Ireland’s Net-Zero Carbon ambitions. The programme empowers Ireland’s circular economy entrepreneurs to scale their circular solutions and find markets. CIRCULÉIRE's Circular Venture Accelerator aims to support late-stage circular economy ventures to scale by introducing innovators to System Thinking for circularity, helping them refine their customers profiling, improving their ability to leverage multiple funding opportunities, getting them familiar with tools to measure circular performance and master their storytelling. We are committed to give circular economy innovators, who wish to avail of highly specialized circularity mentorship and business acceleration support, access to a diverse pool of mentors, coaches and subject experts. 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Arcology Systems Arcology System is a revolutionary smart and data-driven interior construction system that offers modularity and adaptability. This system unlocks circular economy value in the way commercial fitouts are financed, procured, built and managed for REIT’s, developers and end-users. Ériu Ériu is reviving the lost legacy of Irish Wool. Ériu yarn is made from the softest Irish wool, hand selected, processed and designed entirely in Ireland. They are proud to be the first Irish knitwear brand whose products are exclusively Irish sourced and made through our ‘Farm to Yarn’ sustainable initiative and sourced from a trusted network of farmers around Ireland, as well as Ériu’s own farm in Wicklow. THE FACTORY The FACTORY is on a mission to reinvent the traditionally wasteful and plastic-reliant signage industry by utilising wood, cardboard and other more Earth-friendly materials. The company uses green energy for production, and is reimagining their signage systems with so reuse is at its core. Tympany Medical Tympany Medical are designing endoscopes at the leading edge of design, electronics, photonics, and engineering. Tympany deliver first in class endoscopes to the ENT market and beyond to allow surgeons to maximise visualisation in minimally invasive surgery. UsedFULLY UsedFULLY is creating science-based solutions for unwanted clothing and textiles. Their vision is to circularise textile resources and measure impacts to reduce waste and emissions. The company seeks to Implement new technologies and circular business models at scale to ensure the full value of textile resources are maximised thereby reducing the environmental impacts of clothing and textiles. Well Spent Grain Well Spent Grain are committed to reducing the impact of food waste in the supply chain by upcycling brewer’s spent grain (which is underutilized and wasted in the food supply chain), into healthy sustainable snacks that are available for sale in retail stores. Harley & Marley Harley & Marley launched “Planet Loving Pets” a super-premium range of fish-based pet treats made from sustainable and nutritious ingredients in Ireland. The company’s range is made by Origin Green Gold Members Atlantis Seafood of Kilmore Quay, Wexford and the first range features four products. Their treats are made of locally caught fish, under Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)’s Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP), meaning it is all sustainably fished and traceable. IFF Plastics IFF Plastics turns waste plastic (farm, industrial and ocean plastic) into top quality fence posts using a closed loop recycling service. They partner with farmers, business, and customers to deliver a circular plastics business model. Niskus Biotec Niskus Biotec is focused on the provision of innovative products and services to the agri-food and biotech sectors in fungal large-scale solid-state fermentation. The company works with customers to select the most suitable fungal strains for their process and growing media and to develop and scale-up new fungal derived high-value products such as proteins, enzymes, and intermediates. Sensi Sensi is a cleantech company that has developed the world’s first Smart RVM (Reverse Vending Machine) using Visual Artificial Intelligence. Their products incorporate advanced visual recognition technology and digital rewards, enabling deposit return schemes for several recyclable materials and reusable products to ensure the collection of uncontaminated streams of material. Verifact Verifact are a cloud-based sustainability platform that enables supply chain information to be captured and stored securely. This data is then used to validate the supply chain claims including circular economy related claims. Avoca Seafood Avoca Seafood is an aquaculture company dedicated to raising Atlantic salmon in a responsible and eco-friendly way. Utilizing a state-of-the-art Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), Avoca raises fish entirely on land within a controlled environment. Allowing for continuous production while maintaining optimal conditions for the fish and minimizing environmental impact. Biowave Biowave technology is the sustainable solution for converting waste streams to bioavailable resources. Bio wave take difficult to treat organic wastes and convert them to a form that is ready for downstream biological processing. Digital Array Control Systems (DACS) DACS has developed a battery management system to extend the useful lifespan of lithium battery packs. This unit costs 8-12% of the basic array but doubles lifespan and prevents capacity loss. I am not a Virgin A high-quality clothing and shoe company, specializing in 100% recycled or biodegradable a high-quality clothing and shoe company, developing 3D printed footwear from secondary raw materials. ZeroNet The world’s first cloud-based technology platform designed explicitly around the logistical requirements of the Circular Economy. The ZeroNet app launched in Brighton & Hove in 2020 in partnership with Tech-Takeback. It will launch in Ireland in 2024. The service is designed to radically streamline the domestic recovery of unwanted small electrical and electronic devices. Electric Avenue Bikes Electric Avenue are a bike-share provider that is exploring the modularity of their bikes and batteries, which creates the potential to remanufacturer them at the end of each lifecycle. Applying this method, they double the life span of a lithium-ion battery pack and keep bikes on the road and out of landfills for longer. Jiminy Eco Toys Jiminy Eco Toys is an eco-specialist toy company, retailing and distributing the earth-kindest toys across Ireland & the UK that address the problem of toys that are wrapped in plastic packaging. Founder Sharon Keilthy set up Jiminy to give eco-minded customers more options. KnowCarbon KnowCarbon are a digital and traceability venture that provides transparent, actionable data to companies and consumers on carbon. ReFunk ReFunk is a female-owned, one-stop eCommerce platform that promotes the circular economy by buying, selling and commissioning pre-loved and upcycled furniture through their marketplace. Returnr Returnr is eliminating single-use food and beverage packaging in cafes and independent retailers through a B2C deposit return scheme for reusable food and beverage packaging. Blade Bridge BladeBridge repurposes retired wind turbine blades into sustainable infrastructure such as bridges and e-bike charging hubs. Wind blades are made from a composite material which is incredibly strong and durable and can be used to substitute raw materials such as steel and concrete for lower carbon & lower maintenance products Finline Furniture Revive by Finline Furniture is an initiative that not only promotes circularity but also supports social causes and customer loyalty. This take back scheme gives old furniture a second life. We restore and resell it, reducing waste and promoting sustainability thereby making a positive impact on the environment and society as a whole. HaPPE Earth HaPPE Earth have created bio-digestible (compostable) Personal Protective Equipment, such as single use splash aprons, using sustainably sourced bio-resin. The PPE is used as before but this time, the value is recovered by using our HaPPE onsite medical bio-digester creating a pathogen safe, nutrient rich fertiliser, resin recapture or biofuel potential. Rezero Rezero eliminates waste by preventing millions of unused cigarettes from being incinerated annually, addressing a global issue. By isolating cellulose acetate from the cigarette filters, Rezero manufactures sustainable products like buttons and eyewear frames, reducing reliance on virgin materials and supporting the circular economy in the fashion industry and beyond. Shareclub Shareclub offers innovative circular packaging solutions for events, workplaces, and takeaway services, designed to cut costs and minimise waste. Utilising QR-enabled reusables, shareclub tracks usage and impact, providing event hosts and corporate partners with quantifiable insights on their reduction of disposable items and CO2 emissions, enhancing sustainability reporting. European Level Funding Supports Horizon LIFE Programme Innovation Fund Circular Bio-based Europe Just Transition Fund Horizon Europe Horizon Europe is European Union’s primary funding program for research and innovation. The programme funds large scale international research projects on a variety of topics including the circular economy and sustainability. Objectives: Improving European competitiveness through innovation. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. For most call proposals you must apply as a team of at least three partner organization from three different EU or associated countries, at least one being from an EU country. Total Funding: Budget of EUR 95.5 billion for the period of 2021-2027. Availability: Funding opportunities all year around, deadlines dependent on specific calls. LEARN MORE Innovation Fund The Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low carbon technologies, especially with an emphasis on energy and industry. It focuses on projects with European added value that can bring significant emission and greenhouse gas reductions. Objectives: Support and foster innovation in low-carbon technologies and processes across Europe. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: The Innovation Fund’s total budget is dependent on the carbon price and it is estimated to be c.€40 billion over 2020 to 2030. Availability: Regular calls throughout the year. LEARN MORE EU LIFE Programe LIFE funding is the European fund for Environment Nature Conservation and Climate Action. LIFE funds close-to market projects providing up to 55% co-funding of project costs. Objectives: Support the transition towards a resource efficient society. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: Ranging from €1 million up to €5m per project. Availability: April-September (Opens 18th April 2024) LEARN MORE Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBIJU) is a €2 billion partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium which builds on the success of its’ predecessor, the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) . Objectives: Develop new technologies to transform renewable natural resources into bio-based products. Target audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: For 2024 the call budget is €213 million. Availability: Calls opened 24th April 2024 and close on 18th September 2024. LEARN MORE EU Just Transition Fund The EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF) is Pillar 1 of the European Union Just Transition Mechanism. Its purpose is to assist the most affected territories in transitioning to a climate-neutral economy. In Ireland, the EUJTF supports the economic transition of the Midlands region and focuses on upskilling and employment projects in green enterprise. Target Audience(s): Private, public, and community and voluntary organisations. Total Funding: Budget of €169 million from 2021-2027. Availability: July LEARN MORE National and All-Island Funding Supports Green Transition Fund DECC CEIGS EPA Research Call Intertrade Ireland Enterprise Ireland Green Transition Fund The Green Transition Fund supports companies across each of the different aspects of their decarbonisation journey – from initial planning and capability building to investment, research, and innovation. The fund is comprised of two separate streams: The Climate Planning Fund for Business includes the following opportunities: Climate Action Voucher: €1,800 for advisory support to develop an initial sustainability/decarbonization/circular economy strategy and action plan Green Start: Up to €5,000 to fund consultancy to introduce environmental best practice systems. Green Plus: up to €50,000 support for training project to improve environmental management capability. Strategic Consultancy: Up to €35,000 support to assist large energy user to develop carbon reduction roadmap. Audience: High-potential start-ups, SME and large enterprise can apply to all the above, except from GreenPlus which is available only for SME and large enterprise. Availability: any time. The Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund include the following opportunities: Capital investment for Energy Monitoring & Tracking Systems: Up to €50,000 for companies to put in place systems to monitor energy usage. Capital Investment for Decarbonisation processes: Up to €1m to support companies to decarbonise their manufacturing combustion processes. Innovation and R&D Grants: From €5,000 innovation vouchers to large scale R&D projects in the areas of sustainability and decarbonisation. Audience: Manufacturing, SMEs and large enterprises. Availability: any time. LEARN MORE EPA Research Call 2024 The call aims to support innovative research projects to support policy-and decision-making addressing environmental, climate change and sustainability challenges. Applicant may apply under a range of broad thematic areas including facilitating a circular economy. Objectives: Enhance Ireland’s competitiveness and resilience and inform policy innovation. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: €14.3m awarded in 2023 Availability: April Green Enterprise Funding: Innovation for a Circular Economy The Green Enterprise funding aims to support innovators in Ireland to develop, demonstrate and implement circular economy approaches in their business models. It is managed through the EPA-led Circular Economy Programme and is co-funded by EPA Research. Objective: Support innovation projects for the implementation of circular economy approaches in business models. Target Audience(s): Research organisations, SMEs, multinationals. Total Funding: Up to €100,000 (this is information of 2022) Availability: 2024 Call is closed - Updates to come on 2025 Call LEARN MORE Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) is a Government of Ireland initiative led by DECC. The purpose of this grants scheme is to provide support to projects which work in the Circular Economy space, with the aim of advancing the Circular Economy in Ireland and raising awareness of its need. Objective: support Irish businesses develop circular solutions in product and service design, production. Target Audience(s): social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations and small/medium businesses (defined here as less than 50 employees). Total Funding: c.€500,000 per call with indicative grant €50,000 for 1-year projects. Availability: The 2024 call opened on 19th June 2024 and closes on 19th July 2024 LEARN MORE Intertrade Ireland Innovation Boost The Innovation Boost aims to support cross-border business on the island of Ireland through developing and embedding innovation through facilitating and funding an academic partner to help industry overcome an innovation or technology gap. Objective: Support innovation projects for the implementation of circular economy business models. Target Audience(s): Indigenous SME on manufacturing or tradeable services Total Funding: c. €50,000 Availability: All year round. Innovation Boost B2B The Innovation Boost B2B aims to support innovative cross-border partnerships and promote business collaborate to solve problems. Objective: Support innovation projects for the implementation of circular economy business models. Target Audience(s): Indigenous SME on manufacturing or tradeable services Total Funding: Provides up to €50,000 per partner. Availability: All year round. LEARN MORE LEARN MORE Policy Innovation CIRCULÉIRE's involvement in policy advisory groups and legislative discussions exemplifies our collective commitment to advancing the circular economy agenda in Ireland. Through strategic collaborations, expert representation, and thought leadership, we actively contribute to the formulation of policies that drive sustainable practices, innovation, and economic growth. As we engage with policymakers and industry stakeholders, our aim is to create an environment where circular principles thrive and pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous Ireland. At CIRCULÉIRE, we actively engage with key policy initiatives and decision-making processes that affect our Industry members to support the adoption of their circular transition in Ireland. CIRCULÉIRE team members play an active roles in advisory groups led by government and state agencies, such as the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC), the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) , the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). We contribute on behalf of Industry members with insights, knowledge, and industry experience to inform the policy decision making process DECC Construction Advisory Group DECC Textiles Advisory Group DECC Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy Advisory Group DAFM Irish Bioeconomy Forum EPA Food Waste Action Group EPA National Reuse and Repair Network NSAI National Committee on Circular Economy - NSAI/TC066