The Innovation Fund empowers organisations across Ireland to develop innovative circular economy solutions through collaboration. By supporting partnerships, the fund helps deliver projects that reduce waste, extend product lifecycles, improve resource efficiency, and create sustainable economic and environmental benefits. Innovation Fund 2026 FIND OUT MORE Powering circularity through collaboration. About the Fund The CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund 2026 supports collaborative circular economy demonstration projects that help Irish industry test, demonstrate and scale practical circular solutions. The Fund is designed to help organisations de-risk innovation, build cross-sector partnerships and generate learning that can support wider adoption across the CIRCULÉIRE network and the wider circular economy ecosystem. The Innovation Fund is not intended to support one-off pilots in isolation. Our goal is to identify and back the most promising circular innovations—projects capable of delivering tangible environmental, social and economic benefits while helping to accelerate Ireland’s transition to a circular economy Successful applicants will clearly articulate both the short-term and longer-term impacts their project seeks to achieve and how these will be measured. Projects should generate practical learning, evidence and transferable insights that can benefit the wider CIRCULÉIRE network and the broader circular economy ecosystem. Supporting Industry-Led Circular Transformation We are particularly seeking projects that demonstrate: Funding Impactful Projects with Potential to Scale Applications must be led by a CIRCULÉIRE member and involve collaboration between at least two organisations. We are particularly seeking projects that demonstrate: A clear circular economy opportunity or challenge Strong collaboration between industry, research and/or value chain partners A credible and measurable pathway to impact Alignment with CIRCULÉIRE's circular economy impact priorities High potential for replication, scale-up and wider market adoption. Supporting Industry-Led Circular Transformation Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) welcomes the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment's support for the relaunch of the CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund. The Fund provides a vital opportunity for organisations to access RD&I funding dedicated to collaborative circular economy innovation. We encourage all CIRCULÉIRE members to build ambitious, high-potential consortia and bring forward the ideas, technologies and partnerships that will help shape Ireland's circular future. Ready to Apply? Explore the Application Guide , eligibility criteria and supporting resources to start building your consortium and shaping a high-impact circular innovation project. READ GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS Funding Range The CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund 2026 will support projects across three indicative funding bands: Small scale projects: up to €50,000 grant requested Medium scale projects: up to €150,000 grant requested Large scale projects: up to €250,000 grant requested The maximum grant requested must not exceed €250,000 per project. The grant requested is not the same as the total project cost. The total project cost may be higher where partner contribution is required. Projects may be 6 or 12 months in duration. Further information about co-funding rates (etc.) can be found in the Guide for Applicants document . Deadline & Countdown The deadline for full proposal submissions is 31st August 2026 at 23:59 Irish time. Applications must be submitted through the CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund 2026 online submission platform, hosted on AwardForce. Applicants should allow sufficient time to complete all online fields, upload all required documents and check that the information entered in the platform matches the uploaded Application Form and Project Budget Application Workbook. Days Hours Min Until applications close APPLY NOW Please cross-check the Application Checklist (Section 7 of the Application Form) to ensure all required documentation has been uploaded. Late applications will not be considered. Please ensure the email used to register on Awards Force is the same as that used in the application form . Past Funded Projects From 2020 to 2022, CIRCULÉIRE actively supported the development of a circular economy in Ireland through a dedicated Innovation Pilot Project Fund. Backed by our strategic partners —DCEE, EPA, and EIT Climate-KIC— the Innovation Pilot Project financed 10 large-scale, system-wide innovation projects within the CIRCULÉIRE network.  Visit the CIRCULÉIRE website for an overview of the successful projects, case studies and other useful resources The 2022 Innovation Fund brought together Farrell Furniture and ATU Connemara to collaborate on the project Do More with Less, advancing furniture remanufacturing and design preservation. Guidance for Applicants Applicants should review the Guide for Applicants and cross-check the Submission Checklist before preparing a submission. The Guide explains the fund objectives, eligibility requirements, funding rates, budget rules, selection criteria, evaluation process, communication outputs, De Minimis requirements and award conditions. Applicants should also review the Application Form, Project Budget Application Workbook, De Minimis Aid & UiD Declaration Form, FAQs and Terms and Conditions before submitting. Application Form Download De Minimis Aid & UiD Declaration Form Download Project Budget Application Workbook Download FAQs The FAQs document provides practical answers to common applicant questions, covering everything from how to submit through Awards Force, what documents must be uploaded, who can lead or participate in project, how funding rates apply, how De Minimis works, what budget rules apply, and what communication outputs are expected from funded projects. Applicants are encouraged to review the FAQs document before contacting the CIRCULÉIRE team, as many common eligibility, budget and submission questions are addressed there. READ FAQs Terms & Conditions Applicants should review the CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund 2026 Terms & Conditions before submitting an application. The Terms & Conditions set out the obligations that apply to funded projects, including use of funding, eligible costs, reporting and monitoring, payment arrangements, project changes, completion requirements, De Minimis and State Aid compliance, data protection, audit access and other grant management responsibilities. If a project is approved for funding, the Lead Partner and relevant Project Partners will be required to comply with the Terms & Conditions, the Letter of Offer, the Guide for Applicants, the approved Application Form and the Project Budget Application Workbook. READ TERMS & CONDITIONS Call for Evaluators Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is establishing a pool of international expert evaluators to assess applications for the CIRCULÉIRE Innovation Fund 2026 . We welcome applications from independent evaluators who can assess the quality of the Innovation Fund 2026 entries in September 2026 READ MORE Other Resources Watch our recap information session below Watch our Website & AwardForce Application Tutorial Website and awardforce application tutorial Read Application Clinic Presentation presentation application clinic innovation fund Watch our Application Clinic Session video application clinic innovation fund Strategic Partners Page Menu Close All-Island Venture Award 2026 About the Fund Application Guide Funding Range Deadline and Countdown Past Funded Projects Documents for Application FAQ Terms and Conditions Call for Evaluators Resources and media Strategic Partners

Our Members Bank of Ireland 2 College Green, Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland NA NA https://www.bankofireland.com/ Financial Services Well Spent Grain Greenhills Road, Greenhills, Dublin 12, Ireland +353 '(0)86 171 4815 NA https://well-spent-grain.com/ Agri-Food Know Carbon 12 Clarinda Park East, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Co. Dublin, A96 PP78, Ireland +353 (0)86 851 4503 eamonn.galvin@knowcarbon.com https://knowcarbon.com/ ICT/EEE Wyeth Nutrition Askeaton, County Limerick, Ireland +353 (0)61 601 200 askeaton.security@wyethnutrition.com https://www.wyethnutrition.com/ Agri-Food & Drink Arcology Service Fern Road, Sandyford, Dublin, Ireland +353 (0)87 065 7450 info@arcologyint.com http://www.arcologysystem.com/ Built Environment Masonite Derryoughter, County Leitrim, N41 CC94, Ireland +353 (0)71 965 9500 NA https://www.masonite.com/ Built Environment Farrell John Street, Ardee, Co. Louth, A92 NN53 +353 (0) 41 685 3418 info@farrell.ie http://www.farrell.ie Built Environment Decotek Automotive Mullingar Road, Collinstown, County Westmeath, Ireland +353 (0)44 966 6600 info@decotek.com https://decotek.com/ Automotive Wisetek Ballincolly, Cork, T23 RX03, Ireland +353 21 455 6920 enquiries@wisetek.net https://wisetek.net/ ICT/EEE IFF Plastics Ltd Cloonwhite North, County Clare, Ireland +353 (0)65 9050773 info@iff.ie https://iff.ie/ Second-Life Enablers

The Circular Venture Accelerator 2026 supports late‑stage circular start-ups with expert-led guidance, industry integration, and hands-on commercial scaling support. Over six months, ventures work with circularity specialists and IMR experts to strengthen business models, advance technology, adopt circular metrics, and prepare for investment. The programme offers funding, industry engagement, prototyping access, and tailored mentoring to accelerate growth and build market‑ready solutions. EXPLORE THE PROGRAMME Circular Venture Accelerator 2026 Scaling-up circular innovation. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA & APPLICATION About the Programme The Circular Venture Accelerator is designed and delivered by Irish Manufacturing Research and funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment as part of CIRCULÉIRE - Ireland's first cross-sectoral industry-led innovation network established in 2020. Built specifically for late-stage start-ups and scaling innovators, the Circular Venture Accelerator 2026 is a high-impact, industry-embedded programme that helps ambitious circular ventures prepare for commercial scaling, enterprise adoption, and investment readiness. Ventures accepted to this six-month programme will work closely with leading circularity experts, Irish Manufacturing Research specialists, and experienced industry members. They will strengthen their business model, accelerate product and technology development, adopt circular metrics, anticipate and align with policy shifts, and become investment and partnership-ready.  Designed for late-stage circular ventures to sharpen strategy, scale operations, prove economics, and prepare for partnerships or funding rounds. Deep Industry Integration provides access to the largest circular economy industry network in Ireland and the Industry Members Advisory Group (IMAG). Commercial scaling at its core , enabling ventures to quantify metrics that matter and turn compliance into a competitive advantage. Expert-led thematic modules on commercial positioning, enterprise growth, circular business models, regulatory alignment, impact metrics, storytelling, and pitching. Two immersive, residential bootcamps focused on strategy, execution, and investor preparation. One-to-one mentoring and peer-to-peer sessions , events and forums. What Ventures Can Expect Ventures will experience a targeted, industry-embedded scale-up journey designed to accelerate commercial growth, strengthen strategic clarity, and build investor readiness.  Benefits include: € 5,000 Equity-Free Funding. Free CIRCULÉIRE Membership for 2026 , unlocking ecosystem access, networking, and wide-ranging circularity resources and supports. Direct industry engagement  through IMAG's real-world insights, validation, and collaboration opportunities. Access to IMR’s prototyping, testing, and technology development facilities  to support product and manufacturing advancement. Hands on funding support , including RD&I pathways, grant identification, and funding readiness preparation.  ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA & APPLICATION Selected Ventures IMR is proud to announce the Circular Venture Accelerator 2026 Cohort and to welcome them to CIRCULÉIRE . Ábhar Materials Ltd Ábhar Materials provides an off-take route for the waste offcuts and sawdust generated by workshops and joineries. This stream is commonly burnt, landfilled or sold as low-value animal bedding. Their patent-pending Grow-then-Lock™ bio-based process converts it into structural composite panels with no added formaldehyde, displacing virgin wood and petrochemical resin imports. About Bounce Back Recycling (BBR) Bounce Back Recycling (BBR) is one of Ireland's leading mattress recycling operators. From its Galway City facility, BBR processes 60,000+ mattresses annually for retailers, local authorities and consumers across 13 counties, recovering steel, polyurethane foam, textiles  and timber for return to the circular economy and upcycling other bulky waste. About Celestine Materials & Innovation Celestine Materials & Innovation is designed to systemically innovate the valorisation of waste streams as raw material feedstock, transformed into smart material solutions. Working within industry and manufacturing systems, they reapply proven technologies to create accessible, low-carbon products that offer replacements to synthetic inputs and support Ireland’s transition to a circular, resilient economy. About Ecokinly EcoKinly is a challenger hygiene brand enabling the circular economy by empowering consumers to replace single-use linear hygiene products, such as nappies, wipes and period pads, with durable, reusable alternatives. Ecokinly supports consumer waste reduction within the household and supports sustainable reuse habits. About About Nothing New CMT Studio Nothing New, by Change Clothes CLG, is a circular Cut-Make-Trim production studio transforming reclaimed textiles into commercially viable products through small-batch manufacturing and zero-waste production systems. By connecting textile recovery, local manufacturing, and paid graduate employment pathways, they are rebuilding circular textile production capability in Ireland while reducing waste and extending material lifecycles. About Neg8 Carbon NEG8 Carbon develops electrostatic Direct Air Capture technology that removes CO₂ from ambient air for circular use. Its circular application is best demonstrated in SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), where captured atmospheric CO₂ is combined with green hydrogen to produce aviation fuel in a closed carbon loop. About Sampla Sampla is the Irish word for example. Their footwear aims to set an example by crafting shoes ethically, while using apples and other innovative, animal-friendly materials. About Techstuff Techstuff.ie is Ireland's circular tech platform enabling the full device lifecycle resell, repair, reuse and recycle. Our marketplace, verified repair shop directory, recycling centre directory and TechStuff4Schools community collection programme keep devices in closed loop circulation, generating valuable consumer-level circular economy data across the full device lifecycle. About External Coaching Team Ron Immink Ron Immink is a strategist, positive futurist, author and advisor who helps CEOs build future-fit organisations. He works with leadership teams to make sense of AI, disruption and culture, turning uncertainty into clear narratives, sharper strategy and practical action. Ron has read over 10,000 books on strategy, innovation, leadership, technology and the future, written more than 20 books, and advised thousands of businesses across Europe and beyond. Clients describe him as a maverick-in-residence, an innovation grenade and a positive futurologist. Brian O'Connell Brian O’Connell has held director positions in sales and marketing with both Dell and Oracle; and has worked in a consultancy capacity with companies such as Apple, Digiweb, StockByte, Schneider Electric, Cora Systems and J2 Global. Brian’s experience also includes work with growth orientated companies such as Snapfix RaiseYourIQ, Smart flow, N-pro where he helped define sales strategies and sales channels, new market entrance, product strategy, sales team development, marketing strategy, channel marketing plus implementing “Go to Market” programs/tactics. His passion is helping people and companies succeed. Meghann Scully Meghann Scully is a multimedia presenter working across digital media, TV and radio. She can be seen on RTÉ, Virgin Media and TG4 as well as being heard on Off The Ball, Newstalk and several podcasts. She has been working across the media industry for over two decades in Ireland and the UK in areas such as sport, sustainability, entertainment and lifestyle. Her workshop will bring all her expertise together to create an engaging, informative and enjoyable session with some key tips for businesses and brands to elevate their content and presentation skills. IMR’s Coaching Team Salmine Sassi Salmine builds the frameworks that turn technical research into scalable commercial assets. With over a decade of experience in venture building and strategic innovation across Europe, MENA, and the US, she specializes in killing "Innovation Theater" and validating market demand before teams burn capital on unvetted concepts. Within IMR, her mandate is to work directly with our engineering and research teams to stress-test ideas, map market unit economics, and architect high-velocity pathways for spin-ins and spin-outs. Valentina Rangel Leon Valentina Rangel is the Circular Economy Policy Specialist at IMR, working primarily on the flagship project CIRCULÉIRE, she supports industry engagement in national and EU circular economy regulatory frameworks. Her role at IMR also involves enhancing the Irish Industry’s understanding of the key regulatory drivers for circularity, as well as key regulatory obligations, and facilitating meaningful dialogue between industry and national policymakers. Valentina Tarasco Valentina, Circularity Assessment & Metrics Lead, joined IMR in October 2024, She develops circularity performance metrics and Circular Economy Action Plans that are practical and measurable, using data to guide strategic planning and embed circular thinking into business practices. She has over 17 years' experience in IT leasing, disposition and refurbishment, two core circular economy strategies. Daniel Whelan Daniel, Circularity Assessment & Metrics Technologist, contributes to the development of Circular Economy Action Plans and performance metrics that support organisations in advancing their circularity goals. He collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver data-driven strategies that are practical, measurable, and aligned with regulatory requirements and industry standards. With experience across diverse sectors, Daniel supports the implementation of circular practices, conducts carbon footprint assessments, and facilitates the integration of sustainability into core business operations. His work enables organisations to translate circular economy principles into actionable outcomes. Paul McCormack Cooney Paul McCormack Cooney is the Circular Economy Best Practice & Toolkits Lead in IMR. Paul leverages his expertise in communications, graphic design, and business to lead the development of CIRCULÉIRE's thought leadership and practical toolkits. As Best Practice & Toolkits Lead, he is responsible for creating key resources for Irish industry, including case studies, sectoral guides, and the Circular Maturity Tool. Drawing on a decade of experience in B2B2C financial communications, Paul excels at translating complex circular economy concepts into accessible and actionable insights that bridge the gap between research and business application. Karl Crowley Karl Crowley is the Senior Programme Manager for Circularity for RD&I at IMR. In this role, he is responsible for assisting Irish Industry to develop ideas into fully realised and fundable proposals and identifying suitable national and EU-wide funding opportunities. In a career spanning over 20 years, Karl has worked in diverse research settings including a UK-based start-up (SmartKem), an MNC Research Centre (Kingspan IKON), and an EI Technology Gateway (MiCRA). In these settings, he has worked across a range of sectors including circular materials development, construction waste valorisation, digital product passport deployment, flexible & printed electronics, and medical devices. MEDIA & NEWS Media News Circular accelerator offers €5k equity-free funding READ MORE THINK BUSINESS, 08 APR 2026 Circuléire makes fresh call for 2026 accelerator applicants READ MORE SILICON REPUBLIC, 08 APR 2026

abb2e18b-2e79-4162-97eb-7d22fb6375b8 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: AHREND WEBSITE: AHREND.COM SECTOR : BUILT ENVIRONMENT PUBLISHED: 27 JUNE 2025 TAGS: BUILT ENVIRONMENT, FURNITURE, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS, CIRCULAR DESIGN, REUSE About Ahrend Furniture Ahrend , established in 1896, is an international leader in office furniture and space solutions, committed to delivering vitalising workspaces. Ahrend furniture is designed to optimise employee’s experiences with the focus on stimulating health, wellbeing, and productivity in workspaces. The Challenge As educational levels improve and the service industry expands, so will the number of individuals with formal office positions, causing a growth in office space and furnishings ( Ellen McArthur Foundation, 2021 ). Although this benefits people’s livelihoods, it has a negative influence on the environment by increasing waste. In Europe, 10.78 million tonnes of furniture waste is discarded yearly ( Forrest et al., 2017 ), which is the approximate weight of 53,900 adult blue whales. Only 10% of that furniture is recycled, while 80% - 90% is incinerated or ends up in landfills ( Forrest et al., 2017 ). Producing the average piece of furniture emits 47 kilogrammes of CO2, which is comparable to burning nearly 20 litres of petrol ( Lai, 2023 ). The Circular Solution In the 1990s, Ahrend was involved in the development of Ecodesign, the European guideline for environmentally-friendly product design. Since then their new products are designed to be modular, sustainable, repairable and parts are designed to be easily separated for reuse or recycling. In 1994, Ahrend designed the A220 office chair which was was one of the first Ecodesign products in the world. In 2011, they became the first and only Cradle to Cradle company in the furniture industry. Cradle to Cradle is a global certification system which scores brands for their commitment to the circular economy, the reduction of waste and hazardous chemicals, more efficient uses of resources and the reuse of materials, energy efficiency, and social responsibility ( Good On You, 2023 ). Ahrend now offers their customers a “Furniture as a Service” (FaaS) option, in which they rent their office furniture for a fee, based on the length of time that they require it. Ahrend provides maintenance, storage, and insurance for all products in use during this time. When a customer no longer requires the furniture, it is returned to Ahrend and refurbished, thereby prolonging its life and decreasing virgin material use. This business model has several advantages. As Ahrend maintains ownership of their product throughout its lifetime they are incentivised to design it for durability and to be easily repairable and remanufactuarable in the future. This in turn reduces waste, CO2 emissions and the need for additional virgin resources. The FaaS business model also ensures the end-of-life of a product is considered right from the early design stages and influences the materials chosen for production, assessing them on their recyclability and lack of toxicity. Climate Impact Ahrend lowers CO2 emissions by up to 40% each year by redeploying materials and products. The FaaS model also cuts costs. Consider a new working environment with a total investment value of €45,000 over a time frame of 60 months. If the FaaS model is opted for versus buying, a €6000 savings could be achieved on the end cost ( Ahrend, 2023 ). FaaS makes more financial sense once you consider the savings from maintaining a work environment such as logistics, interest, storage, and maintenance expenses. Furthermore, Ahrend’s manufacturing process is CO2 neutral, using 100% renewable energy and closed water and energy circuits with heat pumps to reduce its CO2 footprint. Replicability Under the Product as a Service (PaaS) business model companies offer their physical product as a service. This model incentivises companies to consider longevity, maintenance, reuse, re-manufacture, and recycling in their product design. All this is done in close collaboration with customers, who become “users” of a service instead of “consumers” of a product. The PaaS model has already been applied to cars, bikes, smartphones, clothes, printers, solar panels, tires, etc. For example... Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport, pays Philips and Cofely for ‘light as a service ’. They save on maintenance costs and extend the service life of the light fittings by 75%. It further limits raw material consumption, because every component can be recycled or re-used at the end of its service life ( EU, 2023 ). Homie , in the Netherlands, offers a pay-per-use washing machine subscription where customers pay less for wasing at lower temperatures ( CEF, 2023 ). ALL CASE STUDIES

cb7c465f-6983-49e7-acbe-5a9b7ab331ef Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: CIRCULAR FOOD CO. WEBSITE: CIRCULARFOOD.CO SECTOR : FOOD & BEVERAGE PUBLISHED: 8 TH APRIL 2026 TAGS: FOOD WASTE VALORISATION, UPCYCLED INGREDIENTS, WASTE TO VALUE, BIO-BASED SOLUTIONS, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS, MATERIAL EFFICIENCY, CIRCULAR FOOD SYSTEMS, EMISSIONS REDUCTION, SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION The Challenge Food loss and food waste create profound environmental and social burdens worldwide. Despite food production claiming nearly a third of global agricultural land, approximately 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022 – while 783 million people faced hunger and a third of the global population grappled with food insecurity ( UNCC, 2024 ). This inefficiency generates 8-10% of global annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, roughly five times the emissions of the aviation sector ( UNCC, 2024 ). In the European Union (EU), annual food waste exceeds 58 million tonnes ( Eurostat, 2025 ), producing emissions equivalent to 252 million tonnes of carbon dioxide ( European Commission, 2023 ). If food waste were an EU Member State, it would rank as the bloc's fifth-largest GHG emitter ( European Commission, 2023 ). Notably, food and beverage manufacturing accounts for 19% of this waste ( Eurostat, 2025 ). In 2023, Ireland generated 835,000 tonnes of food waste ( EPA Ireland, 2025 ). The brewing sector alone produces over 170,000 tonnes of spent grain yearly ( DAFM, 2025 ), much of which ends up as low-value animal feed or waste, intensifying resource inefficiency ( Teagasc, 2022 ). When such organic waste decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a GHG with 84 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, exacerbating climate change ( EEA, 2025 ). Circular Solution Circular Food Co , a participant of the 2025 CIRCULÉIRE Venture Accelerator, transforms food industry by-products and surplus like spent grain into high-value, plant-based ingredients for the bakery, meat, snacking, and nutrition sectors. The company collects surplus from Irish producers, uses thermal dehydration to retain flavour and nutrition, and analyses functionality to create fibre-, protein-, and antioxidant-rich products. Their process diverts waste from disposal, enabling brands to meet ESG targets with upcycled ingredients that enhance taste and nutrition without new cultivation. Climate Impact Circular Food Co delivers substantial environmental benefits through upcycling, preventing landfill methane emissions and avoiding emissions tied to virgin resource production. Their ingredients offer near-total reductions: 100% in water use and 99% in land use, alongside 25% lower carbon footprints compared to conventional alternatives ( Circular Food Co, n.d. ). Upcycling closes nutrient loops, curbing demand for new production and mitigating climate impacts. To date, the company reports diverting over 200 tonnes of food waste, averting roughly 320 tonnes of CO₂e emissions while achieving over 70% resource efficiency with minimal extra water or energy. Replicability Food loss and waste exact a heavy economic toll, costing the global economy roughly USD 1 trillion annually ( UNCC, 2024 ). The EU Waste Framework Directive mandates Member States to cut food waste by 10% in processing and manufacturing by 2030 ( European Commission, 2025 ). Upcycling unlocks value from this waste stream, tapping into a €132 billion opportunity across the chain ( European Commission, n.d. ). Companies like Circular Food Co exemplify how to valorise waste and meet ambitious 2030 targets. Similar initiatives include: UpGrain , a Swiss company, which upcycles brewers' spent grain into protein- and fibre-rich ingredients for snacks and baked goods, saving CO 2 and disposal costs. Agrain , a Danish company, which converts spent grain into nutritious flour using proprietary technology, saving 24-44 kg CO 2 per 100 kg and 2 m² land per kg compared to traditional flour. Well Spent Grain upcycle brewer's spent grain into sustainable and delicious snacks. Read the CIRCULÉIRE case study on Well Spent Grain here 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 categorised 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

e98bcb5d-f9e0-4a4f-b32a-b1c74aace642 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: INTEL WEBSITE: INTEL.IE SECTOR : ELECTRONICS & SEMICONDUCTORS PUBLISHED: 28 TH AUGUST 2026 TAGS: WATER STEWARDSHIP, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING, ULTRAPURE WATER, NANOFILTRATION, PEATLAND RESTORATION, NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS, WATER REUSE, INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS, NET WATER POSITIVE, CIRCULAR MANUFACTURING, WATER CIRCULAR ECONOMY The Challenge The semiconductor industry underpins the digital and green economy. A chip is a miniaturised piece of semiconductor material, designed and manufactured to perform a specific function, forming the building blocks of computers, smartphones, vehicles and countless other digital products ( Cerutti and Nardo, 2023 ). Fabrication is the process of turning a chip design into a physical product, happens in specialised factories ("fabs" or “foundries”) and is highly water-intensive ( Cerutti and Nardo, 2023 ; Frost and Hua, 2019 ). Fabrication depends on ultrapure water (UPW), purified until thousands of times cleaner than drinking water, to rinse wafers (mostly silicon) between processing steps. A single fab can use around 10 million gallons of UPW a day, roughly the daily water use of 33,000 US households, and producing 1,000 gallons of UPW itself consumes 1,400-1,600 gallons of input water, most lost during purification ( James, 2024 ). Industry accounts for just under 20% of global freshwater withdrawals annually ( UNESCO, 2024 ). By 2030-2040, 40% of existing semiconductor facilities, and up to 49% of those announced since 2021, will sit in river basins facing high or extremely high-water stress ( Lepawsky, 2024 ). Europe is expanding into this constrained picture regardless: the EU Chips Act set out to mobilise more than €43 billion in public and private investment and targets a 20% share of global semiconductor production by 2030, with over €32 billion in combined public and private investment already generated through first-of-a-kind State aid approvals ( European Commission, n.d. , European Parliament, 2026 ), even though European fabs recycle only 10-14% of their water ( Sandhu et al., 2025 ). EU-wide, seasonal scarcity already affects around 30% of land area annually, prompting the 2025 European Water Resilience Strategy's aim to improve water efficiency by at least 10% by 2030 ( EEA, 2025 ; European Commission, 2025 ). With 85% of its drinking water coming from a single source , the River Liffey, treated at Ballymore Eustace and Leixlip, the Greater Dublin Area has little buffer against drought or contamination, and the utility projects a 34% supply-demand gap by 2044 ( Uisce Éireann, n.d. ; DHLGH, 2024 ). A Circular Solution Intel addresses this constraint through two linked interventions: one reducing water loss inside the fabrication process itself, the other restoring water storage capacity in the wider catchment the site depends on. A nanofiltration (NF) system, installed in 2022, targets losses in ultrapure water (UPW) production. NF membranes are distinguished by their selectivity for divalent and polyvalent ions, such as calcium and magnesium, while allowing monovalent ions and small molecules to pass through, making them well suited to recovering usable water from process streams that would otherwise be discarded ( Namla et al., 2025 ). At Leixlip, the system captures water rejected during on-site UPW filtration and redirects it for reuse elsewhere in manufacturing; Intel states the system alone can save at least 484 million litres a year, and the newer Fab 34 draws on the same system ( Intel, n.d. ; Intel, 2023 ). Separately, Intel has partnered with the National Parks and Wildlife Service since May 2021 to restore 60 hectares of drained blanket bog at Liffey Head in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, part of the River Liffey's headwaters, which feed the Poulaphouca reservoir, a drinking-water source for the Greater Dublin Area. This restoration is expected to increase water storage by 50-90 million litres once complete ( DHLGH, 2021 ). Both initiatives sit under Intel's global goal to be "net water positive" by 2030, putting back more water than it takes out Environmental, Social and Economic Impact Since 2012, Intel's water recovery investment at Leixlip has conserved more than 9 billion litres; 3 billion litres were conserved in 2023 alone ( Intel, n.d. ; Intel, 2024 )) and 92% of water taken in at Leixlip is now returned to the Liffey river ( Intel, 2024 )). The nanofiltration system won the Excellence in Environment award at the 2023 Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards ( Intel, 2024 ). The Wicklow bog restoration is expected to add 50-90 million litres of water storage, roughly 36 Olympic pools, plus carbon storage, water quality and biodiversity gains; however, Intel's own 2023 water restoration accounting records the project's measured benefit that year as zero, with the gain still expected rather than realised ( Intel, n.d. ; Intel, 2024 ). Both projects target the catchment supplying Poulaphouca reservoir, drinking water for 1.7 million people across the Greater Dublin Area ( Uisce Éireann ), while Leixlip itself employs 4,900 people whose volunteering totalled 163,954 hours in 2023 ( IDA Ireland, 2026 ; Intel, 2024 ). In 2026, Intel announced a further €5 billion investment to expand manufacturing at Leixlip, reinforcing Ireland's role in Europe's semiconductor supply chain and the EU's tech-sovereignty goals ( IDA Ireland, 2026 ). Replicability Intel is not alone in tackling semiconductor water use: manufacturers across Europe and the US are investing in on-site water recovery and recycling to reduce their draw on local supplies. Infineon (Germany) - installed closed-loop water recirculation at its new Smart Power Fab in Dresden, recycling approximately 90% of process water and recovering up to 45% of energy used ( Infineon, 2026 ). TSMC (USA) - is building an Industrial Reclamation Water Plant at its Phoenix, Arizona fabs targeting "near zero liquid discharge," with completion expected in 2028 and up to 90% on-site water reuse ( TSMC, 2025 ). STMicroelectronics (Malta) - operates its own on-site reverse osmosis plant to supply high-purity water for its assembly-and-test operations, raising its water recycling rate from to 47.3% in 2023 and targeting over 60%, following a water-treatment upgrade completed in 2024 ( STMicroelectronics, 2024 ). ALL CASE STUDIES

2a208ad2-ef29-48f1-a9e7-818bcb4789e1 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: GREENIT WEBSITE: GREENIT.IE SECTOR : ELECTRONICS PUBLISHED: 23 JULY 2025 TAGS: REMANUFACTURE, REFURBISH, REPAIR, WEEE The Challenge Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is the world's fastest-growing waste stream ( ILO, 2014 cited in WHO, 2024 ). Global e-waste production soared by 82% between 2010 and 2022 to reach a record 62 million tonnes ( UNITAR, 2024 ), a growth rate nearly six times faster than that of the world's population. To put this in perspective, that volume of e-waste could fill 1.55 million 40-tonne trucks, roughly enough to form a bumper-to-bumper line encircling the equator ( UNITAR, 2024 ). Yet only 22.3% of the WEEE was formally collected and recycled ( UNITAR, 2024 ). Large amounts of resources are utilised throughout the life cycle of electronic equipment, including mining, manufacturing, transport, retail, consumption, and disposal ( Meidl, 2023 ). An estimated 31 million tonnes of metals were embedded in e-waste in 2022, with a value of US $91 billion, including US $19 billion in copper, US $15 billion in gold, and US $16 billion in iron ( UNITAR, 2024 ). WEEE is often incinerated, dumped in landfills, or exported to developing countries at end-of-life ( Meidl, 2023 ). When e-waste is improperly recycled, it can release up to 1000 different chemical substances into the environment, including known neurotoxicants such as lead, leaving pregnant women and children particularly vulnerable ( WHO, 2024 ). In 2020, an estimated 580 MtCO₂e (Megatonnes of CO 2 e) were emitted by WEEE ( Singh and Ogunseitan, 2022 ), which is equivalent to the CO 2 emissions from 153 coal-fired power plants in one year ( EPA.gov , 2024 ). Extracting valuable materials from e-waste is essential to avoid further environmental degradation. E-waste management globally prevents 93 MtCO₂e emissions in the form of refrigerants in temperature exchange equipment (41 MtCO₂e) and through the lower greenhouse gas emissions obtained by recycling metals versus mining (52 MtCO₂e) ( UNITAR, 2024 ). The Circular Solution Remanufacturing is one of the 10 R-strategies of a circular economy. A remanufactured product uses parts from a discarded product in a new product with the same function ( Potting et al, 2017 ). Importantly, a remanufactured product must perform at the same level or higher than the original product, and it must have a warranty of the same or longer duration ( Tant et al., 2018 ). Remanufactured products are disassembled, all components are cleaned, reassembled, tested, and repaired as needed ( Tant et al., 2018 ). GreenIT , an Irish SME and CIRCULÉIRE member, offers high-quality remanufactured laptops to the mainstream consumer as well as public sector bodies. Their preowned remanufactured laptops have been restored to a like-new condition, inside-and-out, through comprehensive testing, repair and updating of hardware and software components. The laptops go through the BSI (British Standards Institution) Kitemark certified Circular Remanufacturing Process where preowned laptops are inspected, disassembled, restored, re-assembled, tested and finished, meaning that every laptop must meet or exceed the quality and performance of new products ( BSI, 2023 ). GreenIT source laptops through a diverse network including corporate trade-ins and electronic recycling programmes. If deemed suitable for remanufacture all data on the laptops is securely erased, and key components such as the hard drive, memory, battery, and motherboard are tested for functionality. Any defective or outdated parts are replaced with new or refurbished components. The laptops are cleaned, and cosmetic damages, such as scratches or dents, are repaired. If necessary, they may be repainted or reskinned. The operating system and drivers are freshly installed, and the laptops undergo rigorous final testing to ensure they operate good-as-new. To guarantee their reliability, every GreenIT remanufactured laptop comes with a 3-5 year extended warranty, and cost up to 40% less than a new version of the same laptop ( GreenIT, 2024 ). In 2024, the Republic of Ireland’s Office of Government Procurement (OGP) launched a new ‘first-of-its-kind’ framework for public bodies to acquire remanufactured laptops ( Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, 2024 ). The contract was granted to GreenIT who tendered as the lead entity in a consortium with Circular Computing , a UK-based company that specialises in the remanufacturing of enterprise-grade laptops ( Pepper, 2024 ). The contract is valued at up to EUR €30 million and aligns with the circular economy objectives outlined in the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027 ( DCEE, 2024 ). Green Public Procurement is the process by which public bodies aim to procure goods, services and works that have lower environmental impact throughout their life cycle as compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured ( DCEE; OGP, 2024 ). Climate Impact Approximately 60,000 remanufactured laptops could be procured by public bodies throughout the four-year term, extending the life cycle of the laptops and minimising WEEE generation ( Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, 2024 ). Purchasing a remanufactured laptop instead of a new one saves around 310 kilogrammes of CO 2 e ( Yuksek et al., 2023 ). Moreover, remanufacturing laptops can decrease energy consumption during manufacturing by up to 80% by eliminating raw material extraction and processing ( Yuksek et al., 2023 ). Furthermore, remanufactured laptops save about 190,000 litres of water per laptop due to the absence of primary resource extraction and refinement, and new product component production ( Maalouf et al., 2015 ). The Irish Government estimate the contract will equate to a reduction of 19 million Kgs CO 2 , preserve 72 million Kgs of mined resources and save 11 billion litres of water ( Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, 2024 ). Replicability Ireland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is EUR €506.30 billion ( Central Statistics Office, 2024 ). The annual public sector purchasing accounts for 10% to 12% of the country’s GDP ( DCEE; OGP, 2024 ), which represents a significant portion of economic activity and demand. As a result, Ireland’s public sector has the capacity to drive the procurement of more resource-efficient, less polluting goods, services and works within the marketplace. This is a great advantage for companies who embed circular principles into their business models when competing for government tenders. A noteworthy example is: Evolve , a CIRCULÉIRE Member, are an independent technology-driven supply chain solution that streamlines the sourcing of remanufactured green auto parts for automotive businesses. In 2022, An Garda Síochána, the Irish police force, saved the equivalent of 38,477 Kg of CO 2 by acquiring 551 reclaimed vehicle parts of various makes and models from Evolve ( Fleetcar, 2023 ). ALL CASE STUDIES

121bac0e-7611-436c-9e08-8ecda0e35c88 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link 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

a07b0cfe-6da8-4cbf-9ea5-b5b19b22683e Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: HEALTH BEACON WEBSITE: HEALTHBEACON.COM SECTOR : HEALTHCARE, MEDTECH, PHARMACEUTICALS PUBLISHED: 14 JULY 2025 TAGS: REUSE, RECYCLING, MEDTECH, PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDICAL WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE The Challenge Approximately 16 billion injections are administered globally eac h year ( WHO, 2024 ). Unfortunately, not all needles and syringes are properly disposed of ( WHO, 2024 ), posing a danger of injury and infection as well as potential reuse of an unste rilised product. Single-use products, such as injection needles and syringes, are popular due to the risk of transferable / infectious diseases plus the high cost and time-consuming process of sterilisation ( Collier, 2011 ). However, massive amounts of plastic packaging, single-use tools, and diagnostic devices emit greenhouse gases (GHG) when incinerated or while decomposing in landfills and oceans ( Greene, Skolnik & Merritt, 2022 ). In fact, healthcare systems are responsible for 4%–5% of the emissions of GHGs worldwide ( Rodríguez‐Jiménez et al., 2023 ). The Circular Opportunity Single-use medical supplies account for roughly 80% of the industry’s carbon footprint in terms of production, transport, usage, and disposal ( Greene et al., 2022 ). Medical supplies, like many other common household items, were made of reusable metal, fabric, and glass in the past, with little to no plastic used in their production or packaging ( Johns Hopkins, 2023 ). Currently, almost all medical supplies, including surgical masks, syringes, and surgical tools, are wrapped in or made of plastic ( Johns Hopkins, 2023 ). As a matter of fact, 85% of global medical waste is comprised of discarded materials that are disposable rather than reusable, despite only 15% of it being hazardous ( Greene et al., 2022 ). A sustainable healthcare system is one in which products are developed for longevity and circularity while also ensuring device reliability and patient safety. The Circular Solution in Practice HealthBeacon is an Irish digital therapeutics company that develops products for patients to manage injectable medications at home. The HealthBeacon Injection Care Management System monitors medication adherence and persistence by providing medication management reminders, safe and sustainable sharps disposal devices, educational resources, and artificial intelligence (AI) operated data analytics. The company is presently operating in 17 countries, primarily across Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom. Peer reviewed evidence published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy revealed that patients using this technology improved injectable medication adherence by up to 26% (Glynn, 2020) . HealthBeacon and Novartis Ireland are collaborating to use the HealthBeacon Green Labs to develop a platform that will offer quick and easy innovative sustainability solutions for Novartis patients ( Novartis Ireland, 2022 ). The first step of this partnership is supplying reusable sharps bins to rheumatology, dermatology, and neurology patients. Smart technology reminds patients to take their medication and alerts them when their sharps bin is almost full. The full sharps bin is then collected from the patient’s home, sanitised, and returned to the patient for reuse, ensuring an environmentally friendly and safe service for patients ( Novartis Ireland, 2022 ). Replicability According to a report by Grand View Research, Inc., the global home healthcare market is estimated to reach USD 747.b billion by 2030 ( GVR, 202 4 ). From 2022 to 2030, the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.21% ( GVR, 2022 ). The increase of chronic illnesses such as respiratory diseases, kidney disorders, and diabetes is driving up demand for home therapeutic devices. HealthBeacon has an excellent opportunity to capitalise on this thriving market and expand its business. The collection and sustainable disposal of injectable sharps is a significant step towards tackling the global challenge of sustainably managing medical waste and assisting pharmaceutical companies in adopting more sustainable waste management practises. A few initiatives worth noting in the circular medical devices sphere include: Tympany Medical, a CIRCULÉIRE new venture, is a Galway-based medical technology company that produces reusable endoscopes. The ReMed project, a collaboration between Loughborough University and the University of Leeds, aims to identify the barriers to the circular use of medical devices and develop sustainable solutions. ALL CASE STUDIES

ab3c131b-9a4d-445d-9548-2cf1fe494ca2 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: KINSET WEBSITE: KINSET.COM SECTOR : CLEAN-TECHNOLOGY PUBLISHED: 21ST APRIL 2026 TAGS: DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORTS, SUPPLY CHAIN TRACEABILITY, DATA‑DRIVEN CIRCULARITY, PRODUCT LIFECYCLE TRANSPARENCY, REPAIR AND REUSE ENABLEMENT, COMPLIANCE BY DESIGN, VERIFIED SUSTAINABILITY DATA, CIRCULAR TEXTILES, RESPONSIBLE MATERIAL SOURCING, LIFESPAN EXTENSION The Challenge The fashion and apparel industry is one of the world's most environmentally intensive sectors. It accounts for approximately 2–8% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions — surpassing the combined emissions of the aviation and shipping sectors ( UNEP, 2019 ). Textile production is also responsible for around 20% of global clean water pollution, driven largely by dyeing and finishing processes ( European Parliament, 2025 ). Manufacturing more broadly adds to this burden. In 2022, the industrial sector emitted 9 gigatonnes of CO₂, representing 25% of total global emissions ( IEA, 2023 ) . Reducing these impacts requires action across the full product lifecycle - from how products are designed and sourced, to how they are used, repaired, and recovered at end of life. A key barrier is visibility: without reliable data on where emissions, waste, and hazardous materials occur across a supply chain, manufacturers struggle to act. The EU is responding with a suite of regulations designed to make that data mandatory. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will require a Digital Product Passport (DPP) for nearly all products sold in the EU - a digital record capturing a product's origin, materials, environmental impact, and end-of-life guidance ( European Commission, 2025 ). The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks add further reporting obligations. Together, these create both a compliance challenge and a significant opportunity for companies that can help manufacturers meet them. For many businesses - particularly SMEs - aggregating supply chain data, upgrading systems, and maintaining traceability across global suppliers is a substantial burden. Kinset was founded to address exactly this. Circular Solution Kinset 's origins are rooted in direct experience of the problem it now solves. The company was co-founded by Katie O'Riordan, an entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in sustainable fashion design, manufacturing, and supply chain operations. While running her own sustainable fashion label, Katie found herself unable to determine with confidence whether her products were truly sustainable - and found that every tool available felt more like greenwashing than genuine transparency. Seeking a definitive, data-driven solution, she partnered with Alan Giles, a serial tech entrepreneur, to build Kinset. Kinset, a participant of the 2025 CIRCULÉIRE Venture Accelerator, is a green tech company specialising in apparel and consumer goods brands. Its core offering is a connected product platform that creates a digital ecosystem around each product - merging live supply chain data, materials information, certifications, and compliance requirements into a single connected record. This shifts sustainability from retrospective reporting to proactive design decisions. At the heart of the platform is a Digital Product Passport builder that gives each product a unique digital ID, built on GS1 Digital Link standards - the globally recognised system used for product identification and supply chain tracking across retail, healthcare, and logistics. This connects each product to structured data across its lifecycle, from raw materials through to end of life, and allows manufacturers to get started with simple data inputs, then integrate with ERP, PLM, and PIM systems as they scale. The platform automatically captures key sustainability metrics - carbon footprint, water usage, and material sourcing - through real-time lifecycle assessment (LCA) tools aligned with EU Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR). It generates compliance-ready reports and consumer-facing DPP features including repair guides, resale pathways, and disposal guidance - linking circular services directly into each product's digital record. Through strategic partnerships with advanced traceability providers, Kinset also supports verification of product origin and durability. Irish brands including Caroline Duffy Designs and McNutt of Donegal are already using the platform, with McNutt - a certified BCorp - describing it as a natural next step in their sustainability journey. Climate Impact A 2024 European Parliament study on DPPs in the textile sector found that a lack of comprehensive product information is one of the key barriers to circularity - preventing effective repair, reuse, sorting, and recycling at scale ( Legardeur and Ospital, 2024 ). DPPs directly address this barrier by making supply chain data visible and actionable for the first time. Kinset delivers impact through two connected mechanisms. First, by giving companies real-time, verifiable data on where emissions, waste, and inefficiency occur across their supply chains, it enables targeted action - refining product design, switching to lower-impact materials, and improving end-of-life routing. Second, consumer-facing features like repair guides, resale pathways, and disposal guidance embedded in each product's DPP directly extend product lifespans, reducing demand for new production and the resource extraction that comes with it. The European Parliament study concludes that a fully deployed circular DPP for textiles could promote circularity by improving repair, reuse, recycling, and end-of-life management, enable producers to reduce raw material consumption, and provide the data infrastructure needed to assess and progressively reduce a product's environmental footprint across its full lifecycle ( Legardeur and Ospital, 2024 ). Kinset's platform is designed to deliver exactly this kind of infrastructure for Irish and European apparel and consumer goods brands. Replicability EU regulations are rapidly expanding the market for DPP solutions. The global DPP market was valued at USD $275.1 million in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD $2,996.1 million by 2033, with Europe holding over 35% market share in 2025 ( Grand View Research, 2025 ). A number of companies are developing comparable DPP platforms: TrusTrace (Sweden) provides a supply chain traceability platform for fashion and textiles, enabling DPPs through data standardisation and compliance reporting. Circularise (Netherlands) offers a blockchain-powered traceability platform supporting DPPs for end-to-end supply chain visibility and secure data sharing. Kezzler (Norway) delivers a connected products platform using digital product identities to manage DPPs, lifecycle events, and circular business models at the item level. EON (New York) develops digital ID technology for product traceability from farm to end of life, powering DPPs to meet policy demands and enable circular business models. Avery Dennison (California) provides smart labelling and RFID solutions that support DPP implementation for supply chain transparency and sustainability tracking. ALL CASE STUDIES

c931216b-a63e-4825-b859-e06212d28d0b Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: RE-TURN WEBSITE : RE-TURN.IE SECTOR : PACKAGING PUBLISHED : 31 st JULY 2026 TAGS : DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME, PACKAGING, PLASTIC RECYCLING, CIRCULAR MANUFACTURING, CLOSED-LOOP RECYCLING, MATERIAL PURITY, EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY, LITTER REDUCTION, POLICY-DRIVEN CIRCULARITY, CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR CHANGE The Challenge Packaging waste in Ireland has grown by almost 20% since 2016, while recycling of that same packaging has grown by only 5% over the same period, meaning waste is piling up nearly four times faster than the ability to recycle it, and the recycling rate is falling as a result ( EPA, 2025 ). Plastic packaging recycling stood at just 30% in 2023, missing the EU's 2025 target of 50% ( EPA, 2025 ). Metal fares little better: ferrous recycling has dropped below target, and aluminium , though improving , remains below target too ( EPA, 2025 ). For plastic bottles, aluminium and steel cans combined, only 49% were being recycled as of 2022, despite all three materials being straightforward to recycle once collected ( Re-turn, 2025 ). Bottles and cans face an added layer of EU regulation on top of general packaging rules. The Single-Use Plastics Directive, transposed into Irish law in 2021 ( DCEE, 2021 ), requires 77% of single-use plastic beverage bottles up to three litres, including caps and lids to be separately collected by 2025, rising to 90% by 2029 ( The European Parliament and The Council, 2019 ) . A newer EU Regulation, the PPWR, applies automatically across all member states from August 2026 and extends this same 90% separate collection target to metal beverage cans as well ( The European Parliament and The Council, 2025 ). A Circular Solution Re-turn's approach is built on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), an environmental policy that shifts the cost of a product's end-of-life, take-back, recycling, disposal, from government and consumers onto the producers who place it on the market. Re-turn is the independent, not-for-profit company appointed by the Irish Government to deliver this through the national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), live since 1 February 2024 ( Re-turn, 2025 ). Producers placing PET bottles or aluminium and steel cans, 150 ml to 3 litres, on the Irish market must register and pay a fee per product. Containers bearing the Re-turn logo carry a refundable deposit, €0.15 up to 500 ml, €0.25 above, added to the price the customer pays ( Re-turn, 2025 ). The customer gets this deposit back by returning the empty, undamaged container to any registered return point nationwide - reverse vending machine or manual take-back - regardless of where it was purchased. Re-turn has partnered with Limerick Polymers Production (LPP) to handle the scheme's logistics. LPP collects and sorts returned containers from shops and reverse vending machines and manual return points, then transfers the sorted, baled material to third-party buyers. These materials are sold on to reprocessors in Ireland, the UK and Europe, feeding new containers and this sale forms one of Re-turn's own operating income streams ( Re-turn, 2025 ). Because containers are separated at the point of return, the scheme consistently produces bales exceeding 99% purity - beyond the 95% food-grade threshold set by the European Food Safety Authority - enabling genuine bottle-to-bottle and can-to-can recycling, currently via export while a domestic food-grade facility is being developed. Environmental, Social and Economic Impact In its two years of operation, the scheme has facilitated the collection of 2.5 billion drinks containers ( Re-turn, 2026 ). The recycling rate for in-scope containers has risen from 49% to an estimated over 91 %, with 76% captured directly through the scheme and the remainder via mixed dry recycling ( Re-turn, 2025 ). Irish Business Against Litter's latest survey found cans and plastic bottles are now 60% less common nationwide than when the scheme launched ( Re-turn, 2026 ). Aluminium recycling in particular carries an outsized benefit: it saves 95% of the energy and 97% of the emissions of primary aluminium production ( International Aluminium, n.d ). Ballygowan , Britvic Ireland's Natural Mineral Water brand, has trialled Ireland's first "circular bottle", made using recycled PET sourced entirely through Ireland's own Deposit Return Scheme ( Britvic Ireland, 2026 ). The scheme's social impact has scaled alongside its environmental one. More than 4,600 schools, clubs and community groups have used it to fundraise locally, and the Return for Children initiative, supporting six children's charities has raised over €410,000 since June 2024, including €300,000 in 2025 alone ( Re-turn, 2026 ). Financially, Re-turn is not-for-profit and not government-funded, drawing income from three sources: producer fees and material sales, and unredeemed deposits (€66.7m, a figure expected to shrink as return rates climb). The fees from unredeemed deposits were reinvested into scheme infrastructure, expansion of Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), consumer education campaign, etc ( Re-turn, 2025 ). Replicability Ireland's scheme is not an outlier. Deposit return is a proven, high-performing model across Europe, with established systems consistently achieving return rates around or above 90%: Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH (Germany), a deposit return scheme operating since 2003, covers single-use PET, metal cans (aluminium and tinplate) and glass beverage containers, consistently achieving a return rate of approximately 98% among the highest in the world ( TOMRA, 2026 ). Infinitum (Norway) operates a return-to-retail, producer-funded deposit return scheme. Norway's tradition of returnable containers dates back to 1902, though Infinitum's current single-use system was established in 1999. In 2024, it achieved a 93% return rate and a total collection rate of 98% across cans (aluminium and tinplate) and plastic bottles (PET and HDPE) ( TOMRA, 2024 ). Užstato Sistemos Administratorius (USAD) (Lithuania), a deposit return system introduced in 2016, raised its PET bottle return rate from 34% to approximately 91.9% within two years of launch, reaching 90% overall by the end of 2025 ( TOMRA, 2026 ). Palpa (Finland), a deposit return scheme, achieves return rates of around 90% for PET bottles, 99% for aluminium cans, and 98% for glass bottles. ALL CASE STUDIES

c2335540-de0d-4945-9aa7-0eca21459228 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: OCEANЯ WEBSITE: OCEANR.CO SECTOR : TEXTILES PUBLISHED: 02 OCTOBER 2025 TAGS: SUSTAINABLEFASHION, MARINEPLASTIC, OCEANPOLLUTION, CIRCULARTEXTILES, RECYCLEDPOLYESTER, ETHICALFASHION, CLOSEDLOOP, ENDPLASTICWASTE, IRISHINNOVATION The Challenge Plastic waste accounts for approximately 85% of all marine pollution ( UNEP, 2023 ), with over one million tonnes of plastic ending up in the ocean every year ( OECD, 2025 ). If current trends continue, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation projects that plastics could outweigh fish by 2050 ( Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2025 ). Globally, plastic recycling rates remain stubbornly below 10% ( Houssini et al, 2025 ) with most plastic waste landfilled or incinerated. In 2019, plastics generated roughly 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions—about 3.4% of the global total, comparable to emissions from over 460 coal-fired power plants ( OECD, 2025 ). A Circular Solution OceanЯ is a Cork-based, Certified B Corporation apparel company pioneering circular textile manufacturing using marine plastic waste. The company designs garments for organisations working around marine environments, with manufacturing facilities in Latvia, Portugal, and Italy, operating under European labour and safety standards. Their process begins with collection of plastic waste—primarily bottles and marine debris—which is cleaned and sorted. Plastics are shredded into pellets, melted into fibre, processed into fabric, and spun into high-quality yarn. Garments typically contain 80–90% recycled polyester from reclaimed fishing nets, bottles, or post-consumer waste, with elastane added for stretch as needed. OceanЯ also incorporates GOTS-certified organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and vegan leather. Buttons and zippers carry OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification for safety. OceanЯ’s Take it Back Programme encourages partners to return garments for repair or recycling. Repairs are offered free when possible; irreparable items are shredded and upcycled into new products, supporting a closed-loop supply chain. Climate Impact OceanЯ reports diverting over 1.5 million plastic bottles from oceans and landfills—a best estimate based on company data. By prioritising recycled feedstock, OceanЯ reduces demand for virgin polyester and avoids environmental impacts of new fibre production. The company uses eco-friendly sublimation printing that limits harmful dye emissions and actively trials innovative materials such as Piñatex® (pineapple fibre), pending further life-cycle validation. Replicability A circular economy could cut ocean plastic leakage by up to 80% annually and save up to USD $200 billion by 2040 ( Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2025 ). Regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility and eco-design accelerate demand for recycled feedstock and end-of-life returns ( Gov.ie , 2025 ). OceanЯ exemplifies a front-runner in Ireland, closing the loop from resource input to reuse. Other Irish circular textile innovators include: Afore After is an Irish fashion brand which creates synthetic-free, mono-material and biodegradable garments designed for circularity from the outset. The Rediscovery Centre runs four reuse social enterprise demonstrators. One of which is Rediscover Fashion which breathes new life into old textiles by repairing, restoring, redesigning and upcycling. The Upcycle Movement is an Irish company transforming waste materials, such as neoprene wetsuits, into durable, high-quality everyday accessories like bags and laptop cases. Cirtex , a CIRCULÉIRE member, upcycles textiles into a range of products, including thermal and acoustic insulation for domestic and commercial use, floor underlay, arena fibre, and insulator pads for mattresses and furniture cushioning. ALL CASE STUDIES