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cb7c465f-6983-49e7-acbe-5a9b7ab331ef 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

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

a07b0cfe-6da8-4cbf-9ea5-b5b19b22683e 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

2a208ad2-ef29-48f1-a9e7-818bcb4789e1 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

6e96babb-4ff6-4283-bfea-ea288304e089 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: LOGITECH WEBSITE: LOGITECH.COM SECTOR : ELECTRONICS PUBLISHED: 16 OCTOBER 2025 TAGS: DESIGNFORCIRCULARITY, EWASTE, RIGHTTOREPAIR, PRODUCTDESIGN, SUSTAINABLETECH, LIFECYCLEASSESSMENT, CONSUMERELECTRONICS, CIRCULARDESIGN The Challenge Consumer electronics are traditionally designed to meet the immediate needs of the user by making life simpler or more convenient. However, this approach has contributed to a growing global problem: electronic waste, or “e-waste”. Electronics are among the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Since 2010, the amount of e-waste created per year has risen by 82% ( UNITAR, 2024 ). In 2022, the world generated a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste, which would fill 1.5 million 40-tonne trucks, roughly enough trucks to form a bumper-to-bumper line encircling the equator ( UNITAR, 2024 ). Modern electronics are often designed with complex, miniaturised components and composite materials, making disassembly and recycling difficult ( UNITAR, 2024 ). Most products lack design features that support recyclability, especially for rare and critical raw materials. As a result, valuable elements like lithium and neodymium are frequently lost during processing ( UNITAR, 2024 ). Research shows that extending the use of electronic equipment has clear environmental benefits. Extending the life of phones, for example, from 2 to 3 years reduces their carbon footprint by between 23 and 30 per cent, depending on whether repairs are required or not ( Cordella et al., 2021 ). A UK study revealed that extending the life of devices (such as phones, tablets and laptops) by 50% would reduce the amount thrown away by 24%, over ten years ( Lysaght, 2023 ). Recognising this, policymakers are beginning to act. The European Union’s 2024 Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation requires manufacturers to ensure products are more durable, repairable, and recyclable. This signals a shift from conventional design, which prioritises only the first user, toward circular design, which considers the needs of multiple stakeholders: initial users, second-hand buyers, repairers, recyclers and more. By extending product lifespans and reducing material and energy use, circular design tackles waste at its source. Importantly, this approach also aligns with consumer expectations. Surveys indicate that 70% of consumers are interested in buying durable, maintainable products ( Capgemini, 2021 ). Spending on sustainably marketed products is rising rapidly. Over the past five years, sales of such products have grown by 28%, compared with 20% growth for products without sustainability claims ( McKinsey, 2023 ). Consumers also increasingly value repairability. More than half (54%) of consumers say they would prefer to repair their electronic equipment rather than replace it ( Bruce, 2021 ). However, the cost of repair is the biggest deciding factor ( Higginbottom, 2024 ). If the repair is just as expensive as the new item, then why bother? This underscores the need for repairs and aftermarket parts to be affordable and accessible. Taken together, these factors highlight that e-waste is not merely a by-product of technological progress; people want change. Advancing circular design is therefore essential to minimise waste, conserve resources, and respond effectively to both regulatory pressures and evolving consumer expectations. The Circular Solution Logitech is a global manufacturer of computer peripherals, such as mice, keyboards and headsets, shipping around 3 million products per week to over 100 countries ( O’Mahony, 2021 ). Its products are used by 71% of the world’s 500 largest companies, and feature in one in three meeting rooms and desks worldwide ( Logitech, 2025 ). When operating at such a scale, circular solutions can offer huge positive impacts. Logitech recognises that many of the most effective opportunities to reduce a product’s environmental impact occur during early-stage development, when fundamental design and material choices are made. Consequently, the company has integrated circular design principles across its entire product development process ( Logitech, n.d. ). Logitech achieves this through a deep understanding of its products and their impacts. Teardowns are performed to analyse each part, the materials used and how these parts are assembled ( Logitech, 2025 ). Insights from these analyses feed into life cycle assessments (LCAs) ( Logitech, 2024 ). This is a systematic analysis of a product’s material sourcing, production, distribution, use and disposal to understand and quantify the carbon emissions associated with each step. Currently, 84% of Logitech’s products have independently verified LCAs ( Logitech, 2025 ), providing detailed insights into their environmental impacts. This drives data-driven decision-making to target the most impactful hotspots ( Logitech, 2024 ). Logitech's Product Teardown Process Logitech has also developed an internal Circularity Assessment Tool. This measures the comparative circularity of product designs while aligning with stakeholder views, regulatory trends, and industry best practices ( Logitech, 2024 ). This uses a semi-quantitative scoring system to evaluate factors like longevity, reuse, and recyclability, which helps development teams identify improvement opportunities and implement more sustainable solutions ( Logitech, 2024 ). This evidence-based circular development has driven several tangible outcomes, including: Materials: 78% of products now use post-consumer recycled plastics ( Logitech, 2024 ). Manufacturing: the MX Creative Console replaces painted finishes with microtextures, improving recyclability while giving a premium surface finish ( Logitech, 2024 ). Product Design: Steel reinforcing plates have been removed from keyboards to reduce carbon-intensive material use ( Logitech, 2023 ). End of life: In the US, Logitech has partnered with Staples to take back end-of-life products in exchange for a 25% discount voucher ( Logitech, n.d. ). These circularity initiatives both complement and enhance the user experience. Logitech aims to foster emotional attachment between users and their devices so they keep them for longer and repair them when they break ( Logitech, 2024 ). Transparency is another key aspect: LCA results are displayed on Logitech’s product packaging, empowering consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions ( Logitech 2025 ). Logitech is advancing design for repair. For example, the G733 headset features detachable ear pads and headband strap with easily replaceable internal parts such as battery and microphone ( iFixIt, n.d. ). The Logitech Repair Hub , developed in partnership with iFixIt, provides multilingual step-by-step repair guides for common problems on 20 popular products and offers direct sales of replacement parts. For the G733, replacing the battery for €25 ( iFixIt, 2025 ) instead of the entire product for €160 exemplifies how repair can extend product lifetimes while saving costs. By making repairs accessible and affordable, Logitech is reducing barriers to circular product use and empowering consumers to participate in the circular economy. Climate Impact The data-driven decision-making in Logitech is having a positive impact on their products. For example, the second generation of the Wave Keys keyboard implemented post-consumer recycled plastics, a redesigned circuit board, a redesigned frame, paper packaging and was manufactured with renewable energy ( Logitech, 2025 ). These steps reduced the second generation's emissions by 37% compared to the first, which equates to 310 tonnes of CO 2 per 100,000 units ( Logitech, 2025 ). Logitech’s emissions are highly dependent on its manufacturing and material suppliers. More than 99% of Logitech’s emissions are Scope 3 ( Logitech, 2024 ); 60% of which are from materials and manufacturing, and a further 25% are from the use of the products (i.e. the energy consumed by the devices) ( Logitech, 2024 ). The direct contribution of the different carbon reduction initiatives can be quantified. The transition to renewable energy of their suppliers saves 79 thousand tonnes of CO 2 emissions per year, post-consumer recycled plastic saves 25 thousand, and low-carbon aluminium saves 13 thousand( Logitech, 2024 ). Of all the materials used in their products and packaging, about one-third contains recycled content, and a further quarter is renewable natural materials ( Logitech, 2024 ). Across all programs, this saved roughly 140 thousand tonnes of CO 2 emissions in 2023 ( Logitech, 2024 ). You would need a forest roughly four times the size of Killarney National Park to capture a similar amount of CO 2 (Based on 3.5tCO 2 sequestered per hectare of native woodland per year ( Teagasc, 2025 ) and area of Killarney National Park = 10,236 hectares ( Discover Kerry, n.d. )). Logitech highlights how data-driven decision-making in product development enables lower impact and more circular products. Replicability Shift produces modular, easy-to-repair devices such as smartphones and speakers made with circularity in mind. Fairphone creates phones and audio devices that are easy to repair and built to last. iFixIt is spearheading the right-to-repair movement and is working with major tech manufacturers to improve the repairability of their devices. They also provide repair guides, parts and tools to break down barriers to repair. Refurbed offers a range of refurbished technology, such as mice, keyboards and headsets, giving them a second life. Google’s Pixel Watch 4 is assembled with screws and seals instead of glue, making it more repairable. iFixIt rated its repairability a 9/10 and called it “the first mainstream smartwatch to make repairability cool.” ALL CASE STUDIES

Discover key insights into advancing a circular economy within Ireland’s MedTech sector. This page introduces CIRCULÉIRE’s “Unpacking the Circular Innovation Opportunities for Ireland’s MedTech Sector” guide, designed for industry leaders, policymakers, funders, and innovators seeking best‑practice strategies to drive sustainability and circularity in medical technology. Learn how circular design, resource efficiency, and innovation can shape the future of MedTech in Ireland. Button Button Button

ab85e4a6-f838-4371-b1cb-0cee6b3a87ef CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: THE NATIONAL MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE SCOTLAND (NMIS) WEBSITE: NMIS.SCOT SECTOR: RESEARCH SERVICES PUBLISHED : 29 JANUARY 2026 TAGS: CIRCULARMANUFACTURING, REMANUFACTURING, MATERIALEFFICIENCY, NETZERO, INDUSTRIALINNOVATION, DIGITALPRODUCTPASSPORT, SERVITISATION, MANUFACTURINGSKILLS, VALUERETENTION, SUPPLYCHAINRESILIENCE In the second week of September 2025, a delegation of CIRCULÉIRE members and staff was invited to Glasgow, Scotland, by Zero Waste Scotland to meet Circular Economy Industry Pioneers and Stakeholders from the Scottish Ecosystem. On Tuesday, September 9 th , our delegation visited the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, a publicly funded initiative that champions and derisks innovation in the manufacturing industry. This case study is part of a special series to transfer knowledge and learnings to Circular Economy Pioneers in the Irish Ecosystem. The Challenge Scotland’s economy runs almost entirely on virgin materials; 98% of the materials it uses come from freshly extracted resources. In 2018, this added up to 21.7 tonnes per person, nearly twice the global average (Circle Economy et al., 2022) . This “take, make, dispose” approach is costing the planet. Worldwide, the extraction and processing of materials account for half of all greenhouse gas emissions and over 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress ( UNEP, 2019 ). The situation is getting worse; in 2018, 9.1% of materials were recirculated globally ( Circle Economy, 2018 ), but this figure has since fallen to just 6.9% in 2025 ( Circle Economy, 2025 ). Scotland contributes to this impact; it imports significant quantities of materials and goods while also extracting fossil fuels domestically, which makes the country’s true carbon footprint 42% larger than what occurs within its geographic borders (Circle Economy et al., 2022) . If Scotland wants to cut its environmental impact meaningfully, it needs to rethink how materials are used. Moving towards a circular economy offers a clear path forward. Circle Economy’s 2022 Circularity Gap Report Scotland estimates that adopting circular practices in the manufacturing sector alone could cut the country’s material footprint by roughly 11% and lower emissions by nearly 5%. The Circular Solution The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is key to reshaping how Scotland makes and uses materials. By helping manufacturers embrace new technologies and innovate with less risk, NMIS is guiding the industry towards a more circular future. The UK government aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 to 2050, and NMIS is crucial to this effort. NMIS’s state-of-the-art facility in Renfrewshire is home to their Digital Factory, Manufacturing Skills Academy and Collaboration Hub. They also operate a second site in Renfrewshire and have a presence in Sheffield and North Ayrshire. Operated by the University of Strathclyde and supported by the Scottish Government and other public partners, it serves as a meeting point where innovation and sustainability are combined. The ReMake Value Retention Centre is NMIS’s spearhead project on developing remanufacturing solutions across industries. This £10+ million project focuses on sectors critical to national infrastructure, such as aerospace and power generation, and aims to keep products at their highest value instead of sending them to landfill. Since its opening, NMIS has supported over 700 research and development projects and engaged with more than 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. They have also delivered over 365 free training opportunities to help businesses build the skills needed to decarbonise the economy ( HVM Catapult, n.d. ). Climate Impact Around 70% of direct industrial emissions come from the extraction and processing of the basic raw materials ( Bashmakov et al., 2022 ). By remanufacturing parts to their original, or even improved, performance, these emissions stay locked in, cutting environmental impact dramatically. A circular supply chain also reduces costs and lead times while strengthening industrial resilience in critical sectors. NMIS’s ReMake Value Retention Centre is helping companies make this shift to remanufacturing by addressing challenges across technology, business models, policies, standards, culture, skills, and investment. Momentum is building with new EU rules requiring nearly all products sold in the EU to carry a Digital Product Passport (DPP) . A DPP contains detailed data on materials, processes, and emissions. ReMake helps firms not only collect and manage this data but also turn it into value. With a DPP, businesses can interact more effectively with customers, sell approved spare parts, and share repair manuals or service records. ReMake is shifting the DPP from a compliance burden to a tool for monetisation and stronger customer relationships (Munawar, 2025) . ReMake also supports firms in developing new business models. Instead of one-off product sales, companies can move towards servitisation. This allows them to build long-term service relationships backed by remanufacturing and data-driven insights. This business model innovation, backed by technology, can extend product lifecycles, generate recurring revenue, and keep customers engaged (Fitzpatrick, 2025) . The National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland, through ReMake, is helping redesign the future of manufacturing in Scotland and beyond. Replicability Irish Manufacturing Research partners with industry to demystify emerging technologies, de-risk adoption, and deliver real-world impact. They bridge the gap between technology and business, ensuring companies can harness the latest advancements to drive efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. They lead CIRCULÉIRE , a dynamic, cross-sectoral public-private network dedicated to advancing circularity and developing circular business models in Ireland. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Germany is one of the world’s leading applied research organisations. It comprises a network of 75 institutes with an annual budget of €3.6 billion, two-thirds of which is directly funded by industry. They drive the shift to a sustainable, circular economy by developing innovative technologies, strategies, and collaborative solutions that transform industrial practices and support environmental and economic resilience. RISE Research Institutes of Sweden is a major applied research centre for manufacturing competitiveness, sustainability, and digital innovation. ALL CASE STUDIES

53e9ca15-eec9-410e-8dc7-82acc72cf26b CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: MEADE FARM WEBSITE: MEADEFARM.IE SECTOR : AGRICULTURE, FOOD & BEVERAGE PUBLISHED: 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 TAGS: FOODWASTEREDUCTION, FOODWASTE, AGRITECH, CIRCULARFOODSYSTEMS, FOODINNOVATION, WASTEVALORISATION The Challenge Food waste is a significant global sustainability challenge, generating 8–10% of greenhouse gas emissions ( UNEP 2024 ). If food waste were counted as a country, it would be the third-largest emitter in the world ( EDGAR 2024 ). Within the food system, it is estimated that about 38% of total energy use is expended on food that is ultimately wasted ( Geneva Environment Network, 2024 ). About 13% of food is lost in the supply chain from harvest to retail, with a further 19% wasted at the consumer, retail, and food service stages ( FAO 2022 ). Globally, more than 30% of food produced goes uneaten. A major cause is strict cosmetic and quality standards applied to fresh produce. In Ireland and internationally, fruit and vegetables are often rejected due to being misshapen, the wrong size, blemished, damaged during harvest or storage, showing signs of sprouting, or simply because they represent a surplus to retailer requirements—even though such produce remains perfectly suitable for human consumption ( Vlaemynck et al., 2017 ). This results in up to 30% of vegetables never reaching the consumer market. These standards rarely reflect nutritional quality or food safety, but largely visual preferences ( Porter et al., 2018 ). Meanwhile, over 735 million people face hunger globally ( United Nations, 2023 ). Circular Solution Meade Farm, based in Lobinstown, Co. Meath, has developed a circular approach to address this challenge. The company grows, packs, and distributes premium fresh fruit and vegetables nationwide. Its state-of-the-art potato starch facility, unique in Ireland and the UK, processes "out of specification" and surplus potato stock, converting what was previously classified as "non-table grade" or animal-feed potatoes into high-value food-grade starch ( Interreg Europe, 2021 ). This starch is supplied to food manufacturers and also sold in retail packs. Meade Farm Group estimates that 20–30% of its potatoes traditionally did not meet retail market standards, achieving only €20–€30 per tonne as animal feed. Through starch production, these same potatoes now achieve values of €700–€1,000 per tonne for premium food-grade starch ( Interreg Europe, 2021 ). This practice represents a significant shift in value retention and resource efficiency. The company's circular economy activities also include engagement with FoodCloud and local gleaning networks to further reduce on-farm crop loss. Produce left behind in the field after harvest is picked up and donated to food charities, which benefits communities and raises awareness of food waste prevention ( Meade Farm, 2024 ). Sustainability is a core value, and Meade Farm is working toward carbon neutrality through investment in renewable energy (wind and solar) and circular packaging innovations ( Interreg Europe, 2021 ). Climate & Economic Impact By valorising surplus potatoes for starch production, Meade Farm has established a sustainable supply chain model that enables locally-sourced starch to substitute for imported ingredients. Meade Farm’s innovation now offers Irish food manufacturers and consumers a lower-carbon, fully traceable, and circular alternative. The process additionally reduces emissions formerly associated with transporting waste potatoes for feed or landfill. With up to 30% of vegetables rejected for cosmetic reasons alone, the Meade Farm model demonstrates one way production residues can be valorised at scale. The persistence of visual and cosmetic grading standards in food supply chains poses important questions for policy, retail, and consumer culture ( The Climate Drive, 2025 ). Revisiting these standards is fundamental to advancing a circular, climate-resilient food system where no resources go to waste. Replicability The market for starch and starch products was 134.5 million tonnes in 2022, set to rise to 199.8 million tonnes by 2030 ( Manitoba Government, 2023 ). Meade Farm Group’s practices exemplify how integrating surplus-utilisation measures can open new value streams and reduce waste in agriculture. Their approach is aligned with European circular economy best practice and is replicable in other contexts where large portions of edible produce are routinely excluded from the market. Other notable examples of companies tackling food waste are: FoodCloud (Ireland/UK) are a food redistribution network rescuing surplus edible food from farms, retailers, and manufacturers to supply charities, effectively reducing food waste while tackling hunger. British Sugar (UK) utilizes sugar beet and process residuals for multiple product lines, including animal feed, bioplastics, and energy generation. They demonstrate industrial symbiosis and circularity in large-scale agri-food operations. Toast Ale (UK) brew their beer using surplus or “waste” bread from bakeries and retailers as a key raw ingredient. They turn ingredients discarded for appearance or oversupply into a profitable product, while raising awareness on food waste. Too Good To Go (Europe-wide) are a food waste app enabling retailers, restaurants, and producers to sell surplus food directly to consumers at a discount, cutting waste in retail and hospitality supply chains. Kaffe Bueno (Denmark) converts spent coffee grounds from hospitality and industry into bio-based ingredients for nutrition, agriculture, and personal care. This diverts a major source of organic waste and aligns with circular resource recovery in food sectors ALL CASE STUDIES

The circular economy is an economic model that is restorative and regenerative by design. The circular economy stems from the realisation that Earth is a finite system constrained by planetary boundaries. Ultimately in nature the concept of waste does not exist – everything is transformed into a resource that can be utilised. In this page you can learn more about circular economy benefits, enablers, strategies, and sectoral opportunities. THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY WHAT IS IT? BENEFITS ENABLERS STRATEGIES SECTORAL OPPORTUNITIES Circularity is a new way to design, make and use goods and materials The circular economy is an economic model that is restorative and regenerative by design. The circular economy stems from the realisation that Earth is a finite system constrained by planetary boundaries. Ultimately in nature the concept of waste does not exist – everything is transformed into a resource that can be utilised. The circular economy aims to keep materials, components, and products in-use in the economy for as long as possible. In circularity, the key objective is to design consumption and production systems to create and retain value. Circularity seeks to optimise every aspect of a product’s lifecycle, from raw material extraction to manufacturing and first use, and multiple use-lives thereafter; through product re-design, new business models and novel technologies and processes. The global and European decarbonisation transition agenda has led to increased emphasis on promoting circular economy policies and initiatives at national and regional levels, and in many contexts, has been accompanied with an increased strengthening of statutory decarbonisation reuse/repair, recycling and waste reduction targets. Embedding circular economy practices into production and consumption systems is fundamental to realising Ireland and Europe's shared ambition for a net-zero carbon and circular future. The 2019 introduction of the European Green Deal made a transition to the circular economy a necessity to making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In 2021, the Government of Ireland followed suit by enacting its own Circular Economy Strategy and enshrining the Circular Economy Act in law in 2022. These significant policies solidify the circular economy as the foundation pillar of Ireland's climate and economic development agendas into the future. Benefits of the Circular Economy MACRO-ECONOMIC Circular business models enable the decoupling of GDP from resource use and can deliver significant: • Economic growth through value creation and cost savings • Decarbonisation and resilience to resource price volatility • Security of supply through the creation of secondary raw material markets ENVIRONMENTAL Circularity is a key to decarbonisation and contributes to UN SDGs and ESG. Key environmental benefits include: • Decarbonisation and carbon emission reductions from waste elimination • Reductions of virgin material extraction (across materials, water, and energy nexus) • Reduction in biodiversity loss associated with virgin material extraction SOCIAL Scaling circularity can contribute to addressing labour market skill gaps and regional unemployment. Key social benefits include: • Significant job creation, job retention, and upskilling potential • Quality work at all skill levels • Cost savings from products-as-a-service and remanufactured/refurbished goods BUSINESS The circular economy represents a significant innovation and differentiation opportunity for enterprise. Key industry benefits include: • Resilience to resource price-volatility and supply-chain shocks • New revenue models and value creation opportunities • Enhanced customer relationships and enhanced customer loyalty Enablers of the Circular Economy Widespread support of the circular economy is essential for a smooth and successful transition. Behind the scenes of this global movement are individuals, organisations, and systems acting as catalysts for change to mainstream circularity. Without enablers of the circular economy on a wide scale to smooth the way for change and foster practices and policy to encourage circularity, change wouldn’t be possible. Industry 4.0 Digitalisation Circularity is enabled by digital technologies and strategies referred to collectively as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or “Industry 4.0”. Digitalisation strategies include the Internet of Things, block-chain, advanced robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, remote-sensing, and 3-D printing amongst others. Digitalisation is a key enabler of the circular economy because of the importance that information plays in keeping materials, components, and products in-use in the economy. From data-driven circular processes in manufacturing sites, to real-time resource usage information across product life cycles and value chains, to material specifications contained in digital material passports to optimised reverse logistics. Mobilising Finance Faster mobilisation of capital is one of the key ingredients needed to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Current funding & investment models largely ignore linear risks associated with linear business practices, e.g., scarcity of primary resources, volatility of resource prices and increasingly stringent environmental laws, but that is starting to change. Some key examples of circular financing developments include: •The Joint Initiative on Circular Economy (JICE), launched by the European Union’s largest public promotional banks and institutions •The Mulilateral Development Banks (MDBs) have established a joint working group to focus on continued support for circular economy approaches •Intesa Sanpaolo set up the Plafond, a dedicated €8 billion credit facility (extended in 2020 from an initial €5 billion) for innovative companies with business practices aligned to circular economy principles. •Investment giant BlackRock launched the BGF Circular Economy Fund which invests globally at least 80% of its total assets in the equity securities (i.e. shares) of companies globally that benefit from, or contribute to, the advancement of the “Circular Economy”. Cross-Sectoral Collaboration Policy & Regulatory Frameworks European policy has been a key driver in the transition towards a circular economy. The 2020 EU Green Deal placed circularity at the centre stage, promoting sustainable business practices for a future-proof economy. The recent introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), closely links a company’s resource use with its sustainability performance. For the first time, the ESRS E5 standard within the CSRD mandates reporting on resource consumption, waste generation, circular design, and material recovery. This encourages companies to assess their circularity across their entire value chain. In Ireland, the upcoming third update of the Climate Action Plan (due in 2024) reinforces this commitment. The plan outlines a roadmap to achieve Ireland's climate goals and promotes circular innovation through policy measures like Green Public Procurement. These measures incentivize wider adoption of circular strategies across Irish businesses. Global circularity currently stands at just 7.2% (Circle Economy, 2023). To progress the circular economy, cross-sectoral synergies are vital to transforming linear business models to circular ones. This collaborative approach can be seen throughout the CIRCULÉIRE network. Our Innovation Pilot Projects and member projects such as The ZeroNet’s C2X Smart Waste Pilot perfectly exemplify how knowledge sharing and capacity building can unlock circular solutions. Novel forms of multi-stakeholder collaborations are pivotal because they demonstrate and exemplify the value of circularity and contribute to the transformation of industrial sectors through mainstreaming circularity thinking. Enabling Infrastructure The transition from a linear “take-make-waste" model to a circular economy in Ireland requires infrastructural change. For example: •Collaborative online platforms to facilitate sharing, renting, or leasing products to extend their lifespan. •Efficient reverse logistics networks that enable refurbishment or remanufacturing through take-back or collection schemes •Real-time digital marketplaces that can facilitate industrial symbiosis between industries and sectors by harvesting underutilised resources from one another. •Expanding investment in local and national recycling plants to capture valuable materials currently lost from industrial waste due to insufficient economies of scale. Mindset Change Social factors, particularly environmental values and beliefs are having a direct impact on consumer behaviour. This is driving consumers towards the more sustainable option, leading to a demand driven shift in how manufacturers are managing their supply chains. The rise of social enterprises that promote access over ownership such as clothing rental online stores and apps, are making it easier for consumers to choose a more circular option. Circular Economy Strategies Design for Circularity Product-Service-Systems (PSS) Re-Use & Shared Use Remanufacturing Repair & Refurbishment Take-Back Schemes & Reverse Logistics Industrial Symbiosis Recycling Design for Circularity Design for Circularity refers to the process in which companies seek to re-design their products and associated business models to enable the retention of embedded value. Design for Circularity is aligned with Eco-Design and seeks to anticipate and minimize negative environmental impacts associated with manufacture, use and disposal of products. Design for Circularity gives priority to design principles and strategies which enable materials, components, and products to have multiple use-lives in our economy. Product-Service-Systems (PSS) A product-service-system (PSS) describes the transformation of a traditional product offering into a product-service model where ownership of a product is retained by the manufacturer or distributer. In PSS, end-users are given access to products through pay-per-use, short-term rental, or long-term lease models. Central to successful PSS are products that are designed for; longevity, and backward and forward compatibility, utilise predictive maintenance and have an enabling service network which ensures high-quality performance. Re-Use & Shared Use Re-use refers to when a product or component is used again for the same purpose. Shared Use refers to collaborative consumption (e.g. Peer-to-Peer or B2C) or asset sharing (B2B). New B2B business models are emerging which facilitate the sharing of overcapacity of business equipment and even the underutilised skills and knowledge of personnel. Re-Use and Shared Use are cornerstones of the circular economy because they increase the utilisation of products across multiple use-lives. Remanufacturing Remanufacturing is when a used product is returned to the standard of an equivalent new product. Remanufacturing involves the disassembly, restoration, replacement and testing of the individual components and the product itself to ensure it complies with its original design specifications. Remanufactured products come with warranties assuring that products meet like-new performance standards. These warranties are at least equal to that of a newly manufactured equivalent. Repair & Refurbishment Repair refers to the process through which apparent faults and product malfunctions are rectified. Refurbishment goes a step further and entails activities to refinish and sanitize a product, so it is fit to serve its original function. Refurbishment results in a product that is in good condition but is not directly comparable with a new or remanufactured product. While important resource-life extension strategies, neither repair nor refurbishment guarantee the product will perform like new. Take-Back Schemes & Reverse Logistics Take-Back Schemes are programmes implemented by companies to recover products or packaging from end-users so they can be repaired, re-used, remanufactured, or recycled to recover the embedded value in raw materials. Take-Back Schemes are underpinned by what is referred to as Reverse Logistics. Reverse Logistics refers to when goods move from end-users back to the retailer/distributor, original manufacturer or a third-party repair, re-use, or recycling organisation. Industrial Symbiosis Industrial Symbiosis (IS) refers to a collaboration between two or more geographically close companies whereby residuals or by-products of one industry or industrial process become the raw materials for another process within a manufacturing site (Closed-Loop Production) or industry. Industrial Symbiosis includes: the capture, recovery, and re-use of waste (materials, water, or energy) and the development of secondary raw material markets and logistics networks to facilitate by-product exchange or co-product development. Recycling Recycling is the collection and processing of discarded materials and transformation into secondary raw materials. There are three types of recycling – mechanical, thermodynamic or energy recovery. Mechanical refers to when residuals are mechanically transformed without changing their chemical structure. Thermodynamic (chemical) involves breaking materials into their molecular components to create raw materials for new products. Energy recovery by combustion – a last resort – is when waste is transformed into usable heat, electricity, or fuel. Sectoral Opportunities Food & Drink BioPharmaChem Built Environment Packaging Electronics & Batteries Plastics Furniture Textiles Food & Drink Ireland's renowned food & drink sector, including over 700 manufacturers and employing over 160,000 people (Teagasc ), faces a critical challenge: reducing its environmental footprint. Currently, agriculture contributes nearly 39% of Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions (SEAI ). The agri-food sector holds immense potential for embracing circularity and reducing its environmental impact. This can be achieved through several key approaches. First, by optimising production processes, the sector can minimise waste generation and energy consumption. Second, closed-loop production systems can be designed, where food processing byproducts are reused as valuable inputs within the production chain, minimising the need for external resources. Finally, valorisation through cascading utilises food waste and byproducts to create high-value secondary raw materials for other industries, such as bioplastics or biofuels. BioPharmaChem Ireland is home to a thriving pharmaceutical sector, with over 90 biopharma manufacturing plants housing all the top 10 global players and 14 of the world's leading multinationals. However, stringent hygiene protocols often lead to high material use. Recognising this environmental challenge, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EPFIA) sees the circular economy as a key solution for reducing the sector's carbon footprint within its highly regulated environment. The pharmaceutical industry has significant opportunities to embrace circularity. A key focus is shifting towards renewable biomaterials, a more sustainable alternative to traditional materials. Additionally, by leveraging new technologies like automation and 3D printing, pharmaceutical companies can significantly reduce waste generation throughout the manufacturing process. Construction & Building The construction sector is a significant contributor to the European economy, generating roughly 5.5% of GDP and employing apx 7.6 million people (CEDEFOP, 2023 ) However, it also faces a sustainability challenge. Globally, construction is responsible for an estimated 37% of carbon emissions, and in Europe alone, construction and demolition waste makes up a third of all waste, with only half currently recycled (UNEP, 2023 ). The circular economy offers a path to a more sustainable future for construction. One key opportunity involves designing buildings as "material banks." This means planning structures with the eventual disassembly and reuse of their materials in mind. Imagine buildings as repositories of valuable resources waiting for their next life cycle. Furthermore, improvements in waste logistics and the development of novel recycling techniques can significantly improve construction and demolition waste recovery and reuse rates. Packaging Packaging waste in Europe hit a record high in 2021, with an average of 188.7kg generated per person (EC, 2021 ). While packaging plays a vital role in protecting products, enabling efficient logistics, and communicating brand messages, its environmental impact demands a rethink. The Government of Ireland's Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy recognises this challenge and sets an ambitious goal: all packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030. The packaging sector has significant circular opportunities to meet this target. A key focus is reducing unnecessary packaging through "design for light-weighting." This means using less material while still ensuring product integrity. Furthermore, promoting reusable and recyclable packaging systems minimises waste generation. Another strategy is simplifying packaging complexity. This could involve reducing the variety of materials used in a single package or eliminating hard-to-recycle polymers. Additionally, developing effective refill systems and reusable packaging solutions can significantly reduce waste at the consumer level. Electronics & Batteries Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the fastest growing waste stream in Europe, surging by 2% annually, with a recycling rate of 42.8% (Statista, 2022 ). The European Commission, recognizing this challenge, has proposed a "Circular Electronics Initiative" to address this mounting issue. Similar concerns are echoed in Ireland, where over 66,000 tonnes of e-waste were collected for treatment in 2022 alone (EPA, 2022 ). The electronics and ICT sector has significant opportunities to embrace circularity and become a more sustainable industry. A key focus is on designing for longevity. This means creating electronics built to last longer, potentially through modular components or upgradeable features, encouraging multiple lifespans for these devices. Additionally, designing for disassembly is crucial. By simplifying the dismantling process, valuable rare earth materials can be easily recovered and reused in new products, minimizing reliance on virgin resources. Plastics Plastic's versatility and recyclability make it a cornerstone of modern life. However, with plastic consumption projected to double in the next two decades and pollution a growing concern, the European Union is taking action. The EU Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy and the Directive on Single-Use Plastic Products aim to minimise the environmental impact of plastic waste. This directive, embedded into Irish law in 2021, represents a significant step forward. Under these new plans, all plastic packaging on the EU market must be recyclable by 2030. The EU has set Ireland a target to separate and collect 70% of plastic beverage bottles by 2025, rising to 90% in 2029. In response, the Government of Ireland launched a Deposit Return Scheme to create a closed loop recycling system guaranteeing the material is returned and recycled. There are a variety of opportunities available for the Plastic sector to embrace circularity. A key focus is moving away from single-use plastics, a major contributor to waste. Exploring bio-based and biodegradable alternatives offers a promising path. Additionally, eliminating complex, hard-to-recycle polymers from plastic products will streamline the recycling process and increase resource recovery rates. Furniture The European Union is one of the largest furniture manufacturers globally, producing nearly a quarter of the world's furniture €110 billion market dominated by SMEs (Furniture Industry in Europe, 2024 ). However, a significant challenge looms – Europe discards an estimated 10.5 million tonnes of furniture annually (EEB, 2017 ). The Irish furniture sector, encompassing diverse areas like cabinetry, bedding, and office furniture, has massive potential to embrace circularity. One key strategy is to design furniture with disassembly and easy repair in mind. This allows furniture to have multiple lifespans through remanufacturing or refurbishment, minimizing waste destined for landfills. An example of this can be found in the Do More with Less Innovation Pilot Project led by CIRCULÉIRE member Farrell Furniture that moved Irish Government's Office of Public Works from linear to circular procurement. Additionally, the industry can explore using recycled materials in furniture production, creating a closed-loop system that reduces reliance on virgin resources. Other sustainable and recyclable materials can also be explored as alternatives to traditional furniture components, reducing environmental impact. Textiles & Clothing The fashion industry grapples with a significant environmental challenge. In Ireland the generation of post-consumer textile waste is estimated at 35KG per person per year, this is higher than the reported EU average of 26Kg per person per year (O’Leary et al, 2021). While domestic textile production is limited, resulting in the import of much of the associated environmental impact, this waste stream presents a unique opportunity for the Irish sector. A key strategy is to scale up existing efforts in redesign and repurposing used textiles. This can involve transforming old clothes into new garments, utilising second-hand fashion through “thrifting”, or embracing digital transitions to online fashion rental. By extending the lifespan of these materials, the industry can divert waste from landfills and create unique, sustainable products. Furthermore, Ireland can explore the exciting potential of "reshoring" textile manufacturing, which involves developing innovative methods to transform textile waste into high-quality secondary raw materials. This approach not only reduces reliance on virgin resources and associated emissions, but also fosters a more localised and sustainable textile industry in Ireland.

9f5d5c2f-4feb-44dc-b0a6-8f9a89d781d6 CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: RENT THE RUNWAY WEBSITE: RENTTHERUNWAY.COM SECTOR : FASHION & TEXTILES PUBLISHED: 30 OCTOBER 2025 TAGS: SUSTAINABLEFASHION, CLOTHINGRENTAL, CIRCULARFASHION, ACCESS-OVER-OWNERSHIP, PRODUCT-AS-A-SERVICE, TEXTILEWASTE, SLOWFASHION, RESALE The Challenge The fashion industry accounts for 8–10% of annual global carbon emissions—more than international flights and shipping combined ( Leal Filho et al., 2022 ). Clothes however, are an everyday essential. Across the world, clothes act as both protection from the elements and a form of expression. Recent decades have seen exponential growth in clothing production due to globalisation, urbanisation, and population growth, with up to 60% of global fibre production destined for clothing ( Leal Filho et al., 2022 ). Currently, the fashion industry largely operates in a linear model, extracting mostly non-renewable resources to manufacture garments that are frequently worn for a short period of time before being disposed of or incinerated ( Circular Economy Month, 2024 ). Less than half of all used clothing is collected for reuse or recycling, and only one percent is converted into new clothing ( European Parliament, 2024 ). Furthermore, the textile industry utilises large amounts of natural resources, contributing to environmental degradation. Making one cotton t-shirt requires 2,700 litres of fresh water - enough to satisfy one person’s drinking needs for two and a half years ( European Parliament, 2024 ) - and textile dyeing contributes to about 20% of global clean water pollution ( European Parliament, 2024 ). A Circular Solution Rent the Runway (RTR), founded in 2009, is an online platform that allows customers to rent, subscribe, or purchase designer clothing and accessories. Harvard Business School classmates, Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss, founded the company after seeing Hyman’s sister overspend on an expensive dress for a wedding. They envisioned a ‘Closet in the Cloud’ model, filled with designer styles to rent, wear and return for a fraction of the cost. In 2010 they expanded into designer necklaces, earrings and handbags and launched a plus size category in 2013, before opening a bricks-and-mortar store in New York in 2014. Then in 2016 they launched their monthly subscription model. RTR offers three monthly subscription plans that allow users to select at least five items per month from over 10,000 options for a fee. Users may choose to hold on to items for as long as they please or purchase them outright. Items are sold at a significant discounted rate, often exceeding 50% off the original retail price. When each rental is returned, specialists professionally clean them and items are repaired as needed to increase their longevity. Climate Impact RTR’s rental-based business model reduces both environmental and social costs associated with new clothing. On average, renting through their platform consumes 24% less water, 6% less energy, and generates 3% less carbon emissions per garment versus purchasing a new item ( RTR, 2025 ). Over the past decade, RTR has saved: 67 million gallons of water, which could fill approximately 101 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 98.6 million kWh of energy, enough to power 12,697 households in a year. 44.2 million pounds of CO 2 emissions, comparable to 47,737 roundtrip flights between Dallas, Texas and Newark, New Jersey ( RTR, 2025). Since 2010, RTR’s rental model has displaced the production of about 1.6 million new garments. As of January 2024, 6.5 million garments were repaired, and 1.4 million decommissioned rental products were diverted from landfill via resale, donation, or recycling with partner organizations. Replicability The global clothing industry is valued at USD 1.3 trillion and employs over 400 million people across the value chain ( Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017 ). However, clothing underutilisation and the lack of recycling result in an annual value loss of more than USD 500 billion ( Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017 ). RTR has developed a circular business model that effectively taps into the underutilised clothing market while decreasing resource consumption, carbon emissions and waste. Other examples of companies championing circular textile solutions include: The Renewal Workshop (USA) upcycles post-consumer clothing via repair and resale. Worn Again Technologies (UK) innovates chemical recycling for fibre-to-fibre garment recovery. Stuff4Life (UK) converts end-of-life workwear PPE into new polymer feedstock. UsedFULLY (NZ) is pioneering scalable end-of-life textile reuse, including cellulose-based construction materials from textile waste ( Circuleire, 2024 ). ALL CASE STUDIES

d40f2141-868e-4e7d-bad4-c47dc8c4b28a CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: DELTAQ WEBSITE: DELTAQ.IE SECTOR : PLASTICS PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: PLASTICS, CIRCULAR MANUFACTURING About DeltaQ DeltaQ is a leading supply partner to the plastic manufacturing industry in Ireland. They work with their industry clients to analyse the technical needs of their products and then provide additives and compounds that give those products a wide variety of special properties, such as colour, strength, flexibility, temperature resistance etc. Their customers come from all sectors ranging from medical supplies to the construction industry. DeltaQ prioritises sustainability and strives to assist Ireland in reaching its climate targets. Restructuring their shipments of materials from suppliers and product delivery processes was one of the steps they implemented to lessen their environmental impacts. Tackling Pallet & Packaging Waste In the past, when DeltaQ received their supplies, they arrived on a range of different sized wooden pallets. The size of these pallets frequently differed from the standard sizes that DeltaQ uses to ship their own finished products. Moreover, the supplies were individually packaged in 20kg plastic bags which were then wrapped in another layer of plastic for protection during transportation and delivery. In between the pallet and the supplies was a thick custom branded cardboard skirt. All this single use packaging created significant waste. DeltaQ’s sustainability team saw value in addressing the financial and environmental costs associated with their disposal. Impact To Date DeltaQ identified products that they manufacture for which their supplier pallets could be re-used. This allowed the pallets to be redistributed to their customers rather than being thrown away. Previously, non-standard pallets were disposed of through a waste recycling provider. Through this initiative, DeltaQ has prevented the waste of 213 pallets since the beginning of 2023.A EUR sized wooden pallet has a partial carbon footprint equivalent to 5kg of CO2 ( Deviatkin, 2019 ). Meaning that DeltaQ has prevented approximately 1065kg of carbon emissions, or 2730 miles driven by an average petrol powered passenger vehicle ( epa.gov 2023 ). DeltaQ also initiated a broader packaging review. They shifted to semi-bulk deliveries for key ingredients, which reduced the net number of pallets received and incurred more standard sizes. The transition to semi-bulk containers also resulted in a net reduction in plastic packaging waste as supplies are now shipped in one large container instead of packaged individually and there is no need for external plastic wrapping. Where possible, DeltaQ requests that supplies are delivered in large unbranded cardboard boxes. Cardboard and un- branded packaging is easier to recycle and re-use. Also, the semi-bulk packaging either has a thin cardboard skirt or has none. The removal of pallet skirts has had an initial 30% reduction in cardboard use. To further reduce cardboard waste, DeltaQ identified finished products for which they can reuse stock cardboard arriving with supplies. Furthermore, shifting to semi- bulk packaging allowed them to automate the material handling process, reducing manual labour and creating a better work environment for employees. Replicability DeltaQ has already begun to explore other avenues for re-use of their packaging. This process means engaging with and educating their own clients on the value of semi-bulk packaging and the use of packaging from recycled streams. Starting conversations like these, with customers and suppliers, can have a ripple effect further up and down the supply chain, encouraging others to look at their own sustainability and environmental impacts. Reusing packaging and packing materials is one of the simplest ways for businesses to reduce their environmental impact, and is easily replicable. A noteworthy example is Freefoam , another Circuléire member that reuses pallet hoods and liners. ALL CASE STUDIES

35baa048-ee0d-45bc-8725-03cc682c3bb5 CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: HIBRA DESIGN WEBSITE: HIBRA.IE SECTOR : AUTOMOTIVE PUBLISHED: 12 FEBRUARY 2026 TAGS: ELECTRIC VEHICLE RETROFITS, CIRCULAR TRANSPORT, FLEET DECARBONISATION, AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING, EMISSIONS REDUCTION, COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION, LOW‑CARBON LOGISTICS, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY The Problem Transport is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in Europe and has made little progress in decarbonising over the past few decades ( EEA, 2025 ). Despite advances in electrification and biofuels, transport emissions in 2024 were still higher than in 2012 ( EEA, 2025 ). In Ireland, transport has experienced the most significant increase in emissions of any sector since 1990 – up 129% ( EPA, n.d. ). In recent years, however, there has been some improvement. In 2024, Ireland’s transport emissions were approximately 5% lower than pre-COVID levels, largely due to growing electric vehicle (EV) adoption ( EPA, 2025 ). That year, 25% of new vehicle registrations were battery electric or hybrid electric vehicles, bringing the national EV fleet to 148,900, which exceeded the Climate Action Plan’s target ( EPA, 2025 ). Yet even if every passenger car were an EV, 51% of vehicle emissions would be unchanged because of the trucks, buses and vans on our roads ( EPA, 2025 ). Commercial vehicles typically have long service lives, which influences how companies account for both their costs and emissions. In Ireland, more than half of the national bus fleet is over five years old ( NTA, 2021 ), while half of the heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are over eleven years old ( Climate Change Advisory Council, 2024 ). Replacing these vehicles early, while they're still good and usable, with EVs can cut operational emissions and fuel costs. For example, driving 10,000 km in an EV car costs approximately €145, compared with around €1,350 in a petrol-powered car ( Cupra, n.d. ). But they require high upfront investment and generate new manufacturing emissions. Retaining the existing fossil fuel-powered vehicles avoids these manufacturing impacts but perpetuates higher operational emissions. A more circular approach is to retrofit diesel vehicles with electric batteries and motors. This requires less capital investment; research indicates that new medium-duty electric trucks and buses typically have payback periods of 7.5 and 8.3 years, respectively. Retrofitted equivalents, however, can achieve payback in 4.7 and 4.5 years ( Primus Partners, 2024 ). This shorter payback window makes investing in retrofit solutions more attractive to fleet operators. However, the optimal pathway for fleet operators between these options depends on vehicle condition, age, mileage, electricity mix, and available capital, requiring a case-by-case assessment. The Circular Solution Hibra Design is an Irish automotive engineering company that takes existing diesel-powered commercial vehicles and retrofits them with battery electric powertrains (Powertrain refers to the system that delivers power to the wheels; in a diesel vehicle, this includes the engine, gearbox, drive shaft, etc.). This enables Hibra Design to extend the lifespan of existing vehicles, reduce operational costs, and significantly cut emissions. The company’s engineering approach allows for customised vehicle redesign and prototype development tailored to meet the performance and reliability needs of the client. Each retrofit involves detailed analysis of thermodynamics, electrical systems, and ergonomics, while maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards. As well as reducing fuel emissions, Hibra Design’s approach retains the embedded carbon already invested in the original vehicle structure, avoiding the emissions associated with manufacturing a new one. This supports both decarbonisation and circular economy objectives by extending vehicle life and maximising material value. The company has also developed its internal Hibra Design System, which analyses real-world operational data from its clients, such as fuel use, distance travelled, and operating hours. This enables three key outcomes: Technical feasibility assessment of vehicle electrification based on operational patterns. Economic analysis of cost and return on investment for fleet operators. Engineering and implementation of customised zero-emission solutions. Through this data-driven methodology, Hibra Design helps clients identify viable decarbonisation pathways and transition towards circular, low-carbon fleet operations, with significant cost savings. Video of Ireland's first electric tractor built in Cork by Hibra Design Climate Impact Retrofitting internal combustion vehicles to electric powertrains delivers emission savings. An independent life cycle assessment of a converted Smart ForTwo found a 45% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions compared to a new EV. This was driven by the reuse of the existing structure and the lower fuel emissions ( Innocenti et al., 2024 ). In India, where the electricity grid is more carbon-intensive, retrofitted buses and trucks achieved operational emission savings of 26 and 36 tonnes of CO₂ per year, respectively ( Primus Partners, 2024 ). In Ireland, Hibra Design demonstrated the potential impact of this approach through a feasibility study for Iarnród Éireann at Rosslare Europort. The study showed that 98% of terminal tractor operations could be powered by battery-electric technology, eliminating tailpipe emissions and saving approximately €200,000 per year in operational costs. Replicability New Electric is a Dutch company that has been converting a wide range of commercial vehicles, including everything from Hilux trucks to asphalt rollers to tugboats, to fully electric since 2008. ABB retrofits large-scale mining trucks. In one example, a 30-year-old 147-tonne mining truck was converted to a fully electric drivetrain, saving around 100,000 litres of fuel per year. Electric Classic Cars is the world’s largest converter of classic cars to electric drivetrains, giving old cars new technology. ALL CASE STUDIES