9f5d5c2f-4feb-44dc-b0a6-8f9a89d781d6 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link 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

a641fb38-9002-4d00-8a08-bac23ba47f86 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: RE-BOX WEBSITE: RE-BOX.IE SECTOR : PACKAGING PUBLISHED: 04 FEBRUARY 2026 TAGS: PACKAGING, CARDBOARD REUSE, WASTE PREVENTION, RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS, REUSE SYSTEMS, SME SOLUTIONS, GREEN SUPPLY CHAINS, REUSED PACKAGING The Problem Packaging plays a significant role in how materials are used and discarded, contributing to both waste management pressures and the depletion of natural resources. Cardboard is often considered a more sustainable option than plastic packaging because it is made from renewable, plant-based materials ( Merchant Boxes, 2024 ). It can break down naturally under the right conditions and is widely collected and recycled through established systems ( Merchant Boxes, 2024 ), reducing the need for new raw materials. However, its overall environmental footprint remains substantial. Globally, around 405 million tonnes of paper and paperboard are produced each year ( WWF, n.d. ). This level of production requires large amounts of raw materials, water, and energy. Paper and paperboard account for an estimated 13–15% of total global wood consumption ( WWF, n.d. ). Water use is also significant, with most paper mills using 20,000 litres of water to make one tonne of paper ( Esmaeeli et al. ). In Ireland, more than 1.2 million tonnes of packaging waste were generated in 2023 ( EPA, 2025 ). Paper and cardboard made up the largest share, at 483 thousand tonnes ( EPA, 2025 ). The national recycling rate for cardboard is relatively high at 75% ( EPA, 2025 ). However, much of this recycling occurs abroad. Across all packaging types, which include cardboard as well as plastic, glass, etc., only 18% is recycled within Ireland, mainly glass and wood ( EPA, 2023 ). This means that cardboard is exported to be recycled, adding transport-related emissions and increasing its overall carbon footprint. There are also limits on how many times cardboard can be recycled; the fibres break down and no longer cling together after 5-7 cycles ( SL Recycling, 2023 ). Together, these factors underscore the limitations of recycling alone and emphasise the importance of upstream measures, such as reuse, in mitigating environmental impacts. The Circular Solution Re-box is a Dublin-based company that provides a circular approach to cardboard packaging by prioritising reuse over recycling. Established in 2010, the company collects used but reusable cardboard boxes from businesses in sectors such as food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. These include large manufacturers such as Diageo and Glenpatrick Spring. Once collected, the boxes are sorted, cleaned, and graded to check their condition and suitability for reuse. Larger pieces of cardboard are die-cut and reshaped to create boxes in standard sizes. The refurbished boxes are sold mainly to small and medium-sized enterprises, offering a lower-cost packaging option while reducing demand for new cardboard. By keeping cardboard in use for longer, Rebox avoids the energy and water consumption of the recycling processes. This approach reduces material loss and helps prevent waste at source, supporting circular economy principles focused on extending product lifetimes and improving resource efficiency. Climate Impact Re-box’s cardboard reuse model has several important environmental impacts. By keeping boxes in use for longer, it avoids many of the carbon-intensive steps required in recycling, such as transport emissions to export them, as well as pulping and manufacturing. These stages consume significant amounts of fuel, energy and water while producing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, each reused box avoids the emissions and materials needed to produce a new one, making it a more sustainable option. Preventing boxes from becoming waste after a single use, the model reduces overall waste generation and supports circular economy goals focused on resource efficiency, waste prevention, and longer product lifetimes. Replicability Duffy Box buys used cardboard boxes from manufacturing facilities for reuse, sells them at discounted prices from multiple warehouses, and provides industrial recycling services to minimise waste. Rebox Corp buys and sells once-used cardboard boxes, along with new boxes, totes, pallets, and slip sheets, to optimise supply chains for suppliers and retailers across North America. Usedcardboardboxes buys used totes and shipping boxes from large companies at above recycling prices, then inspects, sorts, and resells them cheaper than new boxes to reduce waste. Reuseabox diverts used cardboard boxes from recycling by buying surplus from manufacturers and reselling them to businesses for storage and shipping to promote a circular economy. IFCO ’s reusable packaging pooling system enables the sharing of reusable packaging containers (RPCs) in a closed loop, delivering clean ones to producers, collecting used ones from retailers, and washing them for reuse up to 120 times. These companies facilitate cardboard and packaging reuse, extending product life cycles and reducing environmental impact through circular models. ALL CASE STUDIES

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

42190427-b090-430f-90dc-e30d21bfa7df Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: RENEWABLE PARTS LTD. WEBSITE: RENEWABLE-PARTS.COM SECTOR: ENERGY DATE PUBLISHED: 16 JANUARY 2026 TAGS: WINDENERGY, WINDTURBINES, REMANUFACTURING, SUPPLYCHAIN, RENEWABLEENERGY, COMPONENTREUSE, DECOMMISSIONING, CARBONSAVINGS, MATERIALRECOVERY 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 Renewable Parts, a supply chain refurbishment and remanufacture specialist in the wind energy 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 The wind energy industry is experiencing rapid growth. In Ireland, wind power’s share of electricity supply has more than doubled in the last decade. It now provides 34% of Ireland’s electricity supply, second only to natural gas at 44% (SEAI, 2024) . Wind has very low emissions; about 13 grams of CO 2 per kilowatt-hour (NREL, 2001) , which mainly comes from the materials, manufacturing, and construction of the wind turbines. Once in operation, a wind turbine produces virtually zero emissions. In comparison, natural gas emits 486 grams per kilowatt-hour (NREL, 2001), making wind 97% cleaner. While this represents a significant leap forward, the industry still faces challenges. How can we make the materials, manufacturing, and construction of wind turbines more sustainable? How do we maintain them and source parts for them decades later? How can the existing turbines be improved upon? What happens to these massive structures when they reach the end of their life? Addressing these questions requires a circular approach. Many wind farms are approaching their end of life, meaning huge quantities of waste materials will need to be disposed of. In Scotland alone, 5,500 onshore turbines will be decommissioned by 2050, creating 1.4 million tonnes of waste material (Jacobs, 2021). If you were to load this onto lorries and line them bumper to bumper, the queue would extend from Cork to Belfast and back (based on a 16.5 metre long articulated truck ( RSA, 2025 ) carrying 27 tonnes ( Espace Global Freight, n.d. )). The industry urgently needs to address this waste. Each turbine has about 8,000 parts ( US DoE, n.d. ), such as gears and motors, many of which will fail or will need to be replaced regularly over its lifespan. These parts currently end up in a landfill or are melted down to be recycled. Producing the materials for replacement parts accounts for 83% of their emissions (Arias Losada, 2021) . The wind industry creates a lot of waste, but the materials used to replace parts are also a major source of emissions. The Circular Solution Renewable Parts is a Scottish company tackling waste in the wind industry. Renewable Parts began exploring the reuse of parts in the Wind Industry in 2012, but it took until 2018 for the idea to gain real traction. This illustrates both the inertia in shifting industry mindsets and the persistence required for circular business models to succeed. Their work points towards a growing recognition that achieving net-zero goals depends on the sustainability of supply chains; and remanufacturing can be central to achieving that. Renewable Parts’ approach is simple: take end-of-life components, remanufacture them to a standard equal to or better than new, and return them to turbine owners. Wind turbines operate for decades in extreme environments, and sooner or later, some of their components are going to break. The failed parts, along with parts from decommissioned turbines, are taken to Renewable Parts’ facility in Lochgilphead. Here they are stripped into components, and everything down to the bolts and washers is cleaned and inspected. The bearings, seals, and grease are always replaced, and individual worn-out components are refurbished or swapped out. Once reassembled, the parts perform like new and even have the same warranty. This reuse of material enables lower cost parts and diverts a huge amount of materials going to waste. Despite common misconceptions that remanufactured parts might be somehow inferior to new parts, industries such as aerospace have long relied on them, proving their safety and reliability. In fact, remanufacturing often outperforms original manufacturing, as data from past failures enables engineers to design out weaknesses and produce improved parts. Far more rigorous than repair, remanufacturing delivers high-integrity products that often surpass the originals, positioning it as a cornerstone of a high-quality and sustainable industrial future. Renewable Parts tracks exactly how components fail: by age, manufacturer, and even the specific conditions of the turbine e.g., wind alignment. By pinpointing the root causes, they can redesign vulnerable parts. The result? Remanufactured components that are stronger and often outlast the originals. In one example, an improved Siemens 1.3 yaw drive showed a 10% reduction in failures compared to the original design (Cross, 2024). The CIRCULÉIRE team visits Renewable Parts in Scotland to see how remanufacturing and circular supply chains are tackling waste in the wind energy sector Renewable Parts demonstrates how remanufacturing with a circular business model can improve quality while reducing time, cost, and carbon. And it's working; turnover is growing by 37% year on year (Zero Waste Scotland, 2024) , with remanufacturing already accounting for 38% of revenue. The company aims to raise this to two-thirds within five years, and in the process create more skilled jobs in rural Scotland. The Differences Between Repair, Refurbishment & Remanufacture Repair is the most basic intervention, focused on fixing a specific fault to get a product back into working order. This process typically involves minimal disassembly and only addresses the failed part without assessing the overall condition of the item. The goal is to restore function, not to improve the product's lifespan or appearance. Refurbishment goes a step further than repair. It involves restoring a used product to a functional, but not necessarily "like-new," condition. The focus is on fixing obvious faults and improving its cosmetic appearance. Parts are repaired or replaced as needed, but the product is not completely disassembled. A refurbished item will often have a limited warranty and may not meet original performance specifications. Remanufacture is the most rigorous and comprehensive process. It involves disassembling the product completely, inspecting all individual components, and replacing or restoring worn-out or obsolete parts with a combination of reused, repaired, and new parts. The goal is to return the product to a like-new or better-than-new condition in terms of performance, appearance, and quality. A remanufactured product typically comes with a new warranty that is equivalent to or better than the original product's warranty. Climate Impact The remanufactured parts offer significant carbon savings. Customers receive carbon certificates, allowing them to measure their reductions and compare the value directly against buying offsets. Between 2018 and 2024, Renewable Parts’ remanufacturing has saved 579 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent (Zero Waste Scotland, 2024) . That’s equivalent to the electricity of roughly 540 homes in Ireland for a year. In that same period, they have diverted 198 tonnes of material from landfill (Zero Waste Scotland, 2024) , or about seven articulated lorries full. The potential impact across the wind industry is vast. Research commissioned by the Coalition for Wind Industry Circularity, of which Renewables Parts is a member, found that if just ten out of the thousands of parts in a turbine used a circular supply chain, it could save 800,000 tonnes of parts from being scrapped in 10 European countries by 2035. This market would be worth 9.6 billion GBP (11.1 billion EUR) and create 20,000 jobs (BVG Associates Limited, 2023) . Circular economy solutions aren’t just good for the environment - they also make clear economic sense. This presents a huge untapped business opportunity; Stephen Fitzpatrick of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland said, “Renewable Parts Limited are the only company in Scotland, and arguably the UK, that are picking this up. But they can only do so much. We need many, many more of those companies or for Renewable Parts to grow significantly.” Replicability Vestas , one of the world's largest turbine manufacturers, operates a refurbishment facility of 120 people in Lübeck, Germany. Failed generators are refurbished, cutting their CO 2 emissions by more than half compared to producing a new one. This supports their goal of reducing supply chain emissions in their service business by 45% by 2030 (Arias Losada, 2021) . Siemens Gamesa operates 11 repair centres globally, which offer reduced costs and lead-times, with improved reliability and availability of parts (Siemens Gamesa, n.d.) . They have also launched the "RecyclableBlade," the world's first fully recyclable wind turbine blade, which uses a new resin type that allows for the separation of blade materials at the end of life (Siemens Gamesa, n.d.) . BladeBridge , an Irish company and CIRCULÉIRE member, repurposes old wind turbine blades into new products such as bridges and outdoor furniture. The blade is used in place of virgin materials such as steel and concrete, resulting in a 20-50% lower environmental impact. The products also require less maintenance, saving money over their lifespan. Their products have been used on the Achill Sound and Midleton to Youghal greenways, as well as communities across the country. Read our BladeBridge case study here. GE Renewable Energy partnered with Veolia North America (VNA) to process blades from its U.S.-based onshore turbines, shredding them for use as a raw material for cement manufacturing. These examples show how circular solutions are fostering an entire ecosystem of companies, each specialising in different aspects of wind turbines. ALL CASE STUDIES

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

2dc12c74-05af-4598-8972-bdd48e032415 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE NON-MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY : MONAGHAN MUSHROOMS WEBSITE: MONAGHAN.EU SECTOR : FOOD PUBLISHED : 21 OCTOBER 2025 TAGS: FOODWASTE, SUSTAINABLEAGRICULTURE, MUSHROOMS, PEATFREE, CIRCULARAGRI, INDUSTRIALSYMBIOSIS, AGRIFOOD, RESOURCEEFFICIENCY, SUSTAINABILITY, ZEROWASTE The Challenge The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that around one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted each year ( FAO, 2013 ). 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 ). In Ireland, approximately 835,000 tonnes of food waste were generated in 2023 ( EPA, 2023 ) Reducing food waste is critical, especially given that between 638 and 720 million people faced hunger in 2024. ( FAO, 2025) . Food waste not only represents wasted food but it also contributes significantly to resource depletion and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, generating 8–10% of GHGs globally ( UNEP 2024 ). If food waste were counted as a country, it would be the third-largest emitter in the world ( EDGAR 2024 ). A Circular Solution Monaghan Mushrooms, a family-owned Irish business with over 40 years’ experience, is one of the largest mushroom producers worldwide. The company operates farms, packhouses, substrate production sites, and offices across Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada. Monaghan addresses food waste and resource efficiency through a comprehensive circular economy approach. They produce their own mushroom substrate (the growth medium in which mushrooms grow) from materials like straw, horse manure, poultry manure, and gypsum. These are by-products from other agri-industries such as cereal crop production, poultry production and the horse stable industry ( Monaghan, 2024 ). After harvest, the spent substrate is reused as a soil conditioner, closing the loop sustainably. Notably, Monaghan is the first UK and Ireland producer to cultivate peat-free mushrooms, eliminating virgin peat from their substrate mix, switching instead to fully recycled natural materials. Peat extraction for mushroom substrate damages peatlands, which are crucial natural carbon sinks and reservoirs of biodiversity. This innovative change reduces carbon footprint and improves product quality with firmer, longer-lasting mushrooms ( Monaghan, 2024 ). The company employs state-of-the-art environmental control systems to optimize growing conditions while maximizing energy and water efficiency. Their Irish sites purchase green electricity, with the Tyholland farm installing solar panels to further reduce reliance on the national grid ( Monaghan, 2024 ). Rainwater capture systems help alleviate pressure on water resources, and biodiversity is promoted with initiatives like insect hotels and wildflower areas integrated into farm lands ( Monaghan, 2024 ). Packaging innovations include a transition to recycled PET plastics, sustainable cardboard trays, removal of colourants to aid recyclability, and phasing out PVC films in favour of polyethylene alternatives ( Monaghan, 2024 ). Climate Impact Monaghan has achieved a 17% reduction in energy use per tonne of mushroom produced, aiming for further cuts in the upcoming years ( BIOrescue Consortium, 2019) . Over the past year, the company exceeded its energy-reduction target by 13% across its Irish sites by installing LED lighting and innovating cooling technologies that use fresh air rather than mechanical cooling ( Monaghan Mushrooms, 2024 ). These improvements contributed to an 8% decrease in direct carbon emissions. Through solar PV adoption and green power purchasing, Monaghan decreases its demand on carbon-intensive energy grids further supporting decarbonisation ( Monaghan Mushrooms, 2024 ). Alongside environmental gains, Monaghan’s partnership with UK food redistribution charity FareShare has provided over 1.3 million meals to people in need since 2017, preventing food waste and associated emissions, while reinforcing social impact ( Monaghan, 2024 ). Replicability The global mushroom market was valued at USD 54.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass USD 115.8 billion by 2030 ( Kerry Group, 2023 ). Mushrooms require minimal space, energy, and water, making them well-suited to sustainable intensification in food production. Rich in vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants, mushrooms now serve growing consumer demand in health, wellness, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors ( Kerry Group, 2023 ). Monaghan’s circular model—combining sustainable substrate production, resource-efficient farming, innovative packaging, and community engagement—offers a replicable blueprint for agricultural industries seeking to transition to circularity. Its reliance on agro-industrial by-products and smart energy systems demonstrates industrial symbiosis in practice. Additionally, Monaghan’s innovation division, mBio , exemplifies circular innovation by leveraging mushroom mycelium to develop bio-based materials and nutraceuticals, expanding mushroom-derived products beyond food into construction, packaging, and health supplements ( mBio, 2024 ) This diversification highlights the potential for circular research and development to create new economic and environmental value streams within agri-food ecosystems. Other companies tackling food waste include: Meade Farm (Ireland) valorises surplus and “non-table grade" potatoes by converting them into premium food-grade starch, significantly reducing food waste and creating a new revenue stream. Well Spent Grain (Ireland) divert brewers spent grain from landfill and turn it into ‘Honest, Delicious, Sustainable Snacks.’ Toast Ale (UK) produces beer brewed with leftover bread from bakeries to reduce food waste while fostering social enterprises. Winnow Solutions (Global) offers smart kitchen technology to monitor and reduce food waste in commercial kitchens by providing real-time data analytics. Renewal Mill (USA) recovers nutrient-rich by-products from food manufacturing, like okara from tofu production, and repurposes them into flour and baking ingredients. Full Harvest (USA) operates a platform to sell surplus and imperfect fruits and vegetables to food and beverage companies, reducing farm-level food waste. These companies demonstrate diverse approaches—waste valorization, ingredient upcycling, technological innovation, and marketplace solutions—showing the breadth of circular economy practice in food. They offer useful analogies and potential partners for Irish food and agri-business stakeholders aiming to scale circular solutions. A Note on By-Products & End of Waste A by-product is a residue left over from the production of another product. In Ireland, Regulation 27 of the Waste Directive sets out the circumstances in which a material can be considered a by-product and not a waste. It is essential you notify the EPA to determine if your material satisfies the criteria of a by-product. The EPA will confirm if it can be catogorised as a by-product or if it must be categorised as a waste. If the substance is classified as a waste then it may need to achieve End-of-Waste status via Article 28 of the Waste Directive to be kept in use as a resource. ALL CASE STUDIES

53e9ca15-eec9-410e-8dc7-82acc72cf26b Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link 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

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

317ac204-3b93-4fd3-bf12-e450a03785a2 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: USEDFULLY WEBSIT E: TEXTILEREUSE.COM SECTOR: TEXTILE PUBLISHED: 24 APRIL 2024 TAGS: TEXTILE WASTE, CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL The Challenge Textiles are an essential aspect of daily life, encompassing a diverse range of products ranging from clothing, footwear, towels, bedlinen, and upholstery to healthcare items and industrial materials. The existing textile production, distribution, and use system is linear, with most textiles being used for a limited time before ending up as waste, which is often disposed of in landfills or incinerated. Currently, less than half of all used clothing is collected for reuse or recycling, while only 1% is transformed into new clothing ( Guillot, 2023 ). Furthermore, the fashion industry is estimated to contribute 10% of global carbon emissions, which is more than international flights and maritime shipping combined ( Guillot, 2023 ). Ireland generates approximately 170,000 tonnes of post-consumer textile waste per year ( EPA, 2021 ), corresponding to about 35 kg per capita, which is greater than the reported European Union (EU) average of 26 kg per person per year ( EPA, 2021 ). The Circular Opportunity In the process of road construction, natural cellulose fibres (made from wood) are commonly added to asphalt mixes to minimise binder drain-down ( Aljubory et al., 2021 ). Binder drain- down occurs when the asphalt separates from the aggregate particles and flows downward when exposed to high temperatures during the mixing and laying processes. This can affect the overall performance and durability of the road. In the textile industry, a significant amount of cellulose is wasted in the form of used cotton clothing, sheeting, and towels. Using this source of cellulose for road construction reduces the quantity of textile waste going to landfill, saves funding, lowers carbon emissions from cellulose importation, and decreases deforestation. About UsedFully UsedFULLY develops industrial scale textile waste-to-value solutions. The fully scalable technology converts large volumes of waste textiles into higher value products through proprietary processes and formulas that utilise continuous, solvent-free ambient-temperature methods. UsedFULLY’s flagship product is StrengthTex®, a fit-for-purpose cellulose replacement product for roads and the construction industry. UsedFULLY successfully utilised StrengthTex® in May 2022 on a central city road in Wellington, New Zealand. In another use for textile waste UsedFULLY, in partnership with Moral Fibre and Air New Zealand, created recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from polyester clothing. PET is a recyclable plastic commonly used to produce disposable beverage bottles. They transformed the Air New Zealand staff uniforms into recycled PET which can then be used as a raw material for products from furniture to keyboard keys thereby reducing the need to produce plastic from virgin materials. UsedFULLY also offers additional services including: A platform that generates data on the environmental and financial impacts of clothing at end-of-use for optimal resource management. Textiles and clothing are registered on the platform, and when garments are decommissioned, the UsedFULLY platform connects these resources to their solutions generating metrics on volumes reused and the associated environmental impacts. Fibre scanning equipment that uses spectroscopy to validate the composition of textiles, using a handheld scanner. This small device can test, validate, and provide reports on the composition of textiles and fibres. Replicability Each year, 99% of used clothing goes to waste representing a loss of more than USD $100 billion in resources (UNEP, 2023). Shifting to circular business models is critical for reducing the environmental and climate change impacts of textiles saving on raw materials, energy, water and land consumption, emissions, and waste ( EEA, 2022 ). Other Irish company’s making a business from used textiles include: Cirtex , a CIRCULEIRE member producing thermal and acoustic insulation, bedding and furniture padding, water retention growth pads, and flooring and carpet underlay from used mattresses. OCEANR , an Irish company that manufactures clothing out of plastics collected from the ocean. Titanic Denim , based in Belfast, creates luxury bespoke garments using reclaimed denim and textiles. ALL CASE STUDIES

9f538ea4-0f34-457d-a6ea-86430a254ba7 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: MESH BIOPLASTICS WEBSITE: MESHBIOPLASTICS.COM SECTOR : ADVANCED-MATERIALS / SMART MANUFACTURING PUBLISHED: 06TH MAY 2026 TAGS: BIOPLASTICS, BIOPOLYMERS, CIRCULARMATERIALS, AI-MANUFACTURING, SMARTMANUFACTURING, DIGITALTWIN, MEDTECH The Challenge Global plastic consumption is accelerating at a pace the planet cannot absorb. Over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually - half of it single use - equivalent in weight to 800 Burj Khalifa towers ( UN, 2025 ). The plastic lifecycle, from production to disposal, accounts for roughly 4% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ( UNFCCC, 2024 ). In the EU alone, plastic production generates 13.4 million tonnes of CO₂ yearly, making up 20% of the chemicals sector's total emissions ( EEA, 2024 ). The waste picture is equally stark. Every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks' worth of plastic is discarded into oceans, rivers, and lakes ( UNEP, n.d. ). Eighty-five percent of marine litter is plastic, driving toxic leaching and habitat degradation across ecosystems ( EEA, 2023 ). The consequences extend beyond the environment - chemical exposure poses human health risks, disrupted fisheries threaten food security, and coastal communities face growing economic fragility. These pressures are set to intensify. Global annual plastic production is projected to double by 2050 ( EEA, 2024 ), yet global recycling rates remain stuck at just 9%, with incineration accounting for a further 12% ( Houssini et al, 2025 ; EEA, 2024 ). The scale of the problem demands solutions that go beyond recycling alone - rethinking the materials themselves and the processes used to make them. The Circular Solution Mesh Bioplastics , a participant of the 2025 CIRCULÉIRE Venture Accelerator, was founded to address the challenge that the materials used in demanding healthcare and industrial applications needed to meet strict performance requirements while also supporting sustainability and circularity. The company was co-founded by Shane Hannan, who brings over 15 years of experience across plastics manufacturing and regulated life sciences; Tony Hannan, with 30 years in manufacturing and operational scale-up; Dr. Annie Ibrahim, a specialist in artificial intelligence, data science, and scalable SaaS systems and Reinier Kobus, with 25 years in financial strategy and capital structuring for global conglomerates. Between them, the founding team spans the full range of problems Mesh is built to solve - materials science, manufacturing process control, and the digital intelligence to connect them. That combination of expertise is reflected in the company's two connected offerings. On the materials side, Mesh develops bioplastics for healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing - sectors where performance cannot be compromised. Bioplastics are materials that are bio-based, biodegradable, or both - made wholly or partly from renewable biological sources such as corn, sugarcane, or cellulose, rather than from fossil fuels ( European Bioplastics, n.d. ). Mesh's biopolymer-based products are designed to match the performance of conventional petroleum-based plastics while significantly reducing environmental harm. On the manufacturing side, Mesh has developed VariControl - a proprietary AI platform that integrates directly with existing factory-floor equipment including injection moulding, extrusion, and thermoforming machines. Using proactive digital twin technology, VariControl builds a live model of each manufacturing process, continuously monitoring for drift and guiding corrective action before issues reach the production line - improving consistency, reducing waste, and supporting faster learning during manufacturing runs. The platform generates structured, audit-friendly process data designed to support validation-ready production in regulated environments such as healthcare. A short explainer on how the VariControl platform works VariControl is material-agnostic, operating equally with virgin polymers, recycled polymers, bioplastics, and recycled bioplastic blends. Its ability to learn and model material behaviour also makes it a powerful tool for bringing novel materials online - including emerging bio-based feedstocks derived from aquatic, agricultural, and waste sources - stabilising molecular drift as new materials are introduced and enabling manufacturers to increase recycled or bio-based content progressively, without sacrificing quality or throughput, and without requiring hardware modifications. Together, these two offerings address the plastic problem from both ends: replacing harmful materials at source and making the production of sustainable alternatives as efficient and commercially viable as possible. Climate Impact Under optimised conditions, bioplastics produced from lignocellulosic waste biomass (plant-based agricultural and forestry residues such as wheat straw, corn husks, and sawdust) can achieve carbon-negative lifecycle emissions, while food waste-derived bioplastics generate just 4.8 kg CO₂ eq. per kilogram produced - far below conventional fossil plastic benchmarks ( de Mello et al., 2025 ). VariControl delivers additional gains at the production stage. The company’s own pilot trials in plastics manufacturing have reported measurable sustainability improvements through real-time optimisation and waste minimisation: 20–25% average reduction in material waste through predictive fault detection and closed-loop process control. Up to 15% decrease in energy consumption production run due to dynamic cycle-time optimisation. Support for up to 50% recycled or bioplastic content without sacrificing quality or throughput, slashing virgin polymer reliance. 25–35% drop in process-related CO₂ emissions versus conventional virgin-material production. Beyond the environmental gains, VariControl reduces raw material costs and waste disposal fees - improving profit margins and making the transition to circular plastics production a commercially attractive proposition for manufacturers, not just a compliance exercise. Replicability The global medical plastics market - the primary target for Mesh's biopolymer-based devices - was valued at USD $61.35 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD $99.25 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.0% ( Grand View Research, 2025 ). At the same time, the broader bioplastics sector is scaling rapidly. According to the European Bioplastics Association, global biobased plastics production capacity is forecast to double from 2.31 million tonnes in 2025 to approximately 4.69 million tonnes by 2030, driven by regulatory pressure, rising demand across packaging, automotive, and healthcare, and the emergence of more advanced applications ( European Bioplastics, 2025 ). EU regulation is tightening the conditions under which conventional plastics can be produced and placed on the market. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are together mandating reductions in virgin material use and greater transparency around environmental performance - creating both pressure and opportunity for solutions like those Mesh Bioplastics offers. A number of organisations are developing comparable solutions in the bioplastics and circular plastics space: ReBioCycle is an EU-funded initiative scaling sorting and recycling infrastructure for bio-based plastics, improving recycled content and measuring environmental performance against fossil benchmarks. Sulapac (Finland) develops wood-based biocomposite materials for cosmetics packaging, achieving full biodegradability without compromising on design or performance. Corbion (Netherlands) produces lactic acid-based biopolymers used in medical applications including wound care, surgical sutures, and drug delivery systems, applying fermentation-based production processes and rigorous regulatory compliance to support sustainable healthcare materials. NatureWorks (USA) is one of the world's leading producers of Ingeo biopolymers, derived from renewable resources, with applications spanning packaging, medical devices, and industrial uses - demonstrating the commercial scalability of bio-based alternatives to conventional plastics. ALL CASE STUDIES

d64ee546-b73f-4f6b-9567-fb831907b904 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link CIRCULÉIRE MEMBER CASE STUDY COMPANY: VOTECHNIK WEBSITE: VOTECHNIK.COM SECTOR : WEEE PUBLISHED: 09 OCTOBER 2025 TAGS: EWASTE, WEEE, ROBOTICS, AUTOMATION. RESOURCERECOVERY, LCDRECYCLING, MANUFACTURINGTECH The Challenge The rapid growth of consumer electronics has turned the industry into a significant source of global waste, with waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) rising sharply. Current data indicates that only around 44% of electronics entering the EU market are collected for recycling ( EEA, 2025 ), leaving the remainder discarded in landfills or incinerators. In 2020, WEEE contributed an estimated 580 million tonnes of CO 2 emissions globally ( Singh and Ogunseitan, 2022 ), equivalent to the emissions from over 153 coal power plants annually ( US EPA, 2024 ). Despite containing valuable resources such as gold, silver, copper, and platinum - worth approximately USD $65 billion ( Murthy & Ramakrishna, 2022 ) - much of this material remains unrecovered due to inefficient dismantling processes and hazardous substance risks. The Circular Opportunity Irish company, Votechnik, and CIRCULÉIRE member, has developed innovative robotic technologies - most notably the ALR4000 - to transform LCD recycling and resource recovery. LCDs, found in laptops, TVs, and tablets, contain hazardous components such as mercury-containing lamps, which pose health and environmental risks if mishandled. The ALR4000 machine automates the safe depollution process by removing hazardous substances and sharp-edged components like fluorescent tubes and screens, significantly increasing throughput—processing between 60 and 80 devices per hour compared to 5 manually ( Votechnik, 2023 ). This plug-and-play system employs the KUKA KR QUANTEC industrial robot ( KUKA, 2024 ), which eliminates the need for direct human contact with toxic substances. Its modular, energy-efficient design reduces operational costs and minimises maintenance, facilitating compliance with stringent legislation such as the EU’s WEEE Directive and EN50625 standards. By depolluting and segregating hazardous materials, the ALR4000 allows for the extraction of valuable metals and recyclable plastics, supporting reuse, recovery, and remanufacturing. The ALR4000 in operation at KMK Metals Recycling Climate Impact The high efficiency of the ALR4000 system, combined with the use of robotic automation, makes LCD recycling not only safer but more cost-effective - generating significant revenues in recovered materials monthly ( Votechnik, 2023 ). It reduces dependence on virgin materials, lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with raw material extraction, processing, and product manufacturing. The robot’s recyclability- up to 90%- further supports circular practices and sustains the environmental benefits ( KUKA, 2024 ). Additionally, the machine prevents hazardous waste from entering landfills or being incinerated, thus mitigating pollution, protecting ecosystems, and contributing to climate targets. Replicability The global electronics market was valued at USD $1,275 billion in 2023, expanding at a CAGR of roughly 7.5%, underscoring the industry’s scale and potential for circular integration ( Lopez, Soltani & Ringmar, 2023 ). Transitioning to a circular model - such as robotic depollution and resource recovery - addresses critical environmental challenges while unlocking new revenue streams for WEEE recovery and remanufacturing. The core innovation demonstrated by Votechnik is the use of robotic automation to safely and economically recycle complex products, turning a hazardous waste stream into a valuable resource. This principle of ‘automated recycling for value recovery’ is not limited to electronics and holds immense potential across other key Irish and European manufacturing sectors. By decoupling dangerous, repetitive, or intricate tasks from manual labour, businesses can overcome economic barriers to circularity and create new revenue from materials previously deemed too costly or risky to recover. This approach is gaining momentum across Europe, highlighting a clear pathway for replication and investment. The challenges of product recycling are a shared European problem, and leaders in automation are proving the viability of this model in adjacent industries: Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries: The rapid growth of e-mobility presents a significant end-of-life challenge. Companies like the Italian automation specialist Comau are leading EU-funded projects (such as FLEX-BD and REINFORCE) to develop flexible, robotic systems that can safely disassemble different types of EV battery packs. By automating the high-risk stages, they enable the efficient recovery of critical materials like lithium and cobalt, creating the foundation for a secure European battery supply chain. Wind Turbines: As early-generation wind farms are decommissioned, the challenge is to sustainably manage the large, complex structures. UK-based BladeBUG has developed a six-legged, remote-operated robot that can walk on turbine blades to perform detailed inspection and maintenance. By providing a safe and cost-effective alternative to human rope access teams, this technology not only extends the operational life of turbines but also pioneers the kind of advanced robotics needed for their eventual safe and efficient decommissioning. Industrial Automation & Remanufacturing: The principle is also being advanced at a systemic level. The University of Birmingham is a key research hub for robotic disassembly, focusing on how automation can make remanufacturing more cost-effective for a wider range of industrial products. Their work on robotic disassembly cells and optimisation provides a blueprint for companies looking to recover and remanufacture valuable industrial components with minimal human intervention. For Ireland, Votechnik’s success serves as a powerful proof point. It demonstrates that targeted investment in automation can unlock high-value secondary materials, enhance worker safety, and position Irish innovators at the forefront of the European circular economy. The deployment of the ALR4000 in Ireland has transformed the country’s LCD waste stream. Before its installation, LCDs were being exported for disposal at a negative cost. Today, the technology processes around 80% of Ireland’s LCDs domestically , dramatically reducing the environmental footprint and keeping valuable materials in circulation ( WEEE Ireland, 2025 ). In addition, Votechnik is building on the expertise gained from the ALR4000 by applying it to the new SUP2000 plant , which focuses on the recovery of valuable and critical raw materials from renewable-energy products — including photovoltaics, the indium contained in glass panels, and battery black mass. Through this next-generation technology, Votechnik continues to innovate, add value, and expand its impact in the circular economy. ALL CASE STUDIES

All Posts Ireland Working Groups Funding Knowledge Sharing Networking European Union Policy Webinars International Standards Ireland Working Groups Funding Knowledge Sharing Networking European Union Policy Webinars International Standards Ireland Working Groups Funding Knowledge Sharing Networking European Union Policy Webinars International Standards Leanne Conroy Aug 13 3 min Welcoming the 5th Cohort of the CIRCULÉIRE Circular New Venture Accelerator Programme On Tuesday 16th of July 2024, the 5th year of the CIRCULÉIRE Circular New Venture Accelerator Programme launched with 5 participating... 6 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Jun 14 2 min A Packed house at Freefoam Building Products in Cork for the Q2 CIRCULÉIRE network meeting on 12th June 2024 What a week as our founding member Freefoam Building Products Ltd played host to the CIRCULÉIRE network for another jam packed agenda... 7 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy May 13 3 min Applications Open for 2024 CIRCULÉIRE Late-Stage Venture Programme - Deadline Extension to 26th June Now in it's 5th year of funding, CIRCULÉIRE’s Circular Venture Programme is the first of its’ kind in Ireland, dedicated to supporting... 4 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy May 8 2 min Circularity at the Irish Waste Management Conference 2024 More than 150 delegates attended the 2024 edition of the Irish Waste Management Conference, held on Thursday, 14th March, at the Aviva... 1 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Mar 8 7 min Highlights from The World Circular Economy Forum in Brussels April 15th & 16th. Earlier this month, the WCEF2024 brought more than 1,500 frontrunners of circularity to Brussels, Belgium. The event was followed online... 2 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Mar 3 2 min CIRCULÉIRE partners with Dublin City Council as part of Local Enterprise Week March 4th -8th 2024. Dublin 5th March - Guinness Enterprise Centre. CIRCULÉIRE this week partnered with Dublin City Council Economic Development office at the... 2 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Feb 29 2 min ESG and the Circularity Potential An effective # ESG strategy can show that an organisation is reducing risks, bringing the potential to achieve business growth whilst... 1 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Feb 12 1 min Circular Economy of Water Webinar Now Available On Tuesday 23rd of January 2024, the CIRCULÉIRE delivery team (led by Dr Geraldine Brennan and Ana Santos) hosted an insightful webinar... 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Feb 7 2 min CIRCULÉIRE kicks off a European Knowledge Sharing initiative with the Dutch Tech Zone - showcasing Circular Economy Innovation in Ireland. On Friday 2nd February, CIRCULÉIRE welcomed the programme board of the D UTCH TECH ZONE - a delegation of approximately 25 people to... 1 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Jan 10 3 min CIRTEX Ltd Welcomes Min. Ossian Smyth To Circular Upcycling Plant In Ireland, there are an estimated 500,000 used mattresses sent discarded every year. CIRTEX, (co-founded by Rick Earley and David... 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Nov 23, 2023 3 min Circular Economy of Water Good Practice Sectoral Guide Launches at the All Ireland Waste Water Expo CIRCULÉIRE is delighted to announce the launch of Towards a Circular Economy of Water in Ireland at the All Ireland Waste Water Expo in... 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Nov 21, 2023 2 min CIRCULÉIRE member CIRTEX features in RTÉ One series Heated Over 500,000 mattresses are being discarded each year in Ireland through Fly Tipping and illegal dumping. This is a staggering volume... 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Nov 14, 2023 3 min Fostering Circularity in Irelands Electronic Sector at the WEEE Ireland members conference in October 2023 At this year's WEEE Ireland Member Conference held on Wednesday 18th Oct 2023 at Castleknock Hotel, Dublin, Dr. Geraldine Brennan along... 1 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Nov 13, 2023 2 min ZeroNet launches 21st Century Smart Take-back Scheme Imagine being able to schedule your e waste collection for pick up at your front door ! Maybe now you can. At last month's CIRCULÉIRE... 5 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Nov 13, 2023 2 min Join Us For Our Public Thematic Working Group Series - Unlocking Circularity: Inspiring Innovation for Industry Throughout October and November the CIRCULÉIRE Thematic Working Group (TWG) delivery team within Irish Manufacturing Research delivered... 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Nov 10, 2023 2 min CIRCULÉIRE supports the 2050 Sustainability Accelerator at Republic of Work November 9th 2023 Last night, we had the pleasure of supporting an evening of energy, expertise and and enthusiasm at the Republic of Work Sustainability... 2 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Oct 23, 2023 2 min CIRCULÉIRE participate at first Public Service Transformation Conference 23rd October 2023 There was a packed room at this afternoon's session on Evidence for Sustainability panel as part of the Department of Public Expenditure... 1 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Aug 27, 2023 2 min Revolutionizing Circular Economy and Business Success with Industry 5.0 In the pursuit of a more sustainable and resilient future, Industry 5.0 is emerging as a crucial driver of circular economy principles... 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Aug 27, 2023 2 min Mastering the Circular Transition: A Five-Step Guide for Organizations In today's world, where environmental sustainability is a pressing concern, businesses are increasingly looking towards circular... 0 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked Leanne Conroy Aug 8, 2023 2 min CIRCULÉIRE Centre of Excellence for Circular Innovation Roadmap Series In November 2022, CIRCULÉIRE, in collaboration with its secretariat Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), was granted funding and entrusted... 1 0 comments 0 Post not marked as liked 1 2 3 4 5