Circular chains in practice

How do you make circularity concrete as an SME? And how do you work with regional partners on sustainable solutions? During the well-attended and inspiring final event of the Circular Chain Power program on Feb. 10, visitors got a clear answer to that.

"We started working with four companies and their chain partners to set up circular chains, and with success. It not only produces innovative ideas and better chain cooperation, but also concrete results with a strong business case," said Margot Visschers of Route Circular.

Enthusiastic entrepreneurs share their results

Four entrepreneurs - Trespa, Upstairs Traprenovatie, Visser Bouwstoffen and Agrohub Limburg - together with their chain partners presented the results of their trajectories within Circular Chain Power. Not theory, but tangible circular products, business models and collaborations that show what is possible when a region really pulls together.

Eric Coorens of Upstairs is enthusiastic about the result: "We searched around the world for sustainable solutions for our products, but in the end we found the most promising ones just around the corner - with local entrepreneurs."

Also Tjeerd den Houter of Trespa agrees: "A program like this helps to think outside the box. Not in obstacles, but in possibilities."

From challenge to impact

From reusing wall panels and concrete to biobased materials and regional fiber crops, the variation in chains was wide, but the common thread was clear. Circularity only really succeeds when companies know how to find each other, dare to invest together and organize chains intelligently.

Visser Bouwstoffen succeeded in developing a new product in which residues are reused - and the quality of which is better than existing alternatives. Jill Visser explains: "The pilot with one of our gardeners showed that they don't want anything else anymore."

Sharing knowledge and making new connections

The closing event took place at Ons Boerenerf in Nederweert. The focus was on the practical experiences of companies and partners. In presentations and a panel discussion with Daniëlle Twardy (education), Geert Gabriëls (politics) and Dick van Aggel (business) it became clear how chain cooperation leads to scale, innovation and continuity.

According to the panelists, this is the time to further scale up together. Entrepreneur Dick van Aggel calls it "a matter of cooperation and perseverance". Politician Geert Gabriëls emphasized that the government should more actively encourage circular development with legislation that promotes rather than hinders sustainable business. Danielle Twardy outlined how to get students involved in thinking about solutions at a young age and how to increase your appeal to young people as a sustainable company.