National Circular Economy HUB has officially kicked off
Danish companies etc. agrees that there must be consideration across sectors, disciplines and value chains, if circular economy has to succeed in Denmark.
On the 25th of October players gathered from across the country to launch the new national HUB for the circular economy. During the day, a number of contributions from both the Government Advisory Board, Innovation Network and a large number of Danish companies sat the debate. The aim of the day was to spread the knowledge of the new CØ HUB in general, and more specifically to ensure national coordination in relation to the government’s forthcoming circular economy initiative.
When economy and environment go hand in hand
Already in the initial input from the Chairman of the Government’s Advisory Board of the circular economy, Fremming Besenbacker, it became clear that the circular economy has great potentials in both the economy and the environment. Half of the cost of production in the Danish companies goes to commodities, so if we can reduce this cost with a circular economy, there will be huge economic gains to be made – while reducing resource consumption.
Design and prevention are important elements
On the more technical level, it was clear that the day across multiple sectors appears to be a special focus on chemical and product safety. Circular economy requires that we reuse and recycle products and materials, why it will be crucial that we already in the design phase ensures getting phased out the harmful substances.
More generally, education in the field of circular economy design (including long-term design, design for separation and material selection) a theme both network representatives, business leaders and organizations wish increased focus on.
Throughout the day, it was also clear that it is essential for the development that the players are operating with a set of framework conditions as required by the circular economy.
The broad cooperation
On the day, it was underlined how important it is to collaborate across value chains, sectors and stakeholder groups. More specifically, it became apparent that in the value chains it is crucial that the manufacturers provide requirements for both future and current suppliers and consumers must demand to producers. In this way circular economy becomes a “push-and-pull-interaction” between several actors.
On a broader and more systemic level, there was also consensus that there is a need for all players, if circular economy has to be succeeded. “The good solution” can’t be conceived of neither manufactures, politicians or others, and that is why cooperation and partnerships is essential.
Background
The new CØ HUB is a two-year research and innovation project in which a number of innovation networks have collaborated to jointly coordinate and generate cross-cutting development and knowledge in circular economics in Demark. In the new CØ HUB the following participates; InnoBYG, Danish Material Network, Food Network, Inbiom, Innovation Network for Environmental Technology and Lifestyle & Designcluster. The Danish Technological Institute, DHI and DAKOFA also participate as partners in the project’s steering committee.
