What issues do you see as important for the circular economy, even beyond the plastics industry?

Manfred Renner: In order for the circular economy to gain momentum across the board, other product designs, keyword eco-design, materials and their combination, technologies and incentives are needed. It won't work without guidelines and regulation. However, it will be crucial for the players in the value chain to work together - across individual, directly connected stages. Only then will we succeed in bending linear value creation and ultimately transforming it into a value creation cycle. This applies to all sectors and interfaces.

The projects in the Fraunhofer CCPE are already utilising this multi-stakeholder approach for the plastics industry. By combining system expertise and technologies, solutions are created for small and large cycles.

Another major topic is answering the question of what the consumption of the future might look like. How can added value be created for consumers that will result in greater satisfaction and reduced consumption at the same time? The answers could be the consumption of a smaller number of higher quality products or the use of products instead of their purchase. The product-service system business model serves this purpose. This will lead to further new, innovative business models. We are also working intensively on this at the Fraunhofer CCPE.

Is this pursuit of the multi-stakeholder approach also the reason for your scientific support at the Circular Valley Convention, which will take place in Düsseldorf from 12-13 March 2024? What do you expect from this new format?

Manfred Renner: The Circular Valley Convention is an excellent opportunity to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders from the various sectors on the topic of the circular economy and to provide new impetus - not only in relation to Germany, but also internationally. Together with Messe Düsseldorf and the Circular Valley Foundation, we are currently putting together a diverse conference programme covering the entire spectrum of circular solutions, strategies and business models. We have already been able to attract the first speakers from business, science, politics and society.

The conference will be accompanied by a trade fair and an evening event. These offer the opportunity for in-depth discussions and thus to further intensify networking. Of course, Fraunhofer CCPE will be represented.

You have just mentioned the necessary regulations. You were involved in the 2nd dialogue forum on the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS) with Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke. How satisfied are you with the draft and what do you take away from it?

Manfred Renner: The open exchange on the circular economy with the various representatives under the leadership of Mrs Lemke was extremely informative and inspiring. I can only appreciate the participation process for this draft and hope that this dialogue will be continued via the various committees, trade unions, federal states, etc.

In order to achieve the key objectives of reducing the consumption of raw materials and avoiding waste, I believe that companies' business models must also change. I recommend looking at the R strategies of the circular economy as part of this process: Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle and Recover.

The importance of networking the individual stakeholders is confirmed once again by the two other key objectives of the NKWS: Closing material cycles and increasing independence from raw material imports. This requires sophisticated technologies and intelligent management methods. I am happy to contribute this to the NKWS.

Thank you very much, Prof Dr Manfred Renner, for the interview!