The CircularInvest project is furthering its mission to transform Europe’s sustainability landscape with the addition of three innovative circular projects. Joining early projects ReNew Lifecycle, Optifood, and Food Waste to Omega-3, the new initiatives - The Ocean Package, SURLEV, and rEcharge - are pushing the boundaries of waste reduction and resource efficiency in the packaging, textile, construction, and e-mobility sectors.

The Ocean Package targets the packaging industry’s waste problem by promoting a closed-loop, reusable system for packaging materials. Through refurbishing, remanufacturing, and repurposing packaging products, it aims to extend their lifecycle and reduce the environmental impact of single-use items. Collaborating with research institutions to validate its approach, The Ocean Package stands to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs in logistics and manufacturing. Adoption by businesses and consumers is central to its model, with the goal of establishing a robust circular network to amplify both economic and ecological benefits.

In the construction sphere, SURLEV introduces an innovative upward-building extension method. This technique involves lifting existing roofs to add extra space without demolition, reusing roof trusses and coverings to cut down on construction waste. The approach not only halves the construction time and significantly lowers costs but also avoids the environmental toll of producing new roof structures. SURLEV’s method addresses urban space limitations and housing needs sustainably, presenting a circular approach to construction that minimises emissions and conserves resources.

The rEcharge project is addressing the rising demand for e-mobility infrastructure by developing innovative, cost-effective charging stations for e-bikes and e-scooters. Designed to attach to street light poles, these stations feature a high-capacity battery pack made from recycled batteries and are managed by an IoT-enabled monitoring system. The rEcharge solution reduces power use after the first hour to encourage fair usage and battery longevity. By utilising recycled lithium-ion batteries, the project tackles e-waste while promoting green mobility. This approach has significant potential to transform urban transportation, reducing car dependency, cutting carbon emissions, and supporting a healthier urban environment.

CircularInvest beneficiaries, both new and established, recently showcased their solutions at the Impact Festival, Europe’s largest B2B event for sustainable innovation, held in Frankfurt on 30 and 31 October 2024. This high-profile event offered a platform to engage with investors and industry leaders, paving the way for wider adoption of circular solutions. Dora Fazekas, Head of the Territorial Cooperation Unit at Inova+ and coordinator of CircularInvest, noted, "Our participation in the Impact Festival in Frankfurt on 30-31 October, 2024 was a very positive surprise. We took five circular economy start-ups with us to the event, all beneficiaries of CircularInvest. They had their individual booths, pitched to investors, and had the chance to establish extremely valuable connections, not only with the private investor community but also with potential partners for their businesses. As these newly forged connections begin to take shape, CircularInvest remains committed to supporting its beneficiaries in converting this initial interest into long-term partnerships and tangible investments.