Circular Valley Convention 2026: Six key insights for the circular economy

23.03.2026

The Circular Valley Convention 2026 takes stock: Six key insights reveal how the circular economy is gaining strategic importance – from resilient supply chains and digital tracking to high-quality recycling as a competitive advantage.

For two days, representatives from politics, industry, science, and startups gathered at the Circular Valley Convention 2026 in Düsseldorf’s Areal Böhler to discuss solutions for a circular economy. Keynotes, panels, and practical examples yielded six central insights for the transformation toward a circular economy.

1. Circular economy becomes an industrial and location strategy

Several contributions made it clear that the circular economy has long since moved beyond environmental and recycling issues. In light of geopolitical tensions, uncertain supply chains, and rising raw material prices, it is increasingly gaining strategic importance for competitiveness, resource security, and economic resilience.

“Circular economy is rightly being seen more and more as a strategic economic issue. Raw materials have become factors of power. Alongside diversifying our raw material supply, the circular economy is a central element of our security. Circular economic practices make us less dependent on fossil raw materials,” said Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider.

“Those who manage to use products and facilities longer, employ resources more efficiently, and recycle intelligently not only benefit the environment but also contribute to greater security and economic strength. The circular economy is already a leading market employing over one million people. With the action program for implementing the national circular economy strategy, we want to provide strong support to this important market so that it continues to develop positively and establishes itself in the long term.”

Representatives of international industrial companies also emphasized that circular business models are increasingly becoming part of long-term corporate strategies.

2. Recycling becomes a strategic resource

In addition to design and use, the recovery of raw materials is also coming into sharper focus. Modern recycling technologies and industrial recovery processes can help keep materials in the economic cycle for the long term.

“The future belongs to the circular economy: It is the key to innovation, resilience, and new value creation. North Rhine-Westphalia has the best conditions to set decisive impulses for the circular economy with its businesses, innovative startups, and excellent research,” said NRW Environment Minister Oliver Krischer.

Several contributions emphasized that high-quality secondary raw materials will play a central role in the competitiveness of the European industry in the future.

3. Resilient supply chains require circular material flows

A central theme of the convention was how industry and politics can secure critical raw materials in the long term. Contributions from science, industry, and politics made it clear that closed material cycles and high-quality secondary raw materials are increasingly being understood as strategic resources.

“Circular economy creates resilience in a world of limited resources. The companies that succeed in closing loops will shape the next industrial age,” said Dr. Thomas Stoffmehl, CEO of Vorwerk.

Thus, the circular economy is also becoming an important tool for reducing economic dependencies and making supply chains more resilient.

4. Product design determines circularity

Many discussions showed that the crucial decisions for a circular economy are made during product development. Concepts such as circular design, modular construction, or “design for disassembly” are intended to ensure that materials can be reused or recycled at a high quality later. This shifts the focus of the circular economy to the beginning of the product life cycle.

The chemical industry can be an enabler for many companies. “We need solutions that are both ecologically meaningful and economically viable. Circularity is the key to reducing dependence on primary raw materials – and thus a central lever for the green transformation of ourselves and our customers,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Board Member and CTO of BASF.

5. Digitalization becomes a central enabler of the circular economy

Digital technologies are playing an increasingly important role in circular value creation. Discussions included digital product passports, data spaces, and AI-supported analysis of material and substance flows. Digital solutions create transparency along complex supply chains and enable new data-based business models.

6. International cooperation becomes key to scaling

The transformation to a circular economy increasingly requires cross-border collaboration. The convention highlighted, among other things, the trilateral cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia, Flanders, and the Netherlands.

In joint project groups, representatives from politics, industry, and research are working on concrete solutions for key industries such as the chemical industry, circular construction, and batteries.

The collaboration in Europe’s largest industrial region is intended to help develop innovations more quickly and establish new circular value chains.

Joint implementation is essential

The Circular Valley Convention made it clear that the transformation to a circular economy can only succeed through the interaction of politics, industry, science, and innovators.

“At the Circular Valley Convention, it once again became clear that the circular economy is the way to avoid resource shortages,” says Dr. Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation. Resource shortages cause fears, and these fears lead to conflicts. “By avoiding shortages, the circular economy can help prevent conflicts.” To achieve this, all stakeholders must work together across industries, sectors, and national borders. The willingness to do so was once again evident at the Circular Valley Convention 2026.

With its format of conference, expo, and networking, the Circular Valley Convention once again demonstrated the diversity of approaches to a circular economy – and how strongly international actors are working together on their implementation.

The date for the next Circular Valley Convention has already been set: May 4 – 5, 2027.