The program for the Circular Valley Convention 2026
06.02.2026Spanning two days, the Circular Valley Convention 2026 will bring together innovative figures from the worlds of politics, business, science and start-ups to present concrete solutions for a circular future. This event provides decision-makers and industry professionals with an opportunity to network, exchange knowledge, and find inspiration.
In 2026, there will once again be presentations and panel discussions on stage
© Jan Turek/Circular Valley
How can the circular economy be made into a viable industrial and location strategy that ensures resilience and independence? These questions will be addressed at the Circular Valley Convention, which will take place on 11 and 12 March 2026 at the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf. Featuring a host of international contributors from the worlds of politics, industry, science and start-ups, the convention will offer a two-day programme combining strategic debates, technological innovations and practical case studies. Over 100 exhibitors will also be showcasing practical solutions.
Main Stage: Circular economy as an industrial and location issue
Leading representatives from politics, business and research will take to the Main Stage to discuss the role of the circular economy in competitiveness, securing raw materials, and ensuring the resilience of global supply chains. Topics to be addressed in keynotes and panels include sustainable product design, circular construction, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, recycling strategies, and extending product life cycles.
Highlights of the programme include keynote speeches by federal and state ministers, as well as representatives from renowned research institutions and international industrial companies. Panels on topics such as cross-border cooperation, 'Uniting Industries' and 'Germany as an Industrial Power?' will bring together political framework conditions and industrial implementation perspectives from sectors including chemicals, consumer goods, mechanical engineering and logistics.
Thematic blocks along central R strategies
Another highlight is Demo Day for Batch 10 of the Circular Economy Accelerator. The international start-ups will share insights into the latest solutions from Circular Valley's tenth funding round, including digital traceability, new materials and AI-supported recycling processes.
The programme is structured into thematic blocks along the central R strategies, ranging from “Refuse, Rethink, Redesign, Reduce” to “Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose” and finally “Recycle and Recover”. Particular attention is paid to how the circular economy can be a strategic resource for industry and society in the face of stricter regulatory requirements and geopolitical uncertainties.
Innovation Stage: Start-ups, digitalisation and new business models
Running alongside the Main Stage, the Innovation Stage will focus on young international companies, applied research, and new cooperation models. As well as numerous pitches from start-ups, including those from the Circular Valley alumni network, there will be lectures and panels addressing topics such as circular design, the digital product passport, municipal perspectives on the circular economy, and digital green tech solutions. Sessions led by research institutions, networks and funding programmes will demonstrate how digitalisation is becoming a key enabler of circular value creation at company and system levels.
Masterclasses: In-depth knowledge and practical expertise – Networking during the convention and at Circular Night
The stage programme will be complemented by practical masterclasses. In smaller groups, experts will discuss specific applications such as chemical recycling, the use of AI in the plastics sector, the Carbon2Chem project, sustainable chemistry, and the economy for the common good. The masterclasses are aimed at specialists from industry, start-ups, academia and the public sector, offering opportunities for in-depth discussion and networking.
A special closing of the first day of the event is Circular Night, which offers a combination of networking, inspiration and international perspectives. With its multi-stage programme, the 2026 Circular Valley Convention establishes itself as a central platform for anyone looking to discuss and implement the circular economy as a driver of innovation, an industrial policy instrument, and a response to global resource issues.
The Circular Valley Convention is a joint initiative of Circular Valley, Messe Düsseldorf and Fraunhofer Institutes. Co-hosts are BASF, Bayer, Evonik, Henkel and Vorwerk. The Circular Valley Convention will take place on 11 and 12 March 2026 at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf.
