Innov8ive! - A deep dive into innovating for a circular economy

In this episode, we continue to showcase innovators for the circular economy. We feature the work of Lucro, a leading innovator in the flexible plastics recycling space in India. We speak to Ujwal Desai - Managing Director at Lucro, to understand more about their business model that is built on closed-loop recycling, the recent funding from Circulate Capital and the upcoming expansion plans. We also delve into the changing outlook on plastic waste over the last decade, including a crucial shift in the supply-demand equation for recycled plastics, and how that has reflected on Lucro’s business. We finally delve into the challenges that a business such as Lucro’s faces, including competing with “me-too” products, and their solution for assuring authenticity of a recycled product. Looking for deeper engagement on Circular Innovation? Join the conversation at the CE Innovation Network at: LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823 [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823] Follow Infinitive  on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory [https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory] Follow EU-REI on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei]

In this episode, we speak to Karl Vrancken, Research Manager – Sustainable Materials at VITO, to examine why collaboration is critical for building a circular economy and the changing roles of different stakeholders in this systemic transition. We also take a look at collaborative initiatives such as European Circular Economy Research Association (ECERA) and Circular Flanders, and how we can build a collaborative mindset that will underpin the shift to a Circular Economy. Looking for deeper engagement on Circular Innovation? Join the conversation at the CE Innovation Network at: LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823 [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823] Follow Infinitive  on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory [https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory] Follow EU-REI on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei]

This episode examines the role that enabling ecosystems can play in spurring the adoption and scaling up of circular innovation. We explore the work of SITRA – the Finnish Innovation Fund, their unique structure and role in connecting players in the Circular Economy space, built on the foundations of the first ever National Roadmap for a Circular Economy. We speak to Tim Forslund, Circular Economy Specialist – SITRA, about several initiatives that support innovators to advance the circular economy transition, including a focus on public procurement. We also discuss how a culture of collaboration can be created amongst all stakeholders. Looking for deeper engagement on Circular Innovation? Join the conversation at the CE Innovation Network at: LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823 [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823] Follow Infinitive  on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory [https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory] Follow EU-REI on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei]

This episode examines the critical lever of financing for circular innovation. We feature the work of Circulate Capital, an investment management firm dedicated to financing innovation, companies and infrastructure that prevent the flow of plastic waste into the world’s oceans, while advancing the circular economy. We speak to Rob Kaplan, Founder and CEO - Circulate Capital, about their recent investments of about $40 million in 6 Indian companies in the plastic waste management and recycling sector, and their differentiated fund structure that is able to provide catalytic capital and extensive support to scale innovative solutions in this space. We also delve into opportunities and the outlook for this sector in India, including the depth of the pipeline that is investable, finally taking a look at why investing in circular models is different from linear models and the challenges in moving large sums of capital towards this sector at its current stage of maturity. Looking for deeper engagement on Circular Innovation? Join the conversation at the CE Innovation Network at: LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823 [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823] Follow Infinitive  on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory [https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory] Follow EU-REI on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei]

This episode examines the role that enabling ecosystems can play in spurring the adoption and scaling up of circular innovation. We speak to Priyanka Khanna, International Expansion Manager – Fashion for Good, about the critical role that the organization plays in bringing together promising innovators, and the brands and manufacturers who could adopt these innovations. We delve into how Fashion for Good’s model works, the kinds of support they provide to innovators, and also take a look at some of the exciting Indian innovators in the South Asia innovation program. We also explore some initiatives being piloted with industry players like Birla Cellulose and Arvind Mills, and examine challenges in the adoption curve of innovation in circular fashion. Fashion For Good's report on 'The State of Circular Innovations in the Indian Fashion and Textile Industries' can be found here [https://reports.fashionforgood.com/report/state-of-the-circular-innovations-in-the-indian-fashion-and-textile-industry/]. Looking for deeper engagement on Circular Innovation? Join the conversation at the CE Innovation Network at: LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823 [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12471823] Follow Infinitive  on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory [https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitive-ce-advisory] Follow EU-REI on Social Media: LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eu-rei]