Circularity.fm

Chemicals – key challenge and core solution provider

Circular Valley 95% of all products contain chemicals, which makes chemistry central to every industrial value chain. But what would it take to make this foundation of European production more circular? In this episode, Frank F. Meyer from Henkel Consumer Brands, Inge Neven from VITO, Prof. Regina Palkovits from RWTH Aachen and the CATALAIX program, Prof. Manfred Renner from Fraunhofer UMSICHT and Fraunhofer CCPE, and William Stevens from Tech Tour join moderator Carsten Gerhardt to discuss the future of circular chemistry.  Together they explore three core questions: What is on their horizon in terms of chemical innovation? What does it take to scale these technologies across industrial settings? And what does it take to bring something successful in the lab to the market? This episode concludes our series in collaboration with Circular Valley, which aims to advance Europe’s transition toward a circular economy across the cross border region of North Rhine Westphalia, Flanders and the Netherlands. The panel was recorded at the Circular Valley Forum 2025. People Frank F. Meyer, SVP/Head of R&D Henkel Consumer Brands, https://www.linkedin.com/in/frmeyer1/recent-activity/all/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/frmeyer1/recent-activity/all/] Inge Neven, CEO VITO, https://www.linkedin.com/in/inge-neven-96975a1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/inge-neven-96975a1/] Prof. Regina Palkovits, RWTH Aachen and Head of Catalaix Program – Catalysis for a Circular Economy, https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-palkovits-574a33a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-palkovits-574a33a/] Prof. Dr. Manfred Renner, CEO Fraunhofer UMSICHT and Fraunhofer CCPE, https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-manfred-renner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-manfred-renner/] William Stevens, CEO Tech Tour, https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-stevens-681b10/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-stevens-681b10/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Circularity FM and Circular Valley Forum 01:06 Challenges in the Chemical Industry 06:02 Innovations in Chemical Recycling 11:05 The Role of Research Institutions 15:54 Innovation and Market Dynamics 20:50 Collaboration for Circular Economy 27:12 Consumer Engagement and Sustainable Products 32:52 Future Directions and Closing Remarks About Circular Valley is a European hub for circular economy innovation, bringing together international startups, industry, science and policymakers to accelerate the shift toward circular value creation. It is based in Wuppertal, one of Europe’s most dynamic economic regions, and supports cross-sector collaboration to close material loops, advance enabling policy and increase public understanding of circular solutions. Further Links https://circular-valley.org/ [https://circular-valley.org/]

Metals – A highly circular industry

Circular Valley How can the metals sector advance circularity while navigating rising demand, resource scarcity and geopolitical pressure? In this panel from the Circular Valley Forum 2025, industry and policy leaders discuss the opportunities and constraints of creating a more circular metals system. The speakers include Inge Hofkens, COO at Aurubis, Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold, CEO of Salzgitter Flachstahl, Bruno Pelli from Vale in Brazil, Dr. Ing. Paul Mählitz from the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA) and Dr. Matthias Koehler, Deputy Director General for Raw Material Policy, Circular Economy and Resource Protection at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The panel explores recycling limits, alloying element recovery, the role of scrap in decarbonisation, and how global market dynamics shape European resource strategies. This episode is part of our series in collaboration with Circular Valley and features sessions recorded at the Circular Valley Forum 2025. People Inge Hofkens, COO Aurubis. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingehofkens/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingehofkens/] Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold, CEO Salzgitter Flachstah. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-heike-denecke-arnold/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-heike-denecke-arnold/] Bruno Pelli, VALE, Brazil. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunopelli/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunopelli/] Dr. Ing. Paul Mählitz, DERA. https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmhltz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmhltz/] Dr. Matthias Koehler, Deputy Director General - Raw Material Policy, Circular Economy, Resource Protection, BMWK. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-koehler-1a36b0122/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-koehler-1a36b0122/] Prof. Jan Grossarth, University Biberach, Editor. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-grossarth-b2a4031b3/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-grossarth-b2a4031b3/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Panel Welcome 04:42 Steel's Green Transformation 07:58 Copper Recycling: Rates, Barriers and Energy 13:37 Alloying Elements and Critical Raw Materials 19:26 Germany's Urban Mine Potential 21:43 Raw Materials as Strategic Security 28:19 Vale's Circular Business from Brazil 32:17 Closing Reflections About Circular Valley is a European hub for circular economy innovation, bringing together international startups, industry, science and policymakers to accelerate the shift toward circular value creation. It is based in Wuppertal, one of Europe’s most dynamic economic regions, and supports cross-sector collaboration to close material loops, advance enabling policy and increase public understanding of circular solutions. Further Links https://circular-valley.org/ [https://circular-valley.org/]

The Heart of Europe Collaboration

Circular Valley How can cross-border cooperation accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Europe’s industrial heartland? This panel from the Circular Valley Forum 2025 brings together three senior public-sector leaders: Susanne Hagenkort-Rieger, Director General of the Economic Policy Department at the Ministry of Economy in North Rhine-Westphalia; Brigitte Mouligneau, Transition Manager at OVAM and Circular Flanders; and Arnoud Passenier, Circular Economy Advisor to the Government of the Netherlands. They discuss how their regions structure circular economy policy, where joint priorities lie, and why trilateral collaboration is essential for scaling circular value chains across chemicals, construction and battery materials. The conversation highlights the need for shared infrastructures, coordinated industry support and policy alignment to make circular business models viable at European scale. This episode is part of our series in collaboration with Circular Valley. The series features recorded sessions from the Circular Valley Forum 2025. People Susanne Hagenkort-Rieger (Director General of the Economic Policy Department, Ministry of Economy, NRW https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-hagenkort-rieger/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-hagenkort-rieger/] Brigitte Mouligneau (Transition Manager, OVAM, Flanders) https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitte-mouligneau-67098b5/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigitte-mouligneau-67098b5/] Arnoud Passenier (Circular Economy Advisor to the Government, the Netherlands) at https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnoud-passenier-9366414/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnoud-passenier-9366414/] About Circular Valley is a European hub for circular economy innovation, bringing together international startups, industry, science and policymakers to accelerate the shift toward circular value creation. It is based in Wuppertal, one of Europe’s most dynamic economic regions, and supports cross-sector collaboration to close material loops, advance enabling policy and increase public understanding of circular solutions. Further Links https://circular-valley.org/ [https://circular-valley.org/]

Close the Gap - Refurbishing Electronics to Close the Digital Divide

Circular Entrepreneurship in Kenya How to create a successful circular hub for electronics that holistically integrates social and commercial aspects into the model? In this episode, we speak with Timothy Washira, Operations Manager at Close the Gap's Circular Economy Hub in Mombasa, Kenya. Close the Gap first started in Belgium in 2003 with the mission to provide high-quality pre-owned computers and bridge the digital divide. The organization started its first operations in Kenya in 2019 in Nairobi, before moving the Circular Economy Hub to a bigger, state-of-the-art facility in Mombasa in 2020. The Circular Economy Hub is the logistics backbone for Close the Gap in Kenya. Its focus is on IT Asset Disposition which involves collecting used IT devices from corporate partners in Kenya, conducting data wipe processes; refurbishing or recycling the devices, and deploying the pre-owned high quality devices to impact projects. Timothy talks about how Close the Gap is driving socio-economic transformation through for example, its incubator space and the BOOST program. Listen to hear how Close the Gap integrates commercial success with social impact, creating jobs, promoting the circular economy, and empowering over 6 million people with access to technology and skills. People Timothy Wachira, Operations Manager at Close the Gap https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-wachira-80294214/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-wachira-80294214/] Ian Kiptoo, Operations Manager at Close the Gap https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-kiptoo-966868204/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-kiptoo-966868204/] Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Circular Economy and Close the Gap 01:34 The Mission of Close the Gap 06:02 E-Waste Management and Digital Divide 08:56 Boost Program and Socio-Economic Impact 12:00 IT Asset Disposition Process 18:10 Refurbishment and Grading Process 23:59 Revenue Models and Partnerships 29:50 Future Plans and Expansion 39:05 Conclusion and Call to Action About Close the Gap started in Belgium in 2003 and started its first operations in Kenya in 2019. Close the Gap operates the Circular Economy Hub in Mombasa, which serves as the organisation's logistical backbone and a blueprint for green technology in Africa. This cutting-edge facility specialises in IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), collecting used corporate IT equipment, conducting data wiping, and refurbishing devices that is then deployed to bridge the digital divide in local impact projects, such as schools and youth correctional facilities. Beyond hardware, Close the Gap Kenya drives socio-economic transformation through its BOOST+ program, which supports young entrepreneurs and women along the Kenyan coastline with training in digital skills, financial literacy, and business management, and by deploying the Impact Accelerator Fund (IAF) to provide strategic capital and mentorship to innovative startups in sectors like the circular economy and green tech, directly contributing to job creation and boosting the local economy. Further Links https://www.close-the-gap.org/ [https://www.close-the-gap.org/] One-page Summary Sign-up for the Circularity.fm Newsletter and get a summary with the take-aways of this episode. Register here: https://circularity.fm/close-the-gap-refurbishing-electronics-to-close-the-digital-divide/ [https://circularity.fm/close-the-gap-refurbishing-electronics-to-close-the-digital-divide/]

PadMad - Upcycling Textiles for Menstrual Health & Girl's Education

Circular Entrepreneurship in Kenya How can a reusable pad company address education, employment, and environmental waste simultaneously? In this episode, Madhvi Dalal, founder of PadMad, talks about why and how she built a social enterprise to tackle period poverty in Kenya, a country where 65% of women and girls cannot afford menstrual products. This crisis leads to girls missing school and exams, forces them to improvise pads with unhygienic materials, and leaves them exposed to be taken advantage of. Madhvi walks us through PadMad's three-pillar focus: education, running workshops in schools and workplaces to break stigma and provide information. Empowerment, employing marginalised women to manufacture the pads. And environment, creating reusable pads from textile waste to reduce plastic pollution. You'll also hear how this model has scaled to impact over 150,000 people and prevented millions of disposable pads from polluting Kenya's environment. People Madhvi Dalal, at PadMad https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhvi-dalal-b61a1a180/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhvi-dalal-b61a1a180/] Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:04 Period Poverty in Kenya 05:48 Start of PadMad 08:40 The Evolution of PadMAT's Approach 13:47 Impact and Reach of PadMad 17:22 Funding and Financial Model of PadMad 21:37 Partnerships and Future Aspirations About PadMad is a Kenya-based social enterprise addressing period poverty through biodegradable, reusable menstrual pads, coupled with menstrual health education and training/employment for marginalised women. The pads are designed for multi-year use to reduce waste and cost barriers, with impact tracking emphasising disposables diverted and school attendance benefits. PadMad’s approach combines product provision with train-the-trainer outreach and partnerships. Independent write-ups list PadMad among Kenya’s eco-friendly period solutions. Further Links https://padmadkenya.com/ [https://padmadkenya.com/] One-page Summary Sign-up for the Circularity.fm Newsletter and get a summary with the take-aways of this episode. Register here: https://circularity.fm/padmad-upcycling-textiles-for-menstrual-health-girls-education/ [https://circularity.fm/padmad-upcycling-textiles-for-menstrual-health-girls-education/]