Plastics and chemical recycling

In Germany and the Netherlands about 50% of plastic packaging waste is mechanically recycled at present. Very unique in the chemical sector is the Trilateral Strategy initiated by and between The Netherlands, Flanders (BE) and Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) with the goal to transform towards a sustainable chemical industry.

Due to proximity of productions sides, the cooperation not only helps to optimize the use of raw materials by transforming waste and by-products into new or secondary raw materials but is also a supplier to virtually every other industry and a central player in enabling the CE throughout all value chain processes in its downstream industries, as well as opening new market opportunities. Collaboration and adoption of chemical recycling technologies could therefore be a key element to reach the target of developing a sustainable chemical industry whilst improving its competitiveness within the global market. 

Textiles

The transition towards a circular textile industry in Germany is still in its infancy due to a wide range of socio-economic, environmental and legal barriers which create path dependencies and inhibit the adoption of circular solutions on a broader scale. Still, Germany is among frontrunners of post-consumer textile collection in Europe, mainly due to well-established collection networks of charitable organizations. Although, most volumes are reused or recycled, a considerable share is still incinerated. While annual collection rates have increased, the consumption rank is among the highest across all European countries. Germany makes profits through garment export but, due to the economic rationale of textile exports, fails to take advantage of post-consumer textiles as unused resources. 

In the presence of globalized and highly complex textile supply chains, there is a need for better international cooperation to implement joint processes to foster a shift towards a circular textile sector. Among others, sharing information and best practices between Dutch and German knowledge institutes, businesses and public actors is perceived as particularly important in order to advance circular practices in the textile industry. 

Many innovative companies active in the textile sector in Germany. A cooperation with Dutch circular textile companies that developed new business models for all stages of the value chain (design and production, distribution retail and use) might open new opportunities for both countries. An example of a successful German-Dutch cooperation in circular textile on a regional level between NRW, Limburg and Overijssel is an INTERREG supported project that develops industrial standard for yarns made of old textiles.

CE in the automotive industry

The German automotive industry is one of the largest in the world, it secures jobs, drives national export and invests in research and development. With growing concerns about climate change and environmental degradation, sustainability has become a strategic priority for most of the German automotive companies. Among the main challenges the industry is facing today is the fuel economy, GHG emissions reduction, electrification, autonomous driving and car sharing.

Increased energy efficiency, recycling and a reduction in emissions benefit both companies and consumers. Incorporating circular economy practices across the automotive value chain helps to effectively address these challenges. It has the potential to offer big economic benefits and make electric vehicles more sustainable, improve design and introduce new business models that support longer lifetimes of products and services. 

The Dutch market offers attractive opportunities for many types of companies active in e-mobility: electric vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure companies, battery makers, and auxiliary power unit producers. Cooperation with the Dutch automotive industry, which is characterized by a dynamic mix of innovative approach and component suppliers could support German automotive industry in a faster transition towards a circular economy. 

Circular windfarms

The planned transition towards a low-carbon, nuclear-free economy ‘Energiewende’ is high on the agenda in Germany. Renewable energy should make up 60% of the gross final consumption of energy and 80% of the gross electricity consumption by 2050. Another objective is a significant increase in energy efficiency. To achieve these targets Germany relies on international cooperation, particularly with the Netherlands. In October 2019, the countries signed a joint declaration, intending to intensify close cooperation as the energy transition progresses. Both Germany and the Netherlands see a great potential in the development of offshore wind projects and infrastructure in the North Sea region to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy.

The massive expansion of offshore wind power in recent years will create an equally large demand for decommissioning capacity in the near future. Developing new circular or modular offshore windfarms designed for reuse or remanufacturing and recycling solutions for composites might not only increase sustainability of the sector but also open up a huge export market for the Netherlands where such solutions are already being designed with support of knowledge institutes and Versnellingshuis Nederland Circulair.