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  • An action-oriented set of methods, mindsets and thought starters to help innovators design circular solutions that are fit for the future.

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  • The New Plastics Economy is an ambitious, three-year initiative to build momentum towards a plastics system that works.

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Business

Applying circular economy principles could unlock up to EUR 1.8 trillion of value for Europe’s economy. Business plays a central role in creating the systemic change required to reap the financial benefits of this transition.

Both large corporates and disruptive startups inform our research, build industry-specific expertise, and move from concept to practice, driving change across value chains and industries. Collaboration with suppliers, customers and infrastructure is the only way to build a circular economy with benefits throughout society.

Altogether our recycling and remanufacturing affiliates generate a revenue of half a billion euros, half of them being purely circular.

Jean-Philippe Hermine VP Environmental Strategy - Renault

Business activities

Make fashion circular

Make fashion circular

For fashion to thrive in the future, we must join forces and design a circular e...

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New Plastics Economy

New Plastics Economy

A circular economy for plastic in which it never becomes waste...

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Food initiative

Food initiative

Igniting a food system transformation...

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Strategic Partners

Danone

Danone

To accelerate the circular economy agenda for Danone and its value chain partners

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DS Smith

DS Smith

To accelerate the company’s circular economy drive and support innovation across the business, including recycling and carbon-efficiency in e-commerce.

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Google

Google

To embed circular economic principles into the fabric of Google’s infrastructure, operations, and culture

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BlackRock

BlackRock

Bringing together the power of investment and the value creation opportunity of a circular economy

H&M Group

H&M Group

To become 100% circular

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IKEA

IKEA

Focusing on putting the home furnishing business on the global circular map and accelerating the transition to a circular economy within IKEA and beyond

Intesa Sanpaolo

Intesa Sanpaolo

Re-thinking of financial instruments to support the re-design of the industrial ecosystem

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Philips

Philips

Pioneer circular economy innovation in the areas of healthcare, consumer lifestyle and lighting

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SC Johnson

SC Johnson

Create safe products that improve lives and drive global circular economic initiatives to address the root causes of systemic problems such as plastic pollution

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Solvay

Solvay

Act as a transformation agent to optimise and transform the cycle of resources to answer the planetary issue of resource scarcity

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Renault

Renault

Drive circular innovation within products and services to reinvent the future of mobility

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Unilever

Unilever

Explore the potential of unlocking the circular economy within the fast-moving consumer goods sector

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How we work with business

The Foundation works across a vast spectrum of national and international business. We work with large corporates as well as disruptive startups to further our understanding of the circular economy challenges facing the corporate world.

With our Strategic Partners we take a strategic level approach, assisting their businesses across key sectors of the economy to demonstrate circular innovation at scale. These Strategic Partners are pathfinders within their respective industries, exploring the potential of the circular economy as a source of value creation.

How we work with business

Corporate journeys

However all corporate journeys are unique when starting the transition to circularity. We recognise that true change from a linear to a circular model is not an easy task, especially when traditional linear metrics of performance remain. This can also change within the same company across markets and geographies.

With this in mind our network provides a unique space for business, together with policymakers and academia, to learn faster what a circular economy is, share more opportunities and collaborate more effectively. A pre-competitive environment where corporates can find their personal solutions and innovators get the exposure to scale.

Corporate journeys

Business & Systemic Initiatives

Our Systemic Initiatives provide business with the opportunity to focus on a specific material flow through a system. Whether through the New Plastics Economy, Make Fashion Circular or Cities & Circular Economy for Food, we work with organisations to achieve unstoppable momentum to change the linear system. Through committing to the achievement of bold targets and informing a new direction of travel, business has a seat at the table in unlocking circularity.

Business & Systemic Initiatives

Related business events

The Circular Economy Show

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation hosts regular interactive broadcasts and webinars throughout the year showcasing innovation, discussing big ideas, and sharing disruptive stories as part of our goal to inspire action and innovation towards the circular economy.

View now

The Circular Economy Show

Must-reads for business

Download some interesting reports and publications that relate to business.

Towards a Circular Economy:

Business rationale for an accelerated transition

Report

Download

A new textiles economy:

Redesigning fashion's future

Report

Download

The New Plastics Economy:

Catalysing action

Report

Download

Achieving ‘Growth Within’

A €320-Billion circular economy investment opportunity

Report

Download

Key Business Content

Toolkit

Explore the Circular Design Guide

The guide introduces users to circular economy concepts and circular design thinking techniques

Case Studies

Business case studies

Case studies showing the implementation of a circular economy model and circular economy thinking

News

China-EU agreement paves way for global adoption of circular economy

Circulate

Three stories from the frontline of circular design

Incumbent business can, should and are taking a leading role in the shift to a circular economy...

Circulate

4.5 misconceptions about the circular economy

For some, a circular economy is a renaming of some very familiar activities, like recycling, going to zero waste or...

News

AB InBev joins the Foundation's network

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