Cross-Border Cooperation as a Driving Force for the Circular Economy

The transition to a circular economy is a shared international challenge. Taking place on 11 and 12 March 2026 at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf, the Circular Valley Convention brings together leading stakeholders to show how cross-border cooperation between policymakers, industry and science can enable this transformation. The focus is not on abstract goals, but on tangible results: joint projects, thematic project groups and practical solutions for key industries.

A central programme highlight focuses on the cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia and Flanders, which was expanded in 2025 to include the Netherlands. This trilateral alliance at the heart of Europe also represents Europe’s largest industrial region. High-level representatives from politics, public administration and research will discuss how political intent can be translated into concrete joint projects.

Speakers include State Secretary Viktor Haase from the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia; State Secretary Silke Krebs from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia; Brigitte Mouligneau, Transition Manager Circular Economy at Circular Flanders; Arnoud Passenier from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, who also serves as Chair of the Strategic Supervisory Board of the trilateral cooperation; Inge Neven (CEO of VITO); and Cornelius Laaser, Head of the Circular Economy Division at the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The discussion will focus on the progress achieved through this collaboration, including the work of joint project groups in the fields of chemicals, batteries and construction materials—key industries for Europe’s circular transformation.

The international perspective is further enriched by participation from Austria. Representatives from business, industry and applied research will share insights into circular solutions along the plastics and recycling value chain. Participants include Dr Michael Scherz (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber – Advantage Austria), Claudia Legawiec (EREMA Group), Michael Heinzelreiter (Business Upper Austria), Werner Kruschitz (KRM Recycling), Dr Christoph Burgstaller (Transfer Center for Plastics Technology) and Dr Christian Kirchnawy (OFI – Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology).

These contributions demonstrate how country participation beyond formal partnerships can strengthen European exchange and bring concrete industrial solutions into the discussion.

The panel "Energy, Digitalization & AI” will explore how digital technologies, energy infrastructures and artificial intelligence can support cross-border circular economy projects. Prof. Dr Christian Doetsch (Fraunhofer Energy Alliance) and Alexander Garbar (duisport) will discuss with further representatives from politics, industry and technology how data spaces, digital control systems and intelligent energy solutions enable new forms of collaboration along international value chains.

The Wednesday evening programme also takes a cross-border perspective. International trash artist HA Schult will provide insights into 60 years of European trash art and discuss them with Channing Roberts, who has accompanied the development of Silicon Valley for six decades. The dialogue links European cultural history with technological transformation processes and offers an unconventional perspective on sustainability, consumption and innovation.

"Circular economy does not stop at national borders. The Circular Valley Convention shows how international cooperation leads to concrete projects—and why this is a key lever for Europe’s competitiveness and resilience,” says Dr Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation.

Under the guiding theme "Uniting Industries for a Circular Tomorrow”, the Circular Valley Convention 2026 once again combines conference, exhibition and networking into an integrated format. Numerous exhibitors will present concrete technologies, products and business models across the entire product life cycle.

The Circular Valley Convention is a joint initiative of Circular Valley, Messe Düsseldorf and Fraunhofer Institutes. Co-hosts include BASF, Bayer, Evonik, Henkel and Vorwerk.

The Convention will take place on 11 and 12 March 2026 at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf. Further information is available at cvc-duesseldorf.com.

 

forum future economy will be present at the Circular Valley Convention as a media partner and with the support of young professionals from YOUNG forum. More on the cooperation of YOUNG forum and Circular Valley see here!