Up2Circ

♻️👕 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺?
A recent report by BCG, "𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮-𝘓𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦-𝘜𝘱", highlights a key message: innovation alone is not enough. Achieving meaningful impact requires coordinated action across the entire textile value chain.

The European Commission report identifies several critical priorities:
🔹 Strengthening collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure
🔹 Improving the cost competitiveness of recycled fibres
🔹 Embedding circularity principles at the design stage
🔹 Leveraging digital tools such as traceability systems and product passports 📱
🔹 Engaging consumers to support reuse, repair and recycling practices ♻️

France is presented as a leading example, thanks to its advanced regulatory framework and stakeholder collaboration. Yet the report makes it clear that scaling textile circularity remains a challenge across Europe.

At Up2Circ, we believe that accelerating the transition to a circular economy requires collaboration, innovation and investment at every level of the system. 🤝🌍

📖 Read the full article here: Advancing textile circularity in Europe: https://transition-pathways.europa.eu/textiles/articles/advancing-textile-circularity-europe-case-system-level-scale?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Advancing textile circularity in Europe: the case for system-level scale-up The report highlights the need for a systemic approach to scale textile circularity in Europe, with France positioned as a leading case study. Achieving meaningful impact requires coordinated action across the entire value chain, supported by policy, innovation, research and investment.

☀️ Are you developing innovative solutions for the solar energy sector?

The Open Innovation Challenges 2026 are now 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 with real industrial challenges and market opportunities.

As part of the initiative, SolarHub SYNERGIES is launching a dedicated challenge track focused on:
☀️ Solar PV
🌱 Agrivoltaics
⚡ Grid Integration

Participants will gain direct access to industry partners, technical support, validation opportunities, and potential commercial collaborations.

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟎 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 👉https://www.b2match.com/e/open-innovation-challenges

Join this event for accelerating innovation for a more sustainable energy future.

Σύνδεσμος Βιομηχανιών Ελλάδος - ΣΒΕ

🌍 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲.

It is increasingly emerging as a driver of competitiveness, resilience, and innovation for the European economy.

A recent article from the European Environment Agency highlights a key condition for its development: creating a win-win situation for businesses, workers, and citizens.

In a context of resource pressures, shifting value chains, and the pursuit of economic sovereignty, circular models offer concrete opportunities:

♻️ reducing dependence on raw materials,
♻️ fostering innovation,
♻️ developing new markets,
♻️ creating local and sustainable jobs.

Transition to a circular economy is not only a response to climate challenges. It is also a strategic opportunity to strengthen Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness.

A particularly insightful analysis to better understand the conditions for success of this transformation :

🔗 https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/creating-win-win-for-business-and-people-key-to-success-of-circular-economy

Creating win-win for business and people key to success of circular economy Turning Europe’s circular economy ambitions into reality will depend on making it people-focused — in particular — making sure European Union rules in place work to make it a success for entrepreneurs, business owners, citizens and workers alike, according to two assessments published by the E...

Let's not waste value! 🌍

Join our Up2Circ interactive webinar "Extending Product Life", taking place June 18th, 10-11:45 CET.

🎨 We will introduce key concepts for longevity and circular value:
- Repair and Maintenance
- Refurbishment and Remanufacturing
- Upgradability
- Secondhand Market & Reuse

👍 Up2Circ ambassadors such as Maciej Gierej from JG Group Sp z o.o.p and Beatriz Román from Tesela Honey will share first-hand experiences from SMEs that have just recently implemented innovation measures to extend product lifetime.

In an interactive discussion we want to hear your views on what works best and will reserve time to answer your questions!

👉 Register now free of charge: https://up2circ.eu/webinar-extending-products-life-strategies-for-longevity-and-circular-value/

🔔 Funding Opportunity for European Textile SMEs: ELEVATEX Open Call 2026

Through the ELEVATEX project, a total of €1.98 million will be made available to European textile SMEs via two cascade funding calls.

📅 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

Selected SMEs will have the opportunity to receive €𝟑𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 through a streamlined and accessible application process.

What is the call aiming to support?
✔ Innovative textile solutions
✔ Sustainable and digital transformation
✔ Business model evolution
✔ Improved market readiness and competitiveness

Only 20 SMEs will be selected in this first round.

💻 To help applicants prepare, ELEVATEX will host an informational webinar on June 16, 2026 (10:00–11:00 CET) covering:
• Eligible projects
• Application guidelines
• Submission process
• Key recommendations for applicants

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 👉 https://www.techtera.org/en/news/elevatec-lanch-of-the-first-call/

If your company is ready to scale innovation and strengthen its competitive edge, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

♻️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁

As part of the Up2Circ project, we are proud to spotlight Ninety France, a French SME operating in the refurbished smartphone sector, led by CEO Hamyani.

Ninety’s core activity is the recovery, testing, repair and resale of smartphones. The Up2Circ project focused on assessing the feasibility of implementing a circular refurbishment activity dedicated to high-value smartphone spare parts. The circular project started as a strategic reflection on how to move beyond simple refurbishment and create a fully circular value chain, by refurbishing and reintegrating original spare parts such as screens, chassis, motherboards and cameras.

🚀 Results so far:

✅ A refurbished smartphone generates 8 times less environmental impact than a new one and saves approximately 79kg of CO₂ per device.

✅ The motherboard refurbishment alone accounts for up to 40–50% of total CO₂ savings compared to manufacturing new components.

💬Read the whole interview 👉 https://lnkd.in/eedVEAKb

📣 Exciting opportunity for European SMEs in the 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 & 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 ecosystem!

The RESIST II Product Innovation Open Call is now open, supporting innovative projects that help reshape mobility through 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬.

The programme is looking for projects focused on:
🔋 Net-Zero Manufacturing & Industrial Decarbonisation
Electric drivetrain components, hydrogen mobility technologies, smart charging systems, energy-efficient vehicle subsystems, and more.

♻️ Circular Critical Raw Materials & Resource Efficiency
CRM-efficient motors, battery second-life solutions, recycling-oriented vehicle design, circular mobility services, etc.

📊 Digital Mobility & Smart Industrial Systems
Fleet management platforms, predictive maintenance, digital product passports, mobility analytics tools, and related innovations.

🔗 Resilient Mobility Value Chains
Supply-chain monitoring, CRM traceability platforms, adaptive logistics, mobility marketplaces, and resilience-focused solutions.

💶 Funding available:
• Up to €20,000 for individual projects
• Up to €30,000 per SME for consortium projects
• Funding rate: 90% of total project budget

📅 Project duration: 9 months

In addition to funding, selected SMEs will receive:
✅ Technical assistance
✅ Training & expert support
✅ Internationalisation opportunities in third countries
🗓️ Application deadline: 13 July 2026, 17:00 (CTA)

This is a strong opportunity for SMEs developing sustainable mobility technologies and industrial innovation solutions across Europe.

🔗 More information and application details are available on the RESIST II website 👉 https://0273250431.wiin.io/en/applications/resist-ii-product-innovation-open-call?programId=6985bd71332a002ac27e14df

The MANTRA project will launch its 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟓 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞.

Are you a European manufacturing SME operating in:
🍽 Food
🔩 Metals
♻️ Plastics
🧵 Textiles
🏺 Ceramics

and looking to 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

This opportunity is for you.

🔗Check the details 👉 https://mantra-project.eu/community-platform-open-calls/traditional-smes-guidelines-for-applicants/

Across Belgium, high-quality paper (letterheads, posters, misprints) is recycled too early - skipping reuse and losing value.

Redopapers changed that.

They turn company paper waste into branded notepads & planners - before it enters the recycling stream.

The results:
♻️ 1,535 kg paper reused
💧 38,000+ L water saved
🌫️ 2.6 tons CO₂ avoided

Why it works
✔️ Extends material life (reuse > recycle)
✔️ Creates local circular loops
✔️ Delivers tangible sustainability products
✔️ Engages employees through real impact

🔑 Takeaway
Circularity isn’t just reducing waste.
It’s turning it into something useful, local, and meaningful.

🔗Read the whole story👉https://up2circ.eu/reversing-the-waste-flow-from-corporate-paper-waste-to-circular-stationery/



VLAIO Enterprise Europe Network Vlaanderen

Across Europe, innovation is going circular ♻️ - and RIVCircular is right at the center of it.

From 🇪🇸 Spain to 🇺🇦 Ukraine, this initiative connects 8 regions across 7 countries to accelerate the transition to a smarter, more sustainable economy. But this isn’t just talk - it’s action across the areas that matter most:
🔹 Construction & demolition waste
🔹 Circular energy solutions
🔹 EV battery recycling & reuse
🔹 Sustainable textiles
🔹 Digital tools for circularity

💡 What makes RIVCircular stand out?
It’s not just a project - it’s a collaboration engine.

With the RIVCircular Matchmaking Platform, you can:
✔️ Find the right partners for your next innovation project
✔️ Share your expertise and ideas with a Europe-wide network
✔️ Build strong proposals for cascade funding calls
✔️ Connect with experts and get direct support via the Helpdesk
✔️ Discover cutting-edge solutions shaping the circular economy

Whether you’re an SME, researcher, innovator, or policymaker - this is your chance to connect, collaborate, and create real impact across borders.

🔗 Find out more info 👉 https://www.b2match.com/e/rivcircular