Circular business models

By addressing product life extension, reuse, and the recycling of waste, circular business models can reduce consumption and minimise waste generation. They allow products to be continuously used, reused, sold as a service, and enable the sharing of products, rather than incentivizing a one-time purchase. A commonality and driving forces are data collection, digital tools, and design.

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New Circularity Gap Report lays the path for a more circular Denmark

By examining how Denmark can close its circularity gap, a new report provides insight into material consumption, including the link between consumption and climate impacts.

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Circularity in Denmark

10 Examples of Circular Economy Solutions

We have gathered 10 examples of circular economy solutions that through practical cases illustrate how circular business models prove to be a sound business strategy that facilitates access to new markets, drives innovative solutions and saves production costs.

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We have gathered 10 examples of Circular Economy solutions. Learn how circular business models prove to be a sound business strategy.

New Circularity Gap Report lays the path for a more circular Denmark

10 Examples of Circular Economy Solutions

Explore circular business models

Creation date: Latest first

Solution

Building design

+20

Renewables Focus with Port Development

A European municipality sought to define a clear vision for transforming an industrial area into a hub for renewable energy manufacturing, while aligning stakeholders including municipal staff and elected officials.

Event

Circular economy

+2

LOOP Forum 2026 - Securing Resources for Stronger Business

With growing resource scarcity and increasingly volatile supply chains, access to critical materials is emerging as a strategic challenge for European businesses. Circular solutions can help companies secure valuable resources, reduce dependence on virgin materials and strengthen long-term competiti

Solution

Circular value chains

+6

A Hydrogen Ecosystem Model in Port of Hirtshals

The CONVEY project aims to establish an integrated hydrogen ecosystem at the Port of Hirtshals in Denmark. The project will utilize renewable energy from local wind turbines to produce green hydrogen and help decarbonize the operations in the port.

Partner news

Bio-based circular solutions

+4

Blue biomass and green buildings: New effort to explore the potential for using ocean resources as building materials

13 February 2026

A new initiative will investigate the potential for converting biomass from Danish seas and coasts into bio-based building materials. The project aims to create an overview of the possibilities and climate change benefits of concepts and methods that will also contribute to a better marine environment.

Partner news

Building materials

+4

'Bevar Mere' in Denmark to pioneer practical renovation over new builds

11 February 2026

Through the philanthropic ‘Bevar Mere’ initiative, Arup is piloting a practical way to make building renovation the default choice across Denmark. The work on a new ‘Preserve or Explain’ tool is intended for adoption by Danish municipalities in the building permit process in 2026.

Solution

Circular business models

+15

ExoMare

Access to water is a fundamental right and need for urban, rural and remote communities, sustaining livelihood and development of local communities. The change of climatic conditions globally and locally challenges the access to water which is set to expand rapidly in the years to come.

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Meet Danish circular business models professionals

Company

Air pollution from industry production

+68

Ramboll

Ramboll is a leading international architecture, engineering, and consultancy company, owned by the Ramboll Foundation.

Company

Buildings

+7

ROCKWOOL Group

ROCKWOOL is the world leader in stone wool products, from building insulation to acoustic ceilings, external cladding systems to horticultural solutions, engineered fibres for industrial use to insula

Research Institution

Air pollution from industry production

+8

Circular Innovation Lab ApS

We are a strategy and policy think-tank on circular economy. Through research, digital tools, national roadmaps, and capacity building, we help governments, UN agencies, and businesses design and impl

Organisation

Innovation

+5

IDA - The Danish Society of Engineers

The voice of technology.

Company

Biodiversity

+15

Upstream Partners

Upstream Partners is a purpose-driven consultancy dedicated to creating a nature-positive future by supporting companies, governments, and financial institutions in their transition toward sustainabil

Company

Energy efficiency in industry

+11

Advansor

We specialize in sustainable CO₂-based heat pumps and climate solutions that combine cooling, freezing, air-conditioning and heating into one system to reduce the need for fossil fuels, boost energy s

Company

Biodiversity

+15

cirka cph

In cirka cph, we are dedicated to democratising taking action that contributes to planetary sustainability. We contribute to this through project work and close collaborations with both public bodies,

Company

Building materials

+7

Troldtekt

Troldtekt has been designing, developing and manufacturing Troldtekt acoustic panels since 1935. Our products are developed and manufactured in Denmark, and sold in numerous countries around the world

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Explore related focus areas

Energy efficiency in industry

The energy-intensive industry contributes crucial materials for society – for buildings, manufacturing, transport, food processing, and energy production. Denmark serves as a global inspiration in this sector through strategic investments, innovative policies, and forward-thinking public-private partnerships, excelling in energy efficiency, integration of renewable energy sources, utilization of surplus heat, and mandating emissions reductions, setting a benchmark for sustainable industrial practices worldwide.

Resource-efficient production

Resource-efficient production is about optimising the use of materials and energy to create sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing processes. By implementing circular economy principles, such as recycling and reusing materials, Danish industries have proved that decoupling economic growth from an increase in energy consumption is possible. This commitment to resource-efficient production not only conserves natural resources but also strengthens sustainable industrial practices.

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) are important tools for reducing emissions and accelerating the green transition. Through technologies like power-to-x, we can use the CO2e we already emit as a sustainable energy and fuel in other sectors.

Green hydrogen

Green hydrogen and e-fuels play a vital role in advancing the green transition. Produced through electrolysis using renewable electricity, both are critical components in decarbonising industries and transporta-tion globally.

Water in industries

Challenges to production capacity, due to increasing water supply issues, are putting pressure on industries. To stay competitive industries must look to efficient reduction in water consumption in production and to local treatment of the industrial wastewater for possible reuse. By optimising water use, reducing wastewater discharge, and reusing water within industrial processes, industries can significantly lower their water footprint.

Circular business model

By addressing product life extension, reuse, and the recycling of waste, circular business models can reduce consumption and minimise waste generation. They allow products to be continuously used, reused, sold as a service, and enable the sharing of products, rather than incentivizing a one-time purchase. A commonality and driving forces are data collection, digital tools, and design.

Industrial symbiosis

Industrial symbiosis is about creating collaborative networks where waste or by-products from one industry serve as resources for another. In an effort to create more resource-efficient industries, several eco-industrial parks have been developed in Denmark where businesses work together to optimise resource use and reduce waste. By sharing energy, water, and materials, they enhance efficiency, lower costs, and minimise their environmental impact.

Air pollution from industry production

Air pollution from industrial production is about addressing and mitigating the harmful emissions released into the atmosphere by manufacturing processes. Denmark’s proactive approach to reducing industrial air pollution includes the implementation of strict environmental regulations, advanced emission control technologies, and continuous monitoring systems. By promoting cleaner production methods and encouraging the use of sustainable energy sources, Danish industries have significantly reduced their air pollution levels over the years.

Biosolutions

Biosolutions are about harnessing natural processes and biological innovations to address environmental challenges and improve industrial practices. Danish businesses are cutting-edge when it comes to biosolutions. As a well-established research-based industry with a strong international engagement, the Danish biosolutions cluster provides abreadth of ways to initiate and accelerate the green transition across industries.