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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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

News

Air pollution in agriculture

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Denmark announces historic tripartite agreement to cut agricultural carbon emissions and restore nature

On 24 June, the Danish government and leading industry, agriculture and environmental groups reached agreement on a historic plan to cut carbon from agriculture and restore nature. The green tripartite agreement defines Denmark’s long-term basis for the conversion of agricultural land as well as the transition of food and agricultural production in line with the country’s 2030-target.

solutions

Bio-based circular solutions

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A Greener Way to Dye Blue Jeans

The textile industry relies on chemically intensive synthetic indigo resulting in staggering greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Hazardous wastewater is often released directly into waterways, intentionally or by leakage. Rampant use of indigo has led to adverse socio-economic effects, both dire

solutions

Bio-based circular solutions

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DTU Biosustain Sustainable Innovation Office

Today, essential commodities are manufactured from chemicals based on oil or extracted from plants. This way of manufacturing depletes natural resources, increases carbon dioxide emissions, and negatively affects biogeochemical cycles. Products should instead be obtained using sustainable biotechnol

solutions

Bio-based circular solutions

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DTU Biosustain Biofoundry

While the Biofoundry supports all the research groups of the Center, its overall aim is to help bridge the technological ‘valley of death’ and advance selected research projects in developing cell factories for chemical or protein production. Subsequently, these projects can be handed ov

News

Bio-based circular solutions

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New Publication Reveals That Maritime Building Materials Can Reduce CO2 and Alleviate the Marine Environment

In the handbook Marine Biobased Building Materials, developed on behalf of Nordic Innovation, the global engineering and design firm Arup assesses the development of regenerative maritime building materials and highlights the challenges that may exist for commercial adoption.

News

Energy efficiency in industry

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Denmark's industrial sector cuts emissions by 17%

The most energy-intensive companies in Denmark's industrial sector have successfully cut emissions by 17% over the past two years. The slash in emissions is largely attributed to the governmental decision made in 2020 to implement a CO2 tax within the industry.

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Meet Danish circular business models professionals

Company

Circular economy

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RefurbishBike ApS

RefurbishBike: A green solution for waste and urban / micro transportation with a high value for ESG and CSR in a circular cycling concept

Organisation

Biodiversity

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BSR

BSR is a sustainable business network and consultancy focused on creating a world in which all people can thrive on a healthy planet. With offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, BSR provides its

Organisation

Air pollution

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Danish Standards

Danish Standards is Denmark's official standardization organization, providing Danish market players the opportunity to help secure Danish interests and competitiveness in the development of European

Company

Air pollution

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CO2 Brains

Developing countries suffer the most from climate change and the loss of biodiversity and fertile land. Yet these countries also offer opportunities in the form of skilled labour and available degrade

Research Institution

Bio-based circular solutions

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DTU Biosustain

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU-Biosustain) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) aims to develop new knowledge and technologies to support the transformation from

Organisation

Biodiversity

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ConTech Lab - a part of Molio

ConTech Lab is the construction industry's shared development platform where companies from the industry can develop and experiment with new ways of using data, digitalization and technology to create

Organisation

Bio-based circular solutions

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Half Double Institute

Are you looking to reach higher impact at a faster pace with your projects? Then contact us to learn more about how you can leverage the Danish-developed project management methodology Half Double.

Company

Buildings

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a:gain ApS

We develop, produce and deliver upcycled circular building elements and interior products at scale for B2B clients. We substitute existing high-emmiting products, reduce raw material consumption, and

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Explore related focus areas

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Carbon capture, storage and utilisation

Carbon capture, storage, and utilisation (CCSU) 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. This is the next phase in Denmark’s energy transition.

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.