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

solutions

Biosolutions

+1

From green grass to green plastic

Life with plastic, not fantastic 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally – every year. It stays in the environment for ages, threatening wildlife and spreading toxins. Furthermore, the production of plastic today is based on crude oil and responsible for emitting around 2 billion tonnes

News

Building design

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Denmark aims to increase the recycling of construction materials

The Danish government has recently approved a new legislation mandating recycling plans for buildings exceeding 250 square meters scheduled for demolition.

News

Circular business models

+6

Vestas introduces low-emission steel offerings for wind turbines

1 February 2024

With the steel industry being emission-heavy, Danish wind giants Vestas have formed a partnership to introduce low-emission steel offering that reduces emissions from production of wind turbine towers.

News

Buildings

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Realdania supports innovative digital platform for circular construction

31 January 2024

Circue ApS has received support from the philanthropic association Realdania for the next phase of the project “Circue – Circular Construction Connected.” The project’s purpose is to develop a digital platform that promotes circular construction.

News

Bio-based circular solutions

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Six Danish companies amongst the world’s 100 most sustainable

17 January 2024

With six entries in the global 100 most sustainable corporations, Denmark’s private sector once again shows its commitment to driving the green transition.

publications

Circular value chains

+7

Transitioning to a sustainable healthcare sector

18 December 2023

Developed in cooperation with Healthcare Denmark, our white paper on "Transitioning to a sustainable healthcare sector" explores Denmark's push towards creating a more resilient and resource-efficient healthcare sector.

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Meet Danish circular business models professionals

Company

Air pollution

+72

Ramboll

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

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

Financial Institution

Green financing

+32

Rockstart Ventures

Rockstart is a leading accelerator VC investing in ambitious founders with groundbreaking visions for a regenerative and sustainable future.

Company

Biosolutions

+6

Nocla

Nocla is an innovative food company specializing in sustainable and natural flavorings for professional kitchens and food producers.

Company

Circular economy

+6

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

+4

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

+22

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

+15

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

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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, 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.

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.