Ewa Harlacz

Reducing dependencies: Critical raw materials and their importance for the green economy of the future

The implementation of the Green Deal depends heavily on raw materials. But what resources are actually required for this, where do they come from, how stable are their supply chains and what recycling options already exist? What does this mean for stakeholders in NRW and how can recycling capacity be increased (to 25 percent) in order to make the availability of raw materials more resilient? We want to discuss this with…

• Entrepreneurs from the manufacturing industry
• Representatives of the recycling industry
• the Circular Economy Round Table

to the programme: SUMMIT Umweltwirtschaft.NRW

The electronics industry plays a key role in the transition to a comprehensive circular economy. New regulatory frameworks and strategies at European level, such as the Critical Raw Materials Act, and at national level, such as the draft National Circular Economy Strategy, are influencing and supporting the transformation of the electronics sector towards a circular economy. In addition to general strategies and measures, there are also specific targets for reducing the environmental impact of production and use along the product value chain, for example through better product design and more efficient recycling.

In order to shape the transformation and establish material cycles, relevant stakeholder groups from business, science and politics in North Rhine-Westphalia are working together in the Circular B2B Electronics exchange platform.

This article summarises the stakeholder perspectives, obstacles and opportunities for the circular economy.

Read the article: Pathways to a circular economy in the electronics industry in NRW

On 16 September, 2024, the Environmental Economy Award was presented for the third time. The award recognizes companies that combine environmental and climate protection with economic success in an impressive way. In 2024 companies in the green economy in North Rhine-Westphalia once again had the chance to win a total of €60,000 in prize money. Here you can find out which companies impressed the jury with their innovative business models in 2024.

First place and €30,000 in prize money went to ClayTec GmbH & Co. KG from Viersen.
ClayTec has been producing building materials such as mortar and drywall panels from clay for 40 years: a raw material that is available in large quantities in Germany and is a suitable substitute for less environmentally friendly materials such as gypsum and limestone.

Voltfang GmbH from Aachen was delighted to be awarded second place and €20,000 in prize money.
The innovative Aachen-based company Voltfang has developed a battery storage system from second-life batteries that helps small and medium-sized companies and industry to reduce their ecological footprint and save costs.

HDB Recycling GmbH from Hünxe came third in the Environmental Business Award.NRW 2024, which is awarded with €10,000.
Where to put mixed mineral waste? HDB Recycling GmbH from Hünxe has come up with an innovative solution. With its wet processing plant for recycled aggregates in North Rhine Westphalia, the company processes mineral waste into high-quality secondary construction materials for building construction and civil engineering.

Under the motto “Green Economy paves the way to Europe’s first climate-neutral industrial region”, the Ministry of the Environment has awarded the Green Economy Award for the third time this year together with NRW.BANK.