Get off to a flying start towards a circular economy: insights from Circular Economy Connect

Why focus on the circular economy?

Every company, regardless of size or sector, can benefit from a circular way of working. It makes your company more resilient, competitive and sustainable. But how to get started?

There is no standard step-by-step plan. The right approach depends on your specific context. What we do know for sure: companies learn the most from each other's practical experiences – from what works, but also from what doesn't go so well.

That's why Circular Economy Connect is so valuable: the network offers a unique opportunity to get ideas, share insights and really take steps forward.

What are you going to work on in the circular economy?

• Circular product design & revenue models 
  How do you translate a linear business model into a successful circular solution?
   
• Marketing circular products and services
  How do you bring a circular offer to the market and convince your customers?
   
• Collaboration in the chain
  How can you collaborate with other stakeholders in the value chain? And how do you balance the costs and benefits?
   
• To measure is to know
  How can you monitor circularity within your organisation? And how do you set up relevant KPIs?
   
• Impact on your organization
  What internal changes occur in your in your organization when you start working on circularity? Which competencies do you need?

What are the challenges for companies?

Despite the growing interest, companies often face similar challenges:

• New regulations: What are the consequences for your company, and how do you respond proactively?
• Funding: How do you make a circular offer financially feasible?
• Digital technology: How can AI, IoT and other tools strengthen your circular ambitions?

Thé 10 insights from the Circular Economy Connect network!

1. Always start from the needs of the customer, not from an existing product. Offer a circular answer to customer needs.
2. Product design is key to circularity, but beware of pitfalls.
3. Openness and trust are essential when setting up new product-service combinations.
4. Reverse logistics is often a crucial factor in your business model.
5. A circular revenue model often requires new competencies and structures within your organization.
6. Many legal barriers have already been resolved – so don't let that stop you.
7. Monitor circularity within your organization, and communicate clearly about it.
8. Going circular alone is difficult – collaboration is the key to success.
9. Technology is a tool for circularity, not an end goal.
10. Data and insights give wings to your strategy – know what information you need, where to find it and how to use it.

Would you like to participate in the Circular Economy Connect network? 
Register today for the 2025-2026 edition and become part of this exclusive group of companies of CE Connect!  The learning network consists of 4 physical and 1 online sessions, in which the various aspects of Circular Economy are explained and made concrete on the basis of examples and exercises.

Not sure if this learning network suits your organization? Don't worry: contact us and we will be happy to discuss the possibilities offered by Agoria and Sirris (or other partner organisations), which meet your needs for implementing circularity.

Want to know more? Download our whitepapers

• Circular Economy: How our tech companies are adopting new sustainable business models - Download (Dutch or French)
• Circular Economy: How to start as a company? - Download (Dutch or French)
• Circular Bytes: This is how the digital circular economy works - Download (Dutch or French) 
   

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