In a corporate context, Circular Economy means designing value creation so that resources are kept in circulation for as long as possible, waste is avoided, and materials are reused or reprocessed. Unlike linear models, it aims to systematically combine environmental impact and economic value.
For companies, Circular Economy goes far beyond traditional recycling. It starts with product design and equally includes material selection, procurement, product use, and the development of new business models. The goal is to make products more durable, repairable, or modular, establish take-back and reuse systems, and manage material flows transparently. This reduces dependence on virgin raw materials, lowers costs, and increases security of supply.
A Circular Economy strategy is always closely linked to the sustainability strategy. It translates strategic sustainability goals into concrete levers along the value chain and creates clear prioritization instead of individual, isolated measures. At the same time, it makes an important contribution to the climate strategy, as more efficient use of materials and longer product life cycles often significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions—especially in Scope 3.
In addition, Circular Economy is becoming increasingly important in the context of regulatory and market requirements. Requirements from sustainability reporting increasingly demand transparency on resource use, waste streams, and circular measures. When implemented correctly, Circular Economy becomes a strategic approach that combines environmental responsibility, economic efficiency, and innovation—making companies more resilient and competitive in the long term.
