How can the circular economy strengthen resilience, reduce dependencies, and boost competitiveness? This question will be at the heart of the Circular Valley Convention 2026, which takes place on 11 and 12 March at the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf. Bringing together the ‘who's who’ of the circular economy, the convention will feature high-ranking voices from politics, leading industrial companies, science and civil society. It will place a special focus on the early R strategies: Refuse, Rethink, Redesign, Reduce.

Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider will provide key political impetus when he speaks at the Circular Valley Convention on the status and implementation of the National Circular Economy Strategy. In his speech, he will outline the importance of the circular economy for the environment, the economy and industrial policy, and show how the circular economy can contribute to securing critical raw materials, strengthening resilience and ensuring Germany's economic independence.

The co-hosts of the Circular Valley Convention will present the industry perspective. Frank Meyer (Henkel), Talke Schaffranek (BASF), Dr Ralf Düssel (Evonik), Dr Hendrik Wehr (Vorwerk) and Dr Timo Flessner (Bayer) will discuss the internal changes companies need to make to embrace the circular economy strategically. These changes include new ways of thinking, altered processes and business models, as well as addressing the question of how companies can implement the circular economy throughout the entire value chain, from design to implementation. Not only will BASF, Bayer, Evonik, Henkel and Vorwerk be present on stage, they will also have their own exhibition stands where they will showcase concrete solutions.

Refuse, Rethink, Redesign, Reduce: Circular economy begins at the start

The convention will focus on early R strategies, which offer significant potential for conserving resources and effecting systemic change. Matthias Lesch (Pöppelmann), Prof. Dr. Welf-Guntram Drossel (Fraunhofer IWU), Tobias Albers (Kearney), Prof. Dr. Dr. Robert Schlögl (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation), Dr. Maike Albers-Malkus (NRW.Bank) and Ingo Noppen (Wupperverband) will discuss the need for fundamental rethinking of products, processes and infrastructures. The focus is on the question: How can we avoid using resources for products that we don't need in the first place?

The programme is complemented by prominent voices from academia and civil society, who contribute different perspectives on the opportunities offered by the circular economy. These include Reiner Hoffmann, Chairman of the German Council for Sustainable Development, Prof. Dr. Channing Robertson from Stanford University, and Prof. Dr. Dr. Christoph Schmidt, President of the RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research. Their contributions show how the circular economy is not just an industrial or technological issue, but a process of transformation for society as a whole.

“The focus on refuse, rethink, redesign and reduce makes it clear that the path to circular value creation is set very early on. The Circular Valley Convention brings together the people shaping the circular economy: top politicians, leading companies, excellent scientists, and influential members of civil society,” says Dr Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation.

Trade fair, conference and networking in one place

With the motto 'Uniting Industries for a Circular Tomorrow', the 2026 Circular Valley Convention will once again bring together a conference, trade fair and networking opportunities in a comprehensive format. A variety of exhibitors will showcase products, technologies and business models throughout the entire product life cycle, demonstrating the circular economy to the trade audience.