On Friday, the Circular Valley Forum 2025 brought together more than 1,200 decision-makers from politics, business, science and civil society to demonstrate the importance of the circular economy for Europe, and to showcase the power that can be generated when regions and different industries collaborate. The motto of this year's forum was “Action across Borders and Industries”.

The forum gained strong momentum from the outset. Following opening statements from Dr Thomas Stoffmehl (Vorwerk) and Dr Dorothee Becker (Becker Group), as well as a keynote address from Mona Neubaur, the North Rhine-Westphalia Minister for Economic Affairs, numerous panels demonstrated the current state of the circular economy in various industries. Dr Thomas Latzel, president of the Protestant Church in the Rhineland, offered a unique social perspective, highlighting that the circular economy also raises issues of responsibility, social participation and the preservation of the environment.

Lively exchange also between the panels

Throughout the day, experts from the metal, chemical and building materials industries discussed new technologies, rising recycling rates and the conditions required for scalable solutions. The European perspective also played a central role, with delegations from North Rhine-Westphalia, Flanders and the Netherlands presenting their close cooperation and the potential of the trilateral region as a core area of the European circular economy. Pitches from startups in Batch 9 of the Circular Valley Accelerator demonstrated which new technologies are close to being ready for the market. 

The afternoon sessions covered topics including digital product passports, innovation structures, energy issues, regional economic development and the tech industry's role in circular processes.

However, it wasn't just the programme that shaped the day; the special atmosphere at the Circular Valley Forum also played a part. "You could feel how willing people were to exchange ideas. That's exactly what we wanted: not only for people to discuss issues in the panels, but also to meet each other, share ideas and think ahead together," said Dr Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation. Participants enjoyed talking to each other across their industries and professional fields. "The forum thrives on this energy, which was palpable throughout the day. This joy of exchange is a key driver of transformation."

Highlight of the day: The trilateral agreement

In the evening, leading representatives from North Rhine-Westphalia, Flanders and the Netherlands signed a joint declaration on cooperation. This officially expands the existing collaboration between North Rhine-Westphalia and Flanders to encompass the Netherlands. NRW Environment Minister Oliver Krischer emphasised the importance of signing the declaration: "I am very pleased that we now have comprehensive cooperation with the Netherlands and Flanders, which will further strengthen our regional expertise and expand our exchanges, enabling us to have a broader impact."

Krischer also emphasised the importance of the circular economy in addressing the major challenges of our time. "When it comes to climate protection and adaptation, the circular economy is key. It is the answer to securing our planet's future and managing our limited resources. It is an ecological solution, but also an economic one.”

Implementation begins immediately after signing

Work began immediately after the signing ceremony. "We sat down together straight away and started planning the next steps," says Dr Carsten Gerhardt. Representatives from all three regions discussed concrete proposals for actions and projects to be implemented beyond the regions and presented to Brussels.

Gerhardt sees this as a strong sign. "The Circular Valley Forum should be a place for implementation, not announcements. That is exactly what happened today. Today showed how much can be achieved when people who are truly committed to making a difference come together.”