"The circular economy is key to making our economy resilient in times of uncertainty and change," said Mona Neubaur, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister for Economic Affairs, in her opening speech at the Circular Valley Forum 2025. "Only through innovation, courage and cross-border cooperation can we initiate the necessary changes." This year's forum also adopted this motto: ‘Action across Borders and Industries.’ 

More than 1,200 decision-makers gathered at the historic town hall in Wuppertal: Among them were CEOs from large corporations and innovative medium-sized companies, as well as executives from research institutions and universities, and key figures from civil society.

A wide variety of fields contributed insights and perspectives. After the minister's opening speech, Dr Thomas Latzel, president of the Protestant Church of the Rhineland, demonstrated how the circular economy and faith intersect. For instance, this can involve preserving creation, promoting genuine democratic participation and ensuring fair economic processes.

Video-Greeting from Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider: Circular Valley Forum is a good example of cooperation

The forum also brought together representatives from various industries for discussions on the current state of the chemical and metal industries, as well as the construction sector. The discussions focused on existing innovations and the ways in which good cooperation across national borders can drive the transition to a circular economy. Start-ups from the Circular Economy Accelerator also had the opportunity to present their innovative business ideas at the forum.

In a video message, Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider emphasized the importance of the circular economy for achieving climate targets, but also for independence in uncertain times. “For a country with few natural resources like Germany, the circular economy ensures resilience and security of supply and helps us remain competitive,” said the minister. The federal government is therefore working on implementing the National Circular Economy Strategy, which was adopted last year. He also emphasized: “The circular economy only works when politics, business, and civil society work together. The Circular Valley Forum is a good example of such cooperation and gives us confidence for the future.”

“The circular economy links environmental goals with economic power, as well as smart economic decisions with sustainability.”

The focus of the Circular Valley Forum 2025 was cross-border cooperation in the heart of Europe. The existing cooperation between Flanders and North Rhine-Westphalia is being expanded to encompass the Netherlands. The Netherlands started addressing the transition to a circular economy at a political level early on. The first national programmes were launched in 2016. "This has raised awareness of the issue in society," says Arnoud Passenier, advisor to the Dutch government on the circular economy. The task now is to scale up solutions, and future cooperation will be valuable in this regard.
Susanne Hagenkorth-Rieger from the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs is convinced that the circular economy creates new jobs, makes industry more resilient, and promotes sustainability. “It links environmental goals with economic power and smart economic decisions with sustainability.”

“Now is the right time to act,” says Brigitte Mouligneau, Transition Manager Circular Economy at Flanders Circulaire. The cooperation to date shows what is possible through such cross-border projects. On the evening of the forum, the expanded cooperation with the new partner, the Netherlands, will be sealed.