2024-11-09
The Circular Valley Forum grows more and more international
The Minister-President of Flanders will attend the major meeting of the circular economy on November 15. This is a double signal: for the good cooperation with NRW and for the expansion of the alliance to include other countries.
Minister-President of Flanders Matthias Diependaele
There is a lot of good news in the program of the Circular Valley Forum. On the morning of November 15, more than 1,200 guests will hear what has been achieved in the field since the agreement between North Rhine-Westphalia and Flanders at Forum 2023. And in the evening, the Minister President of Flanders, Matthias Diependaele, and NRW Minister for European Affairs, Nathanael Liminski, will give an overview of how the two countries are moving forward with their cooperation.
“Flanders has maintained strong economic ties with the NRW region for decades. In many ways, we are similar regions that learn a lot from each other. Flanders has great expertise and a thriving circular economy ecosystem, but by joining hands, we can accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. By anchoring European industrial activities, we offer an answer to growing global competition. In that respect, I am therefore very much looking forward to the Circular Valley Forum”, concludes Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele.
And the next piece of good news for a cross-border circular economy is already in sight. Both the Netherlands and Wales have declared their interest in becoming part of the alliance and the network.
Flanders and NRW kicked things off a year ago. No country can achieve a circular economy on its own; size is crucial to its long-term impact, said NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst at the time. His state and Flanders form the largest industrial center in Europe and were therefore very well suited to give the starting signal for cooperating in the circular economy. “We want to show that it can be done,” said Wüst. The decisive factor is achieving climate protection and maintaining prosperity simultaneously.
At present, the partners are working together in three areas:
The future of the chemical industry The area between Antwerp, Leverkusen and Marl is home to numerous large companies of the chemical industry. They want and need to be a major supporter of the circular economy. Up to now, they have mainly been active at the beginning of the value chain. In the future, they will connect the end with the beginning. They will convert consumer products that are no longer needed into components and substances that can be reused as new materials. Only the chemical industry has this expertise.
Battery recycling In view of the energy transition and the Paris Agreement, countries need storage options for their fast-growing use of electricity. As there is only a limited supply of the necessary raw materials in Europe, it is essential to develop good recycling processes for batteries. This will make NRW, Flanders and the continent independent of imports in the future.
Building materials There are excellent initiatives on both sides of the border that specialize in certain materials and their tracking. In the construction sector, it is particularly important to make these players visible and to join forces with them.
“Flanders has maintained strong economic ties with the NRW region for decades. In many ways, we are similar regions that learn a lot from each other. Flanders has great expertise and a thriving circular economy ecosystem, but by joining hands, we can accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. By anchoring European industrial activities, we offer an answer to growing global competition. In that respect, I am therefore very much looking forward to the Circular Valley Forum”, concludes Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele.
And the next piece of good news for a cross-border circular economy is already in sight. Both the Netherlands and Wales have declared their interest in becoming part of the alliance and the network.
Flanders and NRW kicked things off a year ago. No country can achieve a circular economy on its own; size is crucial to its long-term impact, said NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst at the time. His state and Flanders form the largest industrial center in Europe and were therefore very well suited to give the starting signal for cooperating in the circular economy. “We want to show that it can be done,” said Wüst. The decisive factor is achieving climate protection and maintaining prosperity simultaneously.
At present, the partners are working together in three areas:
The future of the chemical industry The area between Antwerp, Leverkusen and Marl is home to numerous large companies of the chemical industry. They want and need to be a major supporter of the circular economy. Up to now, they have mainly been active at the beginning of the value chain. In the future, they will connect the end with the beginning. They will convert consumer products that are no longer needed into components and substances that can be reused as new materials. Only the chemical industry has this expertise.
Battery recycling In view of the energy transition and the Paris Agreement, countries need storage options for their fast-growing use of electricity. As there is only a limited supply of the necessary raw materials in Europe, it is essential to develop good recycling processes for batteries. This will make NRW, Flanders and the continent independent of imports in the future.
Building materials There are excellent initiatives on both sides of the border that specialize in certain materials and their tracking. In the construction sector, it is particularly important to make these players visible and to join forces with them.
Information for editorial offices
If you would like to attend the Circular Valley Forum and report on it, please register here.
Photo: © 2Photographers - Paul Gheyle & Jürgen de Witte
If you would like to attend the Circular Valley Forum and report on it, please register here.
Photo: © 2Photographers - Paul Gheyle & Jürgen de Witte
