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Dossier

Dossier

Circular economy

It still sounds like utopia that we operate in such a way that no waste is generated and resources are reused again and again. In Europe, this scenario is now becoming more real, not least thanks to European promotional banks that are joining forces to support contributions by companies and municipalities to a circular economy. The aim is to turn individual examples into a movement. In our dossier, we present the European Joint Initiative on Circular Economy, and projects that pursue the principle of a closed-loop economy.

Image-Reference

On our website, pictures taken, among others, by the following photographers/photo agencies are used:

Agentur photothek.net, Deutsche Messe Hannover, Andreas Arnold, Jörg Böthling, Dominik Butzmann, Carsten Costard, Susanne Esche, Charlie Fawell, Rendel Freude, Torsten George, Gaby Gerster, David Greedy, Peter Himsel, Barbara Högner, Frank Homann, Fred Hoogervorst, Steffen Jagenburg (BRANSCH EUROPE), Thomas Klewar, Studio Kohlmeier , Florian Kopp, Georg Lopata, Jürgen Lösel, Kirsten Milhahn, Rüdiger Nehmzow, Rolf Obertreis, Rubén Arnaldo Farina Ortiz, Holger Peters, Joachim Röttgers, Mika Schmidt, Bernhard Schurian, Jens Steingässer, Pietro Sutera, Uwe Tölle, Jan Zappner.

Fotolia.com: amandare, Yuri Arcurs, Kitch Bain, Ingo Bartussek, Sergio Donà, drizzd, Dmitry Ersler, eyewave, Zoltán Futó, Eric Gevaert, Fotolia XXV, Friedberg, goodluz, Dirk Hoffmann, imageteam, Christian Jung, Abdelhamid Kalai, Sergej Khakimullin, Vladimir Kolobov, krizz7, Kzenon, lumen-digital, marog-pixcells, Mindwalker, Miredi, mirpic, Nebuto, Tino Neitz, Christian Pedant, Franz Pfluegl, prognone, Gina Sanders, Henry Schmitt, spree berlin, SVLuma, Kheng Guan Toh, tom, Torbz, typomaniac, VRD, Joachim Wendler, Sreedhar Yedlapati.

To the animated film
Planet earth in space, animated

Why we need a circular economy

A circular economy is considered as the solution to the global waste problem, it helps reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions. But what exactly is circular economy, and how can it be achieved? Our film gives some answers.

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To the interview
portrait of Denzer-Speck and Kiehl

A waste-free economy

If we want to live in a future where the environment remains intact, we will need to drastically reduce the amount of waste we produce. This is why KfW and other partners are now investing billions in a European circular economy.

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Infographic on circular economy

Circular economy holds the key

In order to stem global resource loss and climate change, there is a need to catch up on issues such as recycling-friendly product design or material efficiency. KfW expert Anke Brüggemann sums up how the transition to a circular economy can be achieved.

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To the award-winner portrait
production of Unicaps

Coffee capsules without aluminium and plastic

UniCaps has developed a capsule made from renewable raw materials and fills it with organically grown coffee and tea. The Brandenburg-based company was presented with the KfW Entrepreneurs' Award 2019 for this sustainable idea.

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Bag from Meehr

From a fishing net to a shopping bag

What was once used to pull fish out of the water is now used to carry groceries. The student start-up Meehr produces bags made from used fishing nets in order to offer an alternative to plastic bags and combat plastic waste in the sea.

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Visit the award winner’s profile
Foundress Claudia Valder

Pure plant power

The healing power of plants is used in creams, medicinal teas or cough syrup. Strict rules apply to the use of medicinal essences or preparations. Claudia Valder from Systema Natura is committed to traceable manufacturing, and this work led to the company winning the regional KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award 2019 for Schleswig-Holstein.

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In Hamburg, a city district is nearly completely supplied with carbon-neutral exhaust heat

Steamy liaison

The metal company Aurubis and the energy supplier enercity are making industrial history in Hamburg. HafenCity Ost ("HarbourCity East") is the first city district to be supplied almost completely with waste heat that is virtually carbon-free.

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Neustadt municipal utility

Recycling in construction

The administrative location of Stadtwerke Neustadt in Holstein in Germany is setting standards for the municipal energy transition. The passive house also incorporates recycled components consistent with the principles of a circular economy and was awarded the "EnEff.Gebäude.2050" prize.

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Bio-Lutions plate

Disposable tableware without plastic

A company is tackling the plastic waste challenge: Bio-Lutions buys unused crop waste from Indian farmers. The German start-up uses the raw material and produces disposable tableware and packaging, which are fully compostable.

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Superseven

Cellulose film against plastic waste

While the world is being littered with plastics and microplastics that do not decompose, the start-up Superseven, winner of the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award 2018 in the “people’s choice”, is offering an environmentally-friendly alternative. And the interest in it is tremendous.

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Uwe D’Agnone is founder of Creapaper.

Better paper

Paper manufacturing consumes a lot of energy, wood and water. Entrepreneur Uwe D’Agnone went in search of a more sustainable alternative. The grass paper he developed also convinced the jury of the KfW Entrepreneurs' Award 2017. The Creapaper company was awarded the title of National Winner.

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Ilsfeld's town sign: European energy and climate protection municipality

A plus for both the climate and balance sheet

The community of Ilsfeld wants to cut its ties to fossil-based sources of energy. The local heat network in Ilsfeld uses the heat from purified waste water and supplies the community with environmentally-friendly energy.

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Energy transition 2.0

Rita Feinkohl and Ludger Sens can both supply and receive mains power. They live in a KfW Efficiency Houses 40 Plus. Thanks to their digital connections, they are already equipped for swarming – one of the most important concepts for the future.

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Animated picture: family standing in front of a house

How to save energy

Germany can drastically reduce its energy consumption, using environmentally-friendly methods to produce both electricity and heat. A change of direction that is necessary to successfully facilitate the energy transition and put the brakes on climate change. This film shows how this works.

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Heating with server racks

Twice the benefits

The Cloud & Heat company uses the exhaust heat from server racks to heat buildings. Professor Dr Christof Fetzer on the development of a green energy solution.

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Founders of Betterspace

Trailblazer for digital hotels

Betterspace wants to support hotels on the path to the digital future. It all started with control systems for heaters. A portrait of the start-up churning out great ideas.

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Laser at work

Wilms Metallmarkt puts stock in fibre laser

Wilms Metallmarkt produces metal parts made to measure in single piece or series manufacturing. In future, the parts will have even cleaner contours and sharper edges. Because the family-owned company has invested in an energy-efficient fibre laser.

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Climate protection on the production line

Flensburger Brauerei, a brewery in northern Germany, is investing in energy-efficient technology. With the help of KfW loans, it has once again updated its production facilities. And this is paying off – for the environment and for the company.

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”There's no alternative to using exhaust heat“

The traditional bakery Müller & Egerer had its production processes scrutinised by an energy consultant. It quickly became clear that using the exhaust heat from the oven held enormous potential for savings.

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