Drawing on cross-sector case studies from construction and food to finance and retail, this white paper illustrates how circularity is being translated into business models, procurement systems and design strategies.

It looks at systems thinking, industrial ecology, design innovation, business models, enabling mechanisms and behavioural change – all of which are key to understanding and implementing circularity across business and policy contexts.

The paper finds that organisational culture, leadership and behavioural change are as critical as technical solutions; EU policy momentum is accelerating uptake through regulation, finance and public procurement; and businesses that embed circularity across functions and align it with broader sustainability goals are best positioned for the future.