RREUSE, the European network of social enterprises active in re-use, repair and recycling, is organising its third annual conference, in collaboration with the Spanish social enterprise network AERESS and Traperos de Emaús Navarra. This unique event will focus on strategies supporting longer-lasting products through re-use and repair that create local inclusive jobs, provide green products and services and contribute positively to well-being in our society.

The EREK international conference will demonstrate how successful businesses and industries seek resource efficient solutions, collaborate in a circular and social economy, and pursue digitalisation to gain a competitive edge. From keynote speeches to practical sessions, the conference aims to gather the Resource Efficiency community by promoting exchanges between all actors, from newcomers to front runners, from SMEs to business intermediaries, raising awareness of existing and upcoming opportunities to make the Circular Economy a reality.

Soda production (for the glass, water softening, pulp and paper or detergents industrial processes) generates by-products called lime, which accounts for approximately 40 % of the soda ash production volume.

So far the soda lime has been traditionally used in agriculture as a calcium fertilizer, with limited added value.

CIECH, a leading European soda manufacturer, is seeking for new applications for “post-soda lime” such as new marketable solutions or products (other than calcium fertilizers for agriculture), and launches a competition for best proposals in:

• New application areas for post-soda lime
• Process/technology for the conversion process
• Business Case

This Retrace dissemination event will be an opportunity for participants to find answers to how to achieve a systemic change that would support the transition to circular economy.