After three years of collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange across Central Europe, the CIRCOTRONIC project has officially come to an end. What remains is more than a set of project results: a collection of practical tools, tested solutions, cooperation structures and strategic recommendations that can continue to support the circular transition of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) sector.
Bringing together research organisations, business support organisations, public authorities and companies from six Central European countries, CIRCOTRONIC developed and tested approaches to help SMEs become more resource-efficient, resilient and competitive. More than 150 small and medium-sized enterprises participated in project activities, helping to ensure that the solutions developed responded to real business needs and practical challenges.
The project demonstrated that circular transformation does not depend on a single solution. It requires practical tools and tested approaches for companies, effective support structures at regional and cross-border level, enabling policy frameworks, and greater awareness of the environmental impact of electronics.
Explore the results most relevant to you
For companies – practical tools and tested circular solutions
Companies looking to introduce circular approaches can access Practical tools for circular electronics, which brings together practical approaches, pilot experiences and recommendations, as well as the Inventory of Circular Economy Tools covering circular design, materials and recovery, and circular business models.
Explore the stories of Elektryka Morska and ELVEZ, two companies that worked with us throughout the project and tested circular solutions in practice. For more examples and lessons learned, explore Circular Transformation for Electrical and Electronic Equipment, which presents practical experiences and tested approaches that can inspire circular transformation in other companies.
For regional authorities and business support organisations – a model for cross-border support
The Circular NET-LAB – a cross-border support model for circular electronics builds on the experience of nine Regional Circular Labs established across Central Europe. It connects regional expertise and support structures, providing a framework for knowledge exchange, cooperation and continued support for the circular transition of the electronics sector.
Regional authorities and business support organisations can use this experience to explore how similar support structures and cross-border cooperation could be developed or adapted in their own regions.
For policymakers – strategic recommendations for circular electronics
The Action plan for circular electronics in Central Europe translates project experience into strategic recommendations for policymakers, public authorities and other organisations shaping the conditions for circular transformation.
It provides directions for strengthening circular economy policies, regional cooperation and support mechanisms for the electronics sector, helping decision-makers build on the lessons learned through CIRCOTRONIC.
For the general public and education – understanding electronic waste and circularity
The UNPLUGGED Virtual Exhibition explores electronic waste, resource use and circularity through design, storytelling and interactive experiences. It makes the challenges of the electronics sector accessible to a wider audience and can also serve as a resource for education and awareness-raising activities.
The project ends, the resources remain
Although CIRCOTRONIC has formally concluded, its results are designed to remain useful beyond the project lifetime. Companies can apply its tools and tested solutions; regional authorities and business support organisations can build on the Circular NET-LAB model; policymakers can use its strategic recommendations; and educators and the wider public can explore the challenges of electronic waste through UNPLUGGED.
All major project results, publications, pilot experiences and good practices remain available through the CIRCOTRONIC website and the resources linked above.
The CIRCOTRONIC partnership would like to thank all participating SMEs, associated organisations, stakeholders, experts and regional partners whose commitment and collaboration made this work possible. Together, they have created a foundation for continued cooperation and circular transformation in the European electronics sector.
Written by: Grit Ackerman, CCIS and Magdalena Małachowska, MD