On 26 February, the Circular Economy Forum Austria and the KONTEXT Institute for Climate Issues welcomed over 140 participants to our webinar. The focus was on the question of how the circular economy can sustainably strengthen Austria as a business location. Under the moderation of Gregor Gluttig (CEO, Circular Economy Forum Austria), experts from science and practice discussed the promising potential and the necessary framework conditions for genuine circular models.
Host: Circular Economy Forum Austria & KONTEXT Institute for Climate Issues
Moderation: Gregor Gluttig (Board of Directors, Circular Economy Forum Austria)
Guests:
- Johanna Roniger & Katharina Rogenhofer (KONTEXT Institute)
- Berthold Kren (Saubermacher AG)
- Stefan Steinlechner (Wienerberger)
- Paul Niedl (Starlinger Group)
1st presentation of the KONTEX study: Potential for Austria as a business location
Johanna Roniger presented the results of the latest study, which focuses on the competitiveness and economic leverage of the circular economy - in particular recycling technologies. The three central sectors of plastics, metal and construction were analysed.
Key findings and figures:
- Massive economic stimulus: Exports of recycling technologies worth 2.7 billion euros can be realised in Austria. 2.2 billion euros in additional added value generate.
- Job creation: This potential goes hand in hand with the creation of around 20,000 additional jobs accompanied.
- Wide spread: The positive effects are not limited to the waste management industry, but also have a strong impact on the mechanical engineering, wholesale and various service sectors.
- Strong starting position: Austria is already among the top 3 in the European Eco Innovation Index and holds an above-average number of patents in the field of circular economy technologies (particularly in plastics recycling).
2. core topics of the panel discussion
Afterwards, representatives from pioneering companies discussed practical implementation and the necessary framework conditions.
Circular economy as a profitable business model
There was agreement that ecological motives alone are not enough. The circular economy must be a functioning, economic business model. Companies such as Saubermacher, Wienerberger and Starlinger (mechanical engineering for plastics recycling) are successfully managing this area by systematically utilising waste products as valuable secondary raw materials and selling corresponding systems worldwide.
Regionality vs. global supply chains
The importance of short supply chains was strongly emphasised.
- Limits of transport: Berthold Kren emphasised that the ecological and economic sense of recycling construction waste (e.g. concrete, bricks) ends at a transport distance of approx. 50 kilometres („the material is dead“).
- Regional self-sufficiency: Stefan Steinlechner referred to projects in Vienna in which excavated material from the underground railway flows directly into Wienerberger's brick production. The focus on regionality strengthens the local economy and significantly reduces CO2 emissions.
Political framework and reduction of bureaucracy
In order to leverage the potential, the panellists made clear demands on politicians:
- Enforcement instead of new regulations: Paul Niedl pointed out that sufficient EU legislation already exists in the plastics sector (e.g. the target of 25 1TP4 tonnes of recyclate in PET bottles, which actually applies for 2025). However, there is a lack of consistent enforcement and sanctions.
- Role model function of the public sector: In public procurement, circular products and life cycle costs must be prioritised by default (level playing field) in order to create stable lead markets.
- Modernisation of waste legislation: The current law often treats secondary raw materials less favourably than primary raw materials. In addition, valuable data on waste streams (e.g. in the EDM system) remains unutilised. Waste must not be bureaucratically branded as „bad“ per se when it is actually a raw material.
- Planning security through CO2 pricing: Katharina Rogenhofer emphasised the importance of long-term stable and predictable CO2 pricing (without a „stop-and-go“ policy) so that investments in resource-saving technologies are worthwhile for companies.
3. outlook for 2030: optimism and cooperation
The question of what the world should look like in 2030 was dominated by optimism and the will to cooperate.
The speakers agreed that no company can close the loop on its own. Networking is needed along the entire value chain (similar to the Circular Deals in the Netherlands). Disposers often act as a „cell fluid“ that connects producers and consumers.
Closing remarks (Katharina Rogenhofer): If we manage to value the raw materials available in Europe and keep them in circulation, we will become independent of global imports, create local jobs and maintain our quality of life while using significantly less energy.
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