CIRQUALITY OWL

CIRQUALITY OWL plus is an innovative project dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular economy in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) region. The project is funded by the European Union (ERDF) and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The main mission is to maximize resource use, minimize waste, and promote the reuse of materials and raw materials.

CIRQUALITY OWL plus focuses on several key areas to support the transformation to the Circular Economy:

• Qualification of Future Specialists and Managers: The project offers comprehensive qualification programs to prepare future specialists and managers for the requirements of the Circular Economy[2][3].

• Solutions for Circular Supply Chain Management (SSCM): It develops and implements innovative solutions for supply chain management to increase efficiency and sustainability in supply chains[2].

• Construction Shift to Circular Thinking and Economies: The project promotes the transition to circular construction and real estate concepts based on the reuse and recycling of materials[2].

• Future Waste and Circular Economy: CIRQUALITY OWL plus works on forward-looking concepts for waste and circular economy to sustainably shape regional resource use[2].

The project is deeply rooted in the regional economy and society and relies on a broad alliance of various stakeholders:

• Cross-Industry Collaboration: CIRQUALITY OWL plus brings together experts, drivers, and practitioners from industry innovation networks, business associations, municipalities, and research institutions to jointly develop circular concepts and test practical processes[2].

• Regional Partnerships: The project includes 11 partner organizations from OWL that work together to address current challenges. Partners include, among others, the Institute for Plastics Economy OWL, the University of Applied Sciences Ostwestfalen-Lippe, and the Food Processing Initiative e.V.[2].

• Knowledge Transfer and Practical Orientation: A central aspect of the project is knowledge transfer and the testing of practical concepts. Through workshops, events, and direct collaboration with industry, innovative solutions are developed and implemented[2][3].

Companies that join the Circular Economy through CIRQUALITY OWL plus can achieve numerous benefits:

• Independence from Volatile Raw Material Prices: By utilizing regional resources and reusing materials, companies can reduce their dependence on volatile raw material prices[3].

• Green Image and Marketing Advantages: A commitment to the Circular Economy can positively influence the company's image and lead to competitive advantages[3].

• Longer Product Lifespan and Customer Loyalty: Through service-oriented business models and the use of data on product lifespan, companies can build closer customer relationships and tailor products accordingly[3].

CIRQUALITY OWL plus is an important step towards a sustainable and circular economy in OWL. Through close collaboration with regional stakeholders and the development of practical solutions, the project contributes to making the regional economy future-proof and minimizing environmental impacts. It demonstrates that the transition to a Circular Economy is not only necessary but also economically sensible and forward-looking.

• 1 - https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/en/dialogue/existing-eu-platforms/cirquality-owl-plus-production-site-closes-loops
• 2 - https://www.cirqualityowl.de
• 3 - https://www.cirqualityowl.de/mehrwertebericht/
• 4 - https://iwkh.de/ueber-uns/mitgliederdatenbank