Case
Manufacturing,
Manufacturing
This case shows how CIRCO uses Chain Tracks to take important steps in connecting various links within product chains. The result? A closed chain through sustainable and well-thought-out reuse systems that prevent products from simply ending up in landfills at the end of their useful life.
CIRCO, partner of Circonnect
From furniture to mounting frames for solar panels-with Chain Tracks, our partner CIRCO puts entire product chains in motion. The goal? Prevent products from ending up in landfills at the end of their useful life by connecting chain partners, stimulating cooperation and setting up a sustainable reuse system together. Find out how this approach is applied to mounting frames for solar panels and what opportunities this offers for the future.
A circular economy requires closed chains. Therefore, CIRCO's Chain Track focuses on one question: how do we prevent a product from ending up in landfill at the end of its life?
"Thanks to our regular CIRCO Tracks, we have built an extensive network and know exactly which companies to bring together to achieve a closed chain. A Chain Track often builds on this. We started with about a dozen companies, but the group that wants to take initiative at the chain level for a circular economy continues to grow. More and more parties are discovering their role in the chain. Cooperation makes circular business more feasible and attractive." - Bas Hillerström, CIRCO Trainer.
Many different parties work in the solar industry, leading to a fragmented chain. Solar panels enter the market in various ways and also disappear again in various ways. This makes reuse a challenge. How do we ensure that companies become aware of alternative routes, instead of simply discarding products?
"We need to build a reuse chain nationwide. Putting products on the market is like a highway, but when they have to go back, it's a cart track. We need to work toward a highway for returning and reusing products," said Niels van Olffen, director of the ZonNext Foundation.
Luuk Eeftink of Sunbeam adds: "A well-functioning reuse chain requires cross-sector cooperation and clear agreements. You have to build systems in which you can both compete and cooperate and in which a revenue model is maintained."
Wondering how CIRCO sets up a Chain Track and what goals and challenges are involved? Watch the video below and get a behind-the-scenes look at the chain approach for solar panel mounting systems. Discover the process and hear from the CIRCO Trainer and stakeholders how they experience the collaboration and the impact of this approach in building a circular chain.
"That this method of collaboration within a chain works is shown by the number of circular chain initiatives that the CIRCO Chain Tracks have already produced. I still see many opportunities for the future. After all, this approach is not only suitable for solar panel mounting systems, but also for other products. We have already done it for solar panels and furniture, and are going to organize it for inverters as well. A Chain Track is a top starting point to set up circular chains and keep raw materials in the economy," says Bas Hillerström.
Want to take the next step towards reuse and circularity with your chain? Keep an eye on CIRCO 's agenda and sign up for one of their Tracks.
The circular economy does not arise by itself. CIRCO (a program of TKI-CLICKNL) focuses on getting a new market moving. CIRCO therefore activates - with the support of the government - entrepreneurs and creative professionals to (re)design products, services and business models in order to then do circular business.
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In the province of South Holland, we are active in the circular field, working closely with regional partners to establish and implement CIRCO Tracks.
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