Building circular chains together: Manufacturing Meetup 2025

Woerden, June 25 - The Greenhouse overflowed with energy, insights and connection during the Maakindustrie Meetup. More than 130 participants from over 100 organizations came together with one shared goal: a circular manufacturing industry that contributes to a strategically strong and sustainable economy. If one thing became clear, it is that we will only make that circular transition happen if we do it together - keep doing it together.

Circular transition requires collective action

With that clear call, moderator Pieter van Os (Circonnect Program Manager) opened the program; this applies not only to government and business, but precisely to organizations throughout the chain.

The development of the roadmaps shows what that looks like in practice: for each priority product group, parties work in so-called product teams on concrete, feasible actions. The approach for those roadmaps is programmatic, according to three phases: Initiate, Ideate and Implement. The meeting was entirely devoted to the second phase - the concretization of ideas - with an eye for feasibility and support within the sector.

Throughout the program, seeds were planted for the next phase: doing. Representatives from business, government and knowledge institutions shared their knowledge and experiences, thought about next steps in the circular transition and actively worked on the roadmaps for the product groups that are crucial for a sustainable and strategically strong economy in the Netherlands.

Commodities as a strategic playing field

Joost Nuijten (Ministry of Economic Affairs) outlined the bigger picture: the increasing dependence on critical raw materials - and semi-finished products! - poses a risk to the Netherlands' resilience and earning power.

According to Nuijten, the solution lies in a combination of policy measures and corporate action. Among the responses to this strategic vulnerability, Nuijten explained the launch of the Dutch Materials Observatory, the development of materials dossiers and the commitment to a national exploration of raw materials. His appeal to business was clear: cooperate actively so that knowledge is built and we can jointly mitigate the risks.

Circular economy as an enabler

Robert van Beek (FME / CMI Foundation) discussed the global battle for raw materials and the role that Europe - and the Netherlands - plays in it. According to him, circular economy is not an end goal, but a strategic means: to reduce environmental pressure, retain economic value and increase the security of supply of raw materials.

For companies, this means: look not only at individual products or processes, but at the entire value chain. Only then can we truly realize the energy and material transition.

Case studies: system change in action

The practical cases showed that system change is not only necessary, but actually possible. Nina Vielen-Kallio presented a case for Offshore Wind. An outcome of the CIRCO Track on offshore wind, led by AYOP and ECHT. Under the title Bridge of Europe, a feasible and economically viable system for national coordination of circular decommissioning and processing is being worked on. Goal: reduce costs, reduce CO₂ emissions, keep materials in Europe and reduce chain risks.

Niels van Olffen presented a practical case for solar PV, with the ZonNext Foundation as the driving force. As the world's first "orphanage" for solar panels, the foundation ensures that used solar installations are given a second life. This prevents waste, stimulates renewable energy and creates jobs for people distanced from the labor market. The next step: setting up a nationwide reuse system. ZonNext started with collection of solar panels, now also mounting systems. In July, the CIRCO Chain Track will be launched for PV inverters. One collection system, one counter!

In the breakouts, the transition becomes tangible

Within the manufacturing industry, several product groups are essential for a future-proof economy. During six breakout sessions, participants worked on follow-up roadmaps for different priority product groups.

From climate systems to electrolysers and from mechanical engineering to offshore wind: best practices were shared everywhere, bottlenecks identified and collaborations explored. The dynamics were tangible - the roadmaps that are now in full development provide direction, stimulate innovation and make cooperation concrete.

Accelerating together

The Manufacturing Meetup demonstrated the power of meeting. Not just as a place for exchange, but as an engine for concrete cooperation. Participants went home with new insights, practical tools and relevant connections to get started right away.

The message was clear: the route to a circular economy requires action

- And we put those together.

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The Manufacturing Meetup 2025 was organized by Circonnect in cooperation with Circular Manufacturing, FME, NRK, Koninklijke Metaalunie, CIRCO and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Photos by Coen Koppens