Innovation Booster on circularity publishes guide

(CONNECT) The consortium of the Innosuisse Innovation Booster Applied Circular Sustainability, which is based at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, can look back on a successful year: between 2021 and 2024, the booster helped more than 50 Swiss start-ups and established companies to switch from linear to circular business models. Ten main obstacles to a circular economy were identified in 31 workshops with 50 pioneers of the circular economy. They range from regulatory challenges and material innovations to new business models.

Each of these hurdles is named in a summarized report available for download. It then briefly outlines which two to three companies have tackled the respective topic and with what motivation, and how the Innovation Booster has contributed to overcoming the obstacles.

For example, Mammut was involved in the working group "Hurdle 7: Proof of circularity". The aim of the manufacturer of outdoor clothing and sports equipment is to make its climbing ropes 100 percent circular. According to the report, Mammut developed a fundamental understanding in the booster that a strong and competent partner network might be necessary to achieve 100 percent circularity. The booster was therefore tasked with finding a partner for recycling and developing expertise in return logistics.

At the end of the presentation of each hurdle, the brochure summarizes in a hypothesis what is necessary to overcome the respective hurdle. "We hope," reads the introduction to this brochure, "that our insights will provide useful knowledge for current and future circular enthusiasts to realize the transition from linear to circular economy, politics and society in Switzerland." ce/mm