CIRCO Hub Bangladesh: the newest member
Earlier this year, CIRCO brought its proven method to Bangladesh. With financial support from RVO, CIRCO Hub host LightCastle was able to set up a new Hub in the country. This expands the global CIRCO Hub network and enables entrepreneurs in Bangladesh to receive support in (re)designing their products, services, and business models with circularity at the core.
Opening a new Hub also involves training local trainers. At the beginning of January, Programme Manager Pieter van Os and trainer Nattinee Dora Sae Ho from Thailand travelled to Bangladesh to deliver a Train-the-Trainer session.
The Train-the-Trainer programme combines a theoretical workshop with practical experience during a CIRCO Track, enabling trainers in Bangladesh to independently facilitate CIRCO Tracks in the future. Ten professionals from diverse backgrounds, including academia, business, and the development sector, participated in the programme, bringing expertise in circular design and business transformation.
Curious about the upcoming Tracks in Bangladesh and the developments at this Hub? You can find more information on their website.
Ready to launch: international Value Chain-Track
This year, we continue building collective return systems through CIRCO Value Chain-Tracks. On 10 February, the very first international Value Chain-Track, Energy Storage Systems, will kick off.
The demand for batteries for electric vehicles, e-bikes and stationary energy storage systems is growing rapidly. As a result, the need for critical raw materials is increasing, while their availability is shrinking.
That’s why we are organising this international Value Chain-Track together with efa – Effizienz-Agentur NRW, host of the CIRCO Hub in Germany. Cross-border collaboration is central. We aim to connect companies in Germany and the Netherlands so they can join forces to set up return systems. Since batteries are produced in large quantities and across many sectors, it’s efficient for neighbouring countries to collaborate on this.
CIRCO method in action in China
In January, CIRCO trainer and sector expert for construction and manufacturing, Jeannette Levels, traveled to China to demonstrate how the CIRCO method can be applied in the construction sector.
In Hong Kong, she visited the CIRCO Hub, where she developed three new Tracks together with local trainers. She also conducted a training for 16 architects, structural engineers, and developers from the Hong Kong Housing Authority, which plans to deliver 286,000 new homes in the coming years. Topics included design for reuse of structural components, adaptive façade maintenance to extend building lifespans, the use of native trees in design, and modular kitchens and bathrooms.
During her second stop in Guangzhou, Jeannette led a session for over 80 architects. The session generated interaction around circular business models and the collection and organisation of environmental data and product passports.
Finally, in Shanghai, she gave a demo on value retention for a broad audience interested in applying the CIRCO method in the construction sector. Overall, this trip to China was incredibly impactful.
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