MATERIALS & RESOURCES
03/03/25 European Union’s Clean Industrial Deal
The European Commission has proposed a €100 billion investment under the EU Clean Industrial Deal to bolster domestic clean manufacturing and reduce energy costs. A key component of this initiative is the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, aimed at reducing feedstock costs and promoting recycling. This Act underscores the EU’s commitment to minimizing reliance on virgin materials by enhancing resource efficiency and supporting circular economy processes.
03/03/25 BG Planet Ark Circular Future Fund
Planet Ark and Boston Global have partnered to launch the BG Planet Ark Circular Future Fund, with an ambitious goal of raising $1 billion by 2030. This fund targets investments in businesses that deliver strong financial returns while promoting sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing the circular economy. The initiative aims to support projects that focus on waste reduction and the efficient use of resources, thereby decreasing the need for new material extraction.
03/03/25 Brother Industries’ Revised Environmental Vision
Brother Industries has updated its Environmental Vision 2050, setting a target to reduce the use of virgin materials in products by 25% by fiscal year 2030 compared to the fiscal year 2022 levels. This goal is to be achieved through the expansion of circular-economy-based businesses and materials recycling, reflecting a strategic move towards sustainable manufacturing practices that prioritize resource conservation.
03/03/25 Advancements in Rare Earth Metals Recycling
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, particularly within the Queen’s University Ionic Liquid Laboratories (QUILL), have developed innovative methods to recycle rare earth metals from end-of-life magnets using ionic liquids. This technology enables the recovery of high-purity rare earth elements, reducing the need for new extraction and supporting the development of a circular economy. The establishment of Ionic Technologies aims to scale up this recycling process both in the UK and globally.