#Recycling / Circular Economy

2025-03-13

Advanced Recycling Conference 2025 – Shaping the future of the circular economy

Closing the loop by setting the stage for recycling innovation at Europe’s largest event on advanced recycling technologies. Call for abstracts is now open.

The Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2025 is setting the stage for innovation. Being the leading event in its field, ARC is renowned for its unique blend of hands-on recycling solutions and cutting-edge research in advanced recycling technologies. Taking place on November 19-20 in Cologne, Germany, and online, ARC 2025 continues to be the benchmark for innovation in recycling. As the industry faces increasing pressure, ambitious EU targets and evolving market demands, ARC 2025 offers a vital platform for industry leaders, researchers, investors, and policymakers to explore practical solutions and visionary concepts.

Researchers and industry professionals are invited to share their latest achievements by submitting abstracts by 31 July 2025 and present groundbreaking work to a global audience of recycling experts. Abstract submission is open via https://advanced-recycling.eu/call-for-abstracts/.

ARC 2025 will cover a wide range of technologies, including extrusion, dissolution, solvolysis, enzymolysis, pyrolysis, and many more such as pre- and post-treatment technologies (e.g. sorting/identification and upgrading), digital solutions (e.g. utilisation of AI, blockchain), and life cycle assessments. With a focus on fostering partnerships and effective value chains, ARC 2025 provides ample opportunities for networking among technology providers, related industries, waste management companies, brands, investors, policymakers, and scientists.

Conference highlights

ARC has established itself as the go-to conference for those seeking insights into both practical applications and forward-thinking research in advanced recycling. The event will delve into crucial topics such as optimal technology selection for various waste streams, methodologies for evaluating environmental impact, and emerging technologies with potential areas of application. A dedicated session on policy will discuss framework conditions necessary to foster investments in this field.

Registration and early bird discount

On-site and online registration for ARC 2025 is now open, offering a 20% early bird discount for those who register promptly and pre 16 July 2025.

Registration options are available at https://advanced-recycling.eu/registration/.

The updated poster on biodegradable Polymers in various environments has been released

As part of the PerPlacsBio project, nova-Institute has updated its popular poster on the biodegradability of polymers in different environments. The updated version reflects current standards, certifications and the latest scientific findings. The poster can be used to assess biodegradable alternatives for use in agriculture and forestry, and it is now available in German for the first time.

Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 to showcase innovations – Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts is now open for the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2026, taking place on 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany, and online. Europe’s leading platform for advanced recycling brings together hands-on solutions and cutting-edge research on recycling technologies for various waste streams like plastics, polymers, textiles or automotive, highlighting progress towards a circular renewable carbon economy.

AI Circular Economy Conference 2026 fuels innovation at the intersection of AI and Circular Economy

The AI Circular Economy Conference 2026, organised by nova-Institute, brought together 116 participants from 15 countries in Cologne and online to explore the transformation of the chemical and materials industry supported and accelerated by artificial intelligence. During the two-day event, leading experts from industry, research, start-ups and the investment community discussed how AI can maximise the potential of renewable carbon creating efficient circular value chains. The conference featured 24 presentations and multiple panel discussions, highlighting the growing convergence of digital technologies and circular material systems. It demonstrated how artificial intelligence is progressing from the experimental stage to real industrial implementation within the circular economy.

Pioneer of the first hour: Michael Carus steps down after more than 30 years from nova-Institute’s Management

After more than three decades at the helm, founder and CEO Michael Carus is set to step down as head of the Renewable Carbon division on 1 March 2026. Lars Börger as the new CEO, will take over this key position of the nova-Institute together with COO Linda Engel, while Carus will remain with the research and consulting company as a senior advisor and shareholder. This change takes place after a one-year transition phase, as planned.

Industrial scale meets verified governance: RE&UP is now B Corp™ certified

RE&UP, the circular-tech transforming global textile waste into high-volume Next-Gen materials, has officially become a Certified B Corporation™. The milestone establishes the industrial recycler among a select group of manufacturing infrastructure providers verified as meeting B Lab Standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Recover™ and Ünteks Group partner to scale recycled cotton in knitwear

Recover(TM), a global producer of low‐impact, high‐quality recycled cotton fiber, announces a new partnership with Ünteks Group, a vertically integrated textile manufacturer based in Turkey. The collaboration focuses on the development of circular knit fabrics and garments, combining Recover’s recycled cotton fiber with Ünteks Group’s integrated capabilities across knitting, dyeing, printing, and garment production.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.