Author: Arnes Biogradlija

Access to reliable information on hazardous chemicals remains a critical bottleneck for the circular economy. Globally, around 350,000 chemical substances are registered, yet the majority lack comprehensive data on their hazardous properties. Existing information is fragmented across databases, safety data sheets, and scientific literature, limiting its practical use for policymakers, industry, and civil society. Addressing this knowledge gap, Formas, Sweden’s government research council for sustainable development, has awarded SEK 3 million to the TRACE AI project—Transparent and Accessible Information for a Chemically Safe Circular Economy—coordinated by the University of Gothenburg through FRAM, the Centre for Future Chemical Risk Assessment and…

Major financial institutions directed over $1.6 trillion toward fossil fuel companies between 2021 and 2024, funding an industry launching more than 2,300 new oil, gas, and coal projects during a period when climate scientists and energy analysts maintain such investments should have ceased entirely, reports FTM. The financing pattern contradicts the International Energy Agency’s 2021 assessment that new fossil fuel funding must stop to maintain any realistic pathway to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. Analysis from CarbonBombs.org — a collaboration between four environmental NGOs—reveals these new projects, combined with existing “carbon bombs” generating over one gigatonne of…

The University of Newcastle has spotlighted scalable waste reduction and resource efficiency solutions by awarding three $10,000 grants through its annual Circular Economy Grand Challenge. Administered by the University’s Integrated Innovation Network (I2N), the initiative unites students, academics, alumni, industry partners, and staff to tackle material and carbon management challenges with both local and global implications. Among the awarded projects, Every Blade Counts addresses a persistent issue in renewable energy: end-of-life wind turbine blades. Traditionally destined for landfill, these composite structures represent thousands of tonnes of waste annually. The project proposes converting retired blades into reusable materials, providing a commercial…

Nigeria’s rapid urbanization and growing consumption patterns have brought economic opportunity alongside persistent environmental challenges. The country generates roughly 2.5 million tones of plastic waste annually, yet less than 10% is effectively recycled. Across West Africa, over 80% of plastic waste is mismanaged, creating significant risks for public health, biodiversity, and coastal economies. Amid these pressures, private-sector-driven initiatives are beginning to reshape the nation’s recycling ecosystem. The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Nigeria’s first Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), exemplifies this approach. By promoting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), FBRA ensures that producers and importers take active responsibility for post-consumer packaging.…

Ecolomondo Corporation’s entry into the European market through a joint venture with Spain’s Aresol Renovables marks a pivotal moment for tire recycling technologies in the EU. The agreement formalizes the creation of Ecolomondo EU, headquartered in Spain, which will oversee the construction of four end-of-life tire (ELT) pyrolysis plants using the company’s Thermal Decomposition Process (TDP) technology. The first facility, slated for Valencia, will serve as a benchmark for scaling similar projects across Europe. Europe currently generates around 3.6 million metric tons of end-of-life tires annually, with less than half of that fully recycled into materials with new market value.…

Seychelles has emerged as a global reference point for small island nations tackling plastic pollution, achieving a 90 percent collection rate for PET bottles and diverting more than 400 million units from landfills and natural environments. This success is documented in a new UNDP case study, Beating Plastic Pollution: Key Insights and Lessons from Seychelles’ Deposit-Refund Scheme, launched during the Africa Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) 2025 Annual Meeting. Plastic pollution presents severe environmental, economic, and social challenges for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where waste management infrastructure is often limited. Deposit-refund schemes (DRS), in which consumers pay a small deposit…

Jordan has launched a new initiative to tackle plastic pollution in its food and beverage sector, targeting the elimination of single-use plastics and the reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Jordan’s Ministry of Environment unveiled the “Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution” project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which aims to cut 5,000 tons of plastic waste and 17,000 tons of GHG emissions over the next five years. Dr. Ayman Suleiman, Minister of Environment, highlighted that public–private partnerships are central to the country’s transition toward a circular economy, emphasizing the project’s role…

Georgia is set to accelerate its circular economy transition through a new EUR 4.4 million initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by a UN-led consortium. The two-year programme (2025–2027) brings together UNDP, UNIDO, the Environment Agency Austria (UBA), and Sweden’s trade association for waste management and recycling, Avfall Sverige, to strengthen national systems for resource efficiency and waste management. The initiative targets systemic gaps in Georgia’s circularity. Current figures highlight the scale of the challenge: the country generates roughly 23 million tonnes of waste annually, with domestic material consumption of 13.7 tonnes per capita—approaching the EU average—but achieves…

The countdown has begun: in just four months, Hyvolution Paris 2026 will open its doors for a special anniversary edition, celebrating 10 years of leadership in driving the hydrogen transition. Since its launch in 2016, Hyvolution has established itself as the international reference event for the hydrogen sector. A European pioneer, the event now brings together companies, experts, and institutions from over 60 countries, confirming its position as a global platform connecting hydrogen ecosystems. Since the start of its international development, the number of foreign visitors has tripled at each edition, while the number of represented countries has more than…

Siegwerk’s recent acquisition of Dutch specialty chemicals producer Allinova marks a strategic deepening of its technological base—particularly in water-based dispersions, wax emulsions, and polymer adhesives—key materials driving recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging systems. The deal reinforces Siegwerk’s commitment to scale sustainable solutions through its Circular Economy Coatings (CEC) division. Founded in 2005 in Hengelo, the Netherlands, Allinova has built a reputation for formulating water-based dispersions and specialty additives that improve barrier and sealing performance—two of the biggest technical bottlenecks in recyclable paper and film packaging. Siegwerk’s acquisition strengthens its end-to-end offering, allowing converters and material suppliers to address recyclability challenges…