24 March 2025
Nieuws
0 reacties
11x viewed
The urgency is great: increasingly stringent laws and regulations, rising commodity prices and an increasing demand for sustainable products are forcing companies to think about circular business. Those who do not start now will soon fall behind the competition and miss out on opportunities for innovation and growth.
To support SME entrepreneurs in the Keyport region and North Limburg in the transition to circular entrepreneurship, Keyport and Crossroads are launching the project 'Circular Chain Power'. This initiative helps companies develop circular business models through knowledge sharing, collaboration and practical guidance. The project is primarily focused on the manufacturing, logistics and food and agribusiness sectors, in which many family businesses are active.
Why circular business?
Circular business offers companies not only the opportunity to operate more sustainably, but also to remain future-proof. Yet for many SMEs, implementing circular innovations proves challenging. Factors such as dependence on a small number of customers and suppliers, limited financial resources and minimal innovation expertise make innovation difficult. As a result, many companies stick with existing products and processes, even though they see opportunities to do circular business.
'Circular Chain Power' helps entrepreneurs meet these challenges by connecting them with relevant partners and guiding them in developing new circular business models. Here, Route Circulair, an experienced circular consulting firm, plays a central role as facilitator and process guide.
The power of chain cooperation
.A successful transition to circularity requires collaboration throughout the chain. Route Circulair therefore organizes closed meetings where entrepreneurs, suppliers and customers can share their challenges and ideas in a confidential setting. Working together from a shared impact interest creates a solid foundation for innovation and sustainable growth.
Diversity in the chain is an important factor here. By involving companies, knowledge institutions, governments and civil society organizations, different perspectives are brought together, creating innovative and integrated solutions. The approach of Route Circulair is also action-oriented: entrepreneurs not only work together from shared interests, but also take concrete steps to achieve circular goals.
For whom is the project intended?
The project targets SMEs with 50 to 150 employees, although smaller companies (20-50 employees) can also participate. Companies with less than 20 employees will in principle not be included, unless they and their suppliers show a strong motivation to actively contribute to the knowledge sessions. The aim is to achieve a balanced distribution of participants from the Keyport region and North Limburg.
What can participants expect?
The program of 'Circular Chain Power' runs for 17 months and offers entrepreneurs a structured path to identify and exploit circular opportunities. This is done through six work packages:
- Situation Analysis - Gaining insight into the current chain and circular opportunities.
- Recruitment & Communication - Connecting and enthusing participants and chain partners.
- Circular Customization - Individual guidance for company-specific circular steps.
- Knowledge sessions - Interactive meetings where experiences and knowledge are shared.
- Final presentation & return day - Evaluation of results achieved and next steps.
- Final report & communication - Documentation of insights and results for further scaling up.
Part of a broader circular strategy
'Circular Chain Power' is part of Keyport's implementation program Circularity, which guides entrepreneurs from awareness to developing concrete circular concepts. The project is specifically intended for companies that do not want to wait, but want to take steps toward a circular future now.
With this initiative Keyport, together with Crossroads and Route Circulair, is taking an important step in the transition to a more sustainable and resilient SME. Entrepreneurs who want to participate in 'Circular Chain Power' can sign up soon and thus contribute to a circular economy where cooperation and innovation go hand in hand.