CIRCO Hub Limburg: on the road to circular enterprise

Sustainability gets a lot of attention within LIOF. Charles Mevis is Business Developer and member of the Transition Team Circularity. In addition, he is program manager of several initiatives, including LimburgToekomstbestendig.

'CIRCO tracks are a few consecutive workshops to help companies with circular business. This can be about a new business model, but also about a new or modified product or service. Each CIRCO track starts with a bit of inspiration and stimulation to start doing circular business. For each track we offer three workshops, which we get to work on together. At the end of the track you have a concrete plan of action for making your company circular. And in most cases you have already done a first implementation.'

 

The tracks originate from CIRCO Hub Limburg, of which LIOF and Rabobank are the initiators. What is the goal?

'Ultimately to inspire and stimulate more circular activity in Limburg. Rabobank and LIOF are the organizations that provide support, as part of our regular work. Both parties are committed to a more sustainable Limburg, in which circularity plays an important role. Based on the CIRCO method, we help entrepreneurs during the track to determine their circular ambitions and put them into practice.'

 

Two new tracks are starting this fall. Which ones are they?

 

CIRCO Track Horticultural Residual Flows

On 15 September, the CIRCO Track Horticultural Waste Streams will start, especially for companies in the horticultural supply chain. There are opportunities here to become more sustainable and thus to make your company future-proof. One example is the reduction of waste streams. Cooperation in the horticultural chain is essential for sustainability and economic stability and growth. This calls for new products, services and new business models;

CIRCO Track business opportunities for sustainability

'The second, CIRCO Track business opportunities for sustainability, will start on October 5. This track is fairly generic, but specific to business parks in Sittard-Geleen. In a 3-day workshop we help you on your way with circular entrepreneurship. Taking steps towards sustainability requires different products, services, materials and business models. But how do you make this concrete? Unique to this program is that you will do it together with other companies from the region.'

'Our aim is to do 4 to 6 tracks a year. Per track we want to have at least 8 companies participating. For example, we are currently setting up a CIRCO track on food waste in the hospitality industry. This is a hot topic at the moment. This track will start in early 2023.'

 

Which companies can participate?

In fact all small and medium sized companies in Limburg that develop products or services and want to do this in a circular way. We can also set up tracks for chain partners, a specific sector or a relevant theme.

The choice of which track we offer is determined by what entrepreneurs in our region need or what their market demands. Sometimes a track is very specific to a product group or sector. Or it may be very generic, but geographically limited. Together we look at which CIRCO track fits in well with your circular ambitions.