For two days, the future of the circular economy was discussed at over 100 exhibition stands and with over 200 advisors. The focus was on circular design, sustainable materials, digital innovations, circular business models and new recycling technologies. Fraunhofer CCPE presented an interactive miniature wonderland of the circular economy at its status. Here, visitors could experience the material flows optimized by Fraunhofer CCPE in a replica CCPE world in everyday life. In addition, a demonstrator of circular design, an innovative child seat in mono-material construction, and the recycling cascade provided an opportunity for initial project discussions. Fraunhofer President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, Head of Institute Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Renner and other CCPE employees presented innovative approaches to the circular plastics economy. As spokesperson and moderator, Manfred Renner met with discussion partners from established companies and start-ups in various sessions.

"The response to the congress premiere was overwhelmingly positive: together with Messe Düsseldorf and the Circular Valley Foundation, we have succeeded in creating a platform that brings together important players on the way to a circular economy in order to exchange ideas and initiate joint projects," Manfred Renner concludes. "I am very excited to see what fruit these discussions will bear in the coming months and who we will see again or meet for the first time at the Circular Valley Convention 2026 on March 11 and 12

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka adds: "The Circular Valley Convention 2025 is a very good opportunity to bring Fraunhofer solutions from applied research and development to the market with companies. The mix of established companies, circular economy start-ups and research institutions provides the ideal environment to talk about the potential of chemical recycling, bio-based plastics and material cycles in the construction sector, for example. There will be a lively exchange of ideas at our exhibition stands and on the stages. I look forward to the first CVC 2025 becoming a good tradition - and us continuing to shape the transition to the circular economy together with the participants."