What are the latest news in the circular economy?
Download our beautiful pitch about the circular economy
In our circular economy deck, you will find everything you need to understand the market
This blog post covers the latest circular economy market news and explains why each story matters for investors and entrepreneurs.
We constantly update this circular economy market news page so readers can follow the most important moves in recycling, reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and circular supply chains.
The circular economy market is moving fast because companies, governments, and consumers are all looking for better ways to keep materials in use.
And if you want to better understand this new industry, you can download our pitch covering the circular economy.
Insights
- Battery circular economy deals are getting very large, with Nth Cycle signing a $1.1 billion recycled-metals agreement while Ascend Elements entered Chapter 11.
- The circular economy market is no longer only about recycling, because right-to-repair, traceability software, refill packaging, and product design are becoming major growth areas.
- Large industrial companies are moving circular economy projects inside core operations, as BMW, Renault, Deere, and Aveda all made circularity more strategic.
- Public funding still matters in the circular economy market, especially for capital-heavy projects like EV battery recycling plants and critical mineral recovery facilities.
- Collection remains one of the biggest circular economy bottlenecks, which is why Desjardins using bank branches for battery collection is more important than it first looks.
- The circular economy market is seeing both winners and stress, because long-term offtake deals and bankruptcies appeared in the same quarter.
- Automotive circularity is becoming a strong submarket, with BMW, Renault, Deere, Nth Cycle, Altilium, and Ascend Elements all appearing in recent circular economy news.
- Textile recycling still needs credibility after Renewcell’s collapse, so the Circulose restart is a key signal for circular fashion investors and founders.
- Policy is pushing the circular economy market forward, with Ireland’s 2026 to 2028 strategy pointing to more repair, reuse, and circular business model support.
This chart, featured in our circular economy deck, shows why Back Market is winning in the circular economy
Summary table of the latest news in the circular economy
We define the circular economy market as all activities that keep products and materials in use for longer and return them safely to the economy or nature instead of sending these products and materials to waste.
We include circular design, sharing and product-as-a-service models, repair and refurbishment, remanufacturing, high-quality recycling, bio-based and compostable materials, regenerative agriculture, and the digital, logistics, consulting and financial services that enable these loops.
We exclude purely linear “take-make-waste” activities, traditional waste disposal such as landfilling and non-recovering incineration, and generic sustainability actions that do not materially change how resources and materials flow through the economy.market_definition
You can also read our detailed analysis to understand what are the quarterly updates in the circular economy.
| News | Category | Exact date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desjardins turns Quebec bank branches into battery drop-off points | Partnerships | April 15, 2026 | Desjardins |
| Ascend Elements files for Chapter 11 | Failures | April 9, 2026 | Verita Global |
| Altilium wins UK backing for its first commercial EV battery refinery | Fundraisings | April 9, 2026 | Altilium |
| Deere settles a major right-to-repair case | Litigation | April 6, 2026 | PR Newswire |
| BMW makes vehicle circularity a dedicated industrial center | New tech and infrastructure | March 26, 2026 | BMW Group PressClub |
| Eurokey builds one of the UK’s largest plastic recycling plants | New tech and infrastructure | March 26, 2026 | Eurokey |
| Renault adds EV batteries to its circular AutoLOOP platform | New tech and infrastructure | March 25, 2026 | Renault Group Media |
| Nth Cycle signs a huge recycled-metals deal with Trafigura | Partnerships | March 15, 2026 | Nth Cycle |
| WEF says circularity has entered the boardroom | Opinions | March 12, 2026 | World Economic Forum |
| Aveda launches global refill packaging with AeroFlexx | Product launches | February 26, 2026 | The Estée Lauder Companies |
| Ireland launches a national circular economy strategy | Regulations & Policies | February 24, 2026 | gov.ie |
| Circulose restarts the former Renewcell textile-recycling plant | Company updates | February 16, 2026 | Circulose |
Latest news of the circular economy
Desjardins turned everyday bank branches into battery collection points
Partnerships
What happened?
Desjardins signed an agreement with Call2Recycle to collect batteries in Quebec bank branches. The circular economy partnership makes battery recycling easier because people can drop batteries during normal branch visits.
When was it?
Desjardins announced the circular economy partnership on April 15, 2026.
Why is it big news?
Battery recycling often fails when collection is weak, so Desjardins is helping the circular economy market solve a very practical problem.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, this shows that distribution networks can be as valuable as recycling technology.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, this shows that strong collection partnerships can create better feedstock for recycling businesses.
As this chart shows, and as featured in our circular economy deck, search interest in eco-friendly brands has been growing steadily
Ascend Elements entered Chapter 11 and showed how hard battery recycling can be
Failures
What happened?
Ascend Elements filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company was one of the best-known names in battery recycling, so the filing is a major warning for the circular economy market.
When was it?
Ascend Elements entered Chapter 11 on April 9, 2026.
Why is it big news?
The Ascend Elements case shows that circular economy companies can have strong technology but still struggle with funding, feedstock, customers, and timing.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, this is a reminder to check project finance, customer contracts, and working capital before investing.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, this shows that the best circular technology still needs a strong commercial and financing plan.
This chart, featured in our circular economy deck, compares the main business model options for refurbished tech sellers
Altilium won £18.5 million to scale a UK EV battery recycling facility
Fundraisings
What happened?
Altilium secured £18.5 million in UK backing to scale EV battery recycling. The circular economy project is designed to recover lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite from used electric vehicle batteries.
When was it?
Altilium announced the circular economy funding on April 9, 2026.
Why is it big news?
The Altilium funding shows that governments are still willing to support circular economy infrastructure for critical minerals.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, public funding can reduce risk for large recycling and refining projects.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, this shows that governments want local circular supply chains for battery materials.
This market map, featured in our circular economy deck, highlights top companies and startups in the circular economy
Deere settled a major right-to-repair case and kept repair access in focus
Litigation
What happened?
Deere reached a settlement in US repair services antitrust litigation. Deere said Deere would continue supporting access to repair tools, manuals, and diagnostic software.
When was it?
Deere announced the settlement on April 6, 2026.
Why is it big news?
Right-to-repair is becoming a major circular economy issue because repair access can keep expensive equipment in use for longer.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, the Deere settlement points to growing opportunities in repair software, diagnostics, and parts networks.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, this shows that closed repair markets may become more open over time.
This chart, featured in our circular economy deck, shows the revenue mix across customer segments in the circular economy
BMW made vehicle circularity a dedicated industrial center
New tech and infrastructure
What happened?
BMW Group announced a new Competence Centre Circularity at the Wackersdorf site. The circular economy center will focus on vehicle dismantling, recycling, and industrial circularity.
When was it?
BMW Group announced the circularity center on March 26, 2026.
Why is it big news?
BMW Group is treating vehicle circularity as a core industrial capability, not as a side sustainability project.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, automaker demand could create opportunities in sorting, dismantling, materials data, and secondary materials.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, carmakers will need practical tools that make dismantling and recycling faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
This chart, featured in our circular economy deck, shows annual venture capital investment in circular economy startups
Eurokey started building one of the UK’s largest plastic recycling plants
New tech and infrastructure
What happened?
Eurokey announced a £20 million plastic recycling plant in Corby. The circular economy facility is meant to help supermarkets turn used plastic into new packaging.
When was it?
Eurokey announced the plastic recycling plant on March 26, 2026.
Why is it big news?
The Eurokey project adds local recycling capacity, which can reduce dependence on exported waste and make packaging loops more reliable.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, local recycling infrastructure can benefit from retailer demand and policy pressure.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, new plants need feedstock, logistics, sorting, quality control, and customer relationships.
This chart, featured in our circular economy deck, shows annual funding in circular economy startups
Renault added EV battery collection and traceability to AutoLOOP
New tech and infrastructure
What happened?
Renault Group’s circular unit, The Future is NEUTRAL, expanded the AutoLOOP digital platform to EV battery collection. The circular economy platform now supports battery collection and traceability.
When was it?
Renault Group announced the AutoLOOP expansion on March 25, 2026.
Why is it big news?
Battery circularity needs software and traceability because batteries must be tracked safely and compliantly across many partners.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, this points to demand for circular infrastructure software and compliance tools.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, regulation and traceability needs can create strong demand for practical digital products.
In our circular economy deck, we tell you what to focus on
Nth Cycle signed a $1.1 billion recycled-metals agreement with Trafigura
Partnerships
What happened?
Nth Cycle signed a 10-year offtake agreement with Trafigura for recycled battery metals. The circular economy agreement is valued at $1.1 billion and supports expansion in the United States and Europe.
When was it?
Nth Cycle announced the recycled-metals agreement on March 15, 2026.
Why is it big news?
This is one of the clearest signs that large buyers are now committing serious money to recycled critical minerals.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, long-term offtake contracts can reduce customer demand risk for recycling companies.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, this shows that reliable recycled material supply can unlock very large commercial contracts.
In our circular economy deck, we identify pain points entrepreneurs should prioritize
World Economic Forum said circularity is moving into the boardroom
Opinions
What happened?
The World Economic Forum argued that circularity is becoming a business strategy issue. The circular economy is increasingly linked to resilience, supply security, cost savings, and industrial competitiveness.
When was it?
The World Economic Forum published the circular economy opinion piece on March 12, 2026.
Why is it big news?
The circular economy market may attract bigger budgets when executives see circularity as strategy, not only as sustainability.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, boardroom attention can turn circular projects into larger and more serious buying decisions.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, your pitch should explain resilience, cost savings, and supply security in simple business terms.
In our circular economy deck, we dentify risks investors and builders need to be aware of
Aveda brought refill packaging into global prestige beauty
Product launches
What happened?
Aveda launched refillable packaging with AeroFlexx across global prestige beauty. The circular economy packaging format uses much less plastic than standard rigid bottles.
When was it?
Aveda announced the refill packaging launch on February 26, 2026.
Why is it big news?
Refill packaging becomes more meaningful when premium brands use circular design without asking customers to accept a worse experience.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, refill formats could move from niche tests into premium consumer categories.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, this shows that circular packaging must combine lower material use with strong customer experience.
In our circular economy deck, we ensure you have the latest information
Ireland launched a 2026 to 2028 strategy for faster circular economy adoption
Regulations & Policies
What happened?
Ireland launched a Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy for 2026 to 2028. The strategy supports repair, reuse, circular business models, and higher circular material use.
When was it?
Ireland published the circular economy strategy on February 24, 2026.
Why is it big news?
National circular economy strategies can shape grants, procurement, regulation, and business support programs.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, policy targets can create demand for companies that help governments and businesses meet circular goals.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, public strategies can point to future customer needs, grants, and compliance budgets.
In our circular economy deck, we like to quantify things to make things easier to understand
Circulose restarted the former Renewcell textile-recycling plant
Company updates
What happened?
Circulose restarted commercial-scale production at the Ortviken plant in Sundsvall, Sweden. The facility was formerly linked to Renewcell, one of the best-known textile recycling stories in the circular economy market.
When was it?
Circulose announced the restart on February 16, 2026.
Why is it big news?
The restart gives textile-to-textile recycling a needed credibility boost after earlier market disappointment.
Why should you care?
If you’re an investor in the circular economy, distressed circular assets can become interesting when new operators improve the commercial plan.
If you’re an entrepreneur in the circular economy, this shows that demand commitments and customer trust matter as much as recycling technology.
Related blog posts
- The most recent developments in the circular economy
- How strong is fundraising in the circular economy right now?
- What is the real size of the circular economy?
- How funding activity has changed in the circular economy
- What are the latest fundraising trends in the circular economy?
- All the funding deals in the circular economy
- A complete list of business models in the circular economy
- Which startups have raised the most funding in the circular economy?
- Which startups are the most valued in the circular economy?
