Category Archives: ToCoReRaM

ToCoReRaM Online Policy Exchange: Policy Brief for EU Decision-Makers

On October 5th, 2026, the ToCoReRaM Online Policy Exchange brought together policymakers and stakeholders at European and national level to discuss the project’s key findings and the resulting recommendations for supporting SMEs in Europe’s transition towards a circular economy.

The session presented the Policy Brief for EU Decision-Makers Shaping SME and Environmental Policy. It shows that many SMEs are willing to adopt circular principles but face technical, economic, regulatory, and IT-related barriers in practice. The recommendations include clear and harmonized regulatory frameworks, stronger market incentives for secondary raw materials, targeted SME support, and digital tools that translate regulatory requirements such as the ESPR into practical product-development decisions.

The exchange gave participants the opportunity to assess how feasible the proposed measures are in practice and to identify entry points for European and national policymaking, helping SMEs take on their role as drivers of Europe’s circular economy.

The policy brief is publicly available on www.designforrecovery.eu

ToCoReRaM: Final Conference at Circularity Days 2026

The ToCoReRaM project is entering its final phase – and we are pleased to invite you to the final project conference.

Join us on 20–21 May 2026 in Wolfsburg, Germany, where the conference will take place as part of the Circularity Days 2026.

The Circularity Days will bring together stakeholders from policy, industry, and academia, where the ToCoReRaM conference is embedded and where the final results of the project are discussed.

The agenda includes many interesting speakers and presentations and provides a platform for making new connections & exploring next steps towards more efficient and sustainable use of resources.

If you want to be part of our conference please contact deborah.huber[at]uni-graz.at.

ToCoReRaM International Workshop in Brussels – Report published

On 13 November 2025, the ToCoReRaM project — led by universities in Germany, Ireland, and Austria — hosted an international workshop at the Representation of the State of Lower Saxony in Brussels.

The project aims to develop practical tools that support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in implementing circular material strategies in line with the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

The workshop brought together representatives from industry, the European Commission, and academia. Initial research findings were presented, followed by interactive round-table discussions where participants shared perspectives on implications for business, policy, and future research.

The insights generated during the event provide valuable input for the development of the ToCoReRaM tool and highlight the importance of international collaboration in advancing sustainable product design and circularity across Europe.

The workshop report has been published and can be accessed here.

ToCoReRaM International Workshop in Brussels

On 13 November 2025, the ToCoReRaM project — led by universities in Germany, Ireland, and Austria — hosted an international workshop at the Representation of the State of Lower Saxony in Brussels.

The project aims to develop practical tools that support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in implementing circular material strategies in line with the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

The workshop brought together representatives from industry, the European Commission, and academia. Initial research findings were presented, followed by interactive round-table discussions where participants shared perspectives on implications for business, policy, and future research.

The insights generated during the event provide valuable input for the development of the ToCoReRaM tool and highlight the importance of international collaboration in advancing sustainable product design and circularity across Europe.

You can access the workshop results on www.designforrecovery.eu

Policy Workshop on Raw Material Recovery in Brussels – 13 November 2025

Organized within the ToCoReRaM-project (Tool for Complete Recovery of Raw Materials) a policy workshop will be held in Brussels on November 13.

The event brings together policymakers, industry representatives, and research institutions to discuss one of Europe’s most urgent challenge: how to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transition toward circular resources use and contribute meaningfully to the EU’s sustainability goals.

Key program points are:

  • First insights from SME survey and interviews conducted across Europe,
  • Concepts for practical tools to support raw material recovery,
  • Discussion of training needs for companies and customers,
  • Exploring the implementation of EU strategies such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the Digital Product Passport,
  • Engage participants in a high-level roundtable on how policy can best support SMEs in this transition

We believe this is a valuable opportunity to connect research, policy, and industry—and to explore concrete ways to support SMEs in becoming drivers of Europe’s future.

If you are interested in joining please contact deborah.huber[at]uni-graz.at