News

published on 08.04.2026

Launch of the second funding phase

On March 24 and 25, 2026, we had the opportunity to support the kick-off event of the second funding phase “Digital Technologies as a Lever for the Circular Economy” at the Digital Technologies Forum—from the opening session to the panels and workshops.

State Secretary Dr. Rolf-Dieter Jungk presents the project certificate to Andreas Weinberger (roeren).
Also present: consortium partners Vincent Schröttle (iwb) and Adarsha Kanchana (DEUTZ AG).

In the spotlight were 20 outstanding projects, which were ceremoniously awarded their funding certificates by State Secretary Rolf-Dieter Jungk (Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space):
AgriFoodLoop, BauZirkular, CEleRA, Circulytics, ConCIRCLE, CraftForward, DaFiRe, DIGIBATT360, DiVaBatt, DiziPro, GreenRetroTwin, GRROW, iPassPro, PAnDA, PEM CIRGLE, ReMEPP, Robo-CircEL, TexSpread360, Uncover Elastane and ZIRKULAR-X.

They demonstrate impressively how digital technologies are driving the circular economy: digital product passports, data-driven platforms, AI-supported sorting and recycling processes, and innovative remanufacturing approaches—across agriculture, construction, industry, battery production, and textile recycling. Using resources efficiently, extending product life cycles, and strengthening circular value creation—these are the common goals shared by all projects.

One of the highlights of the kick-off event was the panel “Digital GreenTech in the Context of Competitiveness and Geopolitics: Opportunities and Challenges for Germany.” Experts including Dr. Henning Krassen (BMFTR), Sabine Huck (BMUKN), and Stephan Ramesohl took part in the discussion.


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