5. 10. 2024
Circular economy: inspiration mission to Sweden
Circular economy in Sweden, meeting with representatives of circular enterprises, research centres and government administration was the aim of the inspiration mission organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Stockholm in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic (PROPED). The Czech delegation – representatives of academia, business and government – had the opportunity to learn about circular solutions in various places in Sweden – in Stockholm, Eskilstuna and Gothenburg from 30 September to 3 October. At Inrego, the delegation had a discussion with Ken Webster, one of the main promoters of the transition to a circular economy.
Sweden was a natural choice for the mission. Sweden has declared its ambition to become a leader in the circular economy by 2030. In recent years, Sweden has managed to reduce the leakage value of material flows by half. In terms of individual industries, the inspiration mission focused mainly on textile recycling, remanufacturing and life cycle extension of ICT and waste treatment. During the mission, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the practices, solutions and technologies applied in the circular economy in Sweden, including the relevant legislation and the division of responsibilities at central and municipal level.
The mission started at the Embassy with a presentation by a circular economy expert from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and continued with a visit to Inrego and 3StepIT, companies focused on extending the life cycle of ICT technology. At Inrego the delegation was led by CEO and Stockholm Region Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Henrik Nilsson, at 3StepIT by its CEO Jakob Lagander.
At Inrego, the mission members participated in an online webcast discussion on the perspectives of the circular economy with Ken Webster, one of the main promoters of the circular economy concept. The tour of the Inrego production halls was followed by a private discussion between the Czech delegation and Ken Webster and Henrik Nilsson.
The next programme offered a visit to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, a specialised agency established by the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise. The presentation offered a behind-the-scenes look at pending legislation on environmental protection and the circular economy. The programme continued with a visit to RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), a research and innovation conglomerate that works with academia and industry to maintain the competitiveness of the Swedish economy. The RISE institutes are also developing technologies that could serve to facilitate the transition away from the linear economy. In Eskilstuna, near Stockholm, the delegation visited the world’s first recycling business centre – ReTuna. Sales at ReTuna focus on textile, sports and household waste (furniture, decorations, etc.), which is reprocessed by the individual traders who rent the sales space
and offered as part of the traditional sales.
In Gothenburg, the capital of western Sweden, the mission participants had the opportunity to hear presentations by experts in waste and water management, the battery industry and sustainable urban planning at the Business Region Sweden (a de facto company set up by the City of Gothenburg to promote exports, innovation and attract domestic and foreign investment). The last stop on the inspiration mission programme was the Chalmers Industriteknik Technical University (regularly ranked in the top 100 in the QS university rankings), or a meeting with the heads and researchers of the multidisciplinary circular economy department here.
Special thanks in connection with the preparation of the mission go to Mr. Vojtěch Vosecký, who assisted in identifying suitable project partners.
The mission was attended by representatives of MIWA Technologies, Green-Future a. s., Greenscan s. r. o., Tomas Bata University in Zlín, CTU in Prague, TGM Water Research Institute, CENIA and the Ministry of the Environment.
Mgr. Jaromír Vejrych, Deputy Ambassador and Economic Diplomat
