Many companies have the potential to use resources more efficiently, reduce waste, and develop circular solutions across value chains.
To unlock this potential, clusters, business development hubs and a knowledge institution have joined forces to build on experience from previous value chain collaborations and establish new partnerships between companies within food and bioresources, construction, and textiles and lifestyle.
With a total investment of DKK 272 million, the initiative will support more than 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing and testing circular solutions in practice – in collaboration with other companies across the value chain.
Many SMEs are already working with circular transition but lack the support needed to turn potential into concrete solutions and viable business models. The aim is therefore to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and create new business opportunities while strengthening competitiveness.
Food and bioresources
Within food production and bioresources, there is significant potential to create more value from biological residual and side streams. By collaborating across the value chain, companies can develop new products, applications, and business models that make better use of resources.
Construction
The construction sector accounts for a large share of material consumption in Denmark. The initiative supports collaborations that increase the reuse and recycling of construction materials, establish new material flows, and strengthen circular solutions in building projects.
Textiles and lifestyle
The textile sector is undergoing a major transition towards more circular solutions. Here, value chain collaborations can help extend product lifetimes, increase reuse, and develop new circular business models.
Value chain collaboration
A core element of the initiative is the establishment of value chain collaborations, where companies from different stages of the value chain work together to develop and test circular solutions.
A value chain collaboration may bring together manufacturers, suppliers, technology providers, and buyers to address shared challenges and opportunities.
Through these collaborations, companies can:
- identify new opportunities for improved resource efficiency
- develop and test circular solutions in practice
- establish new partnerships across the value chain
- strengthen their work with the circular economy
Examples of value chain collaborations
The initiative builds on experience from previous value chain collaborations, where companies have worked together to develop new circular solutions.
Read more about selected collaborations:
- News: Dots gives millions of tennis and padel balls a new life
- News: Extending the lifetime of white goods to reduce resource waste
- Value chain collaboration: From waste to single-use cups – and onwards to nutrients
- Value chain collaboration: From waste to 3D-printed housing
New value chain collaborations will be launched on an ongoing basis, giving companies the opportunity to participate and develop circular solutions alongside other value chain actors.
Stay updated on upcoming opportunities
When new calls for value chain collaborations open, they will be announced on the Danish Business Authority’s platform, Virksomhedsguiden.
Get notified when applications open
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Partnership
Clean – The Danish Water and Environment Cluster
facilitates value chain collaborations with a focus on water and environmental technologies, resources, circular materials, and cross-sector solutions
Food & Bio Cluster Denmark
drives value chain collaborations within food and bioresources
Lifestyle & Design Cluster
drives value chain collaborations within textiles and lifestyle
WE BUILD DENMARK
drives value chain collaborations within construction
MADE – Manufacturing Academy of Denmark
contributes production and industrial expertise to the development and implementation of solutions
Danish Technological Institute
provides testing, data, documentation, and technical validation of solutions
Business Hub Zealand
supports business development and SME participation
Business Hub North Denmark
supports business development and SME participation
Funding
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund and the Danish Board of Business Development as part of Virksomhedsudvikling Danmark.
