Basque Country supports innovation and the circular economy

36 new innovative projects in the circular economy, along with 118 in previous calls, have received grants totaling €4.05 million

The second challenge of the Basque Country Circular Economy Strategy 2030 focuses on innovation through materials, processes, and products.

Innovation allows the challenges established in European policy instruments to be converted into business opportunities.

36 new innovative projects in the circular economy, along with 118 in previous calls, have received grants totaling €4.05 million from the Basque Ministry of the Environment, Territorial Planning, and Housing.

These grants were awarded to 57 companies through ihobe during the previous parliamentary term (2016–2019), backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Most of the projects align with the priority themes established in the Circular Economy Strategy.

The key priority areas are:

• Ecodesign of equipment, components, and mobility;
• Ecodesign packaging;
• New circular business models;
• Remanufacturing and advanced repair;
• European environmental footprint;
• Metal transformation technologies;
• Key metals and critical materials;
• Plastics, rubber, and composites;
• Minerals and construction materials.

As a feature of the 2019 call, ihobe organized training sessions and expert advice for the companies, as well as access to private funding, in order to make the products commercially viable.

You can find more information about the Basque Country and circular innovation at the bottom of this page.