Stakeholders warn omission of circular economy from the EU’s draft Clean Industrial State Aid Framework undermines Europe’s sustainability goals
TOMRA, a global leader in resource optimisation technologies, is spearheading a coalition of circular economy advocates calling on the European Commission to include dedicated support for circularity in the proposed Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF). The group warns that despite circularity being a key pillar of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, it is conspicuously absent from the current CISAF draft.
The Clean Industrial Deal positions circularity as central to Europe’s green transition, highlighting its role in reducing CO₂ emissions, cutting production costs, lowering waste, and increasing economic resilience. However, the absence of funding mechanisms to support circular infrastructure has raised serious concerns among industry leaders.
The coalition asserts that without targeted financial provisions, the EU risks falling short of its ambition to become the global leader in circular economy practices by 2030. “Circularity is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a strategic tool for securing materials, reducing dependencies, and driving industrial innovation,” the group emphasised in a joint statement.
They further argue that incorporating circularity within CISAF would empower projects that enhance recycling, remanufacturing, and reuse—core enablers of a more self-reliant, sustainable European economy. This is especially critical to meeting the EU’s stated goal of increasing material circularity by 24% by the end of the decade.
The coalition believes that enabling state aid for circular initiatives will accelerate industrial decarbonisation, improve resource security, and promote long-term economic competitiveness. They are urging the Commission to align CISAF’s funding priorities with the broader vision laid out in the Clean Industrial Deal by ensuring equal policy and financial support for all its pillars, including circularity.
