The port sector is a crucial actor to implement Circular Economy initiatives as it serves as ‘matchmaker’ and crossing-point for all kinds of waste and industrial flows and acts as logistics hubs for the import and export of waste materials, which is why port clusters are ideal places to further assess and incorporate circular economy strategies. Besides, ports accommodate industries that are active in the treatment, collection and shipment of waste and stimulate the emergence of innovation circles
“LOOP-Ports – Circular Economy Network of Ports” project is coordinated by Fundación Valenciaport and funded by EIT Climate-KIC. The main goal of the project is to facilitate the transition to a more circular economy in the port sector, where products, materials and resources are maintained in the economy for as long as possible, and the waste generation minimised. There is a need to actively involve the port sector in this new model of production and consumption.
This project will contribute to the transition of the European economy towards closed-loop systems through the creation of a circular economy network of ports, which will provide an innovation ecosystem around the port activity and stimulate circular economy initiatives in ports. This network of ports will facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices; provide policy recommendations and foster the training as well as new business opportunities both in port clusters and other industries related to this environment. At present, more than 40 members have expressed their interest in this initiative, among others 31 Port Authorities, 4 Public Authorities, 3 Industry associations, 2 Port Associations and 1 Environmental Management Organisation and actually growing.
The main expected results from the project are: a complete mapping of EU ports characterisation on circular economy activities; the analysis of the main drivers through tailored interviews; the elaboration of training materials and the development of training pilots; several workshops/round-tables on circular economy with key stakeholders of the network; the development of business models and the creation of a tailored web tool on circular economy showing the project results.
LOOP-Ports involves 13 partners from 6 EU Member States (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Denmark and Netherlands): Fundación Valenciaport (coordinator); EIT Climate-KIC S.L.; Climate-KIC S.r.l.; Climate-KIC GmbH; Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU); NTU International A/S; Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO); Università di Bologna; Universität Hamburg; Universidad Politécnica de Madrid; Universitat de València; Eco Environnement Ingenièrie (2EI) and Veolia Innove.
