On 1 December 2025, the Club of Rome EU-Chapter in Brussels organised a policy debate focused on the business case for the circular economy, examining opportunities and challenges for companies. The event, moderated by CoR-EU President Karl Falkenberg, featured Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director Circular Economy at DG Environment of the European Commission, Francesca Stevens, Secretary General at Europen, and Karl Vrancken, Chief Sustainability officer at Indaver.
The debate centered on balancing regulatory ambition with business realities. Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea opened by outlining the Commission’s continued push for an ambitious, better-functioning circular economy that encompasses waste management, eco-design, and consumer behavior. He emphasized the political necessity of formulating policies robust enough to secure a qualified majority among Member States. He did not see a possible majority for stricter reduction of landfills, despite the often still very large use in several Member States, despite all the evidence, that landfills are ecologically problematic and that reduced landfilling is a precondition for more effective recycling and waste to energy use.
Francesca Stevens, representing the packaging industry, brought competitiveness and the critical function of the EU single market to the forefront. She argued that current limitations on trading waste—even within the EU—pose a significant barrier to private investment in essential heavy-duty recycling infrastructure. Without certainty that waste streams can reliably cross borders to reach specialized facilities, companies are hesitant to commit capital. Stevens advocated for a coordinated EU approach that avoids requiring every Member State to develop the full spectrum of waste management facilities (incineration, recycling, repair), making the single market crucial for efficient resource allocation.
There was a consensus among the panelists that to move quickly and effectively, the EU needs regulations that are immediately applicable across all Member States, bypassing the slow, ten-year transposition process often associated with directives. Moderator Karl Falkenberg supported this, noting that speed is essential to realize the potential growth and job creation opportunities inherent in a circular economy transition. He also pointed to the European energy to waste and recycling technologies still leading in worldwide competition. Incineration coupled with distant heating systems has made major improvements in urban air quality.
Karl Vrancken of Indaver shifted the focus to specific technologies, advocating strongly for chemical recycling, particularly for complex chemical waste streams. He challenged those who dismiss chemical recycling as “spooky” or merely a pretense, arguing that resistance to this technology often leads to ineffective downcycling rather than the creation of valuable secondary raw materials. Vrancken supported an EU-wide regulation to create a level playing field and comparable operational realities across borders.
The discussion opened up to a vivid audience Q&A, which included provocative questions challenging the practical ambition of “zero waste.” Vrancken provided a grounded response, stating clearly that zero waste is an unrealistic goal. He argued that focusing solely on reduction ignores the reality that many wastes are harmful and difficult to treat. Landfilling, he contended, must remain part of the discussion for the foreseeable future as a viable, and sometimes the only, option for certain hazardous materials.
Another comment addressed the European second hand clothing exports to Africa, largely due to fast fashion. Two million tons of textiles are thrown away each year in Europe, of which 70% is bought by Africa, causing major environmental problems, because the majority of these low quality clothes are neither re-used nor properly disposed of.
The debate concluded with complex questions regarding nuclear waste management and national responsibility still resonating, providing significant insights into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing the circular economy business case.
For details on future events, visit the new Club of Rome EU-Chapter website www.clubofrome.eu .