Circular4.0 - Digital technologies as enabler to foster the transition to the circular economy by the SME in the Alpine Space area

The main objective of the Circular4.0 project was to strengthen SMEs' digitalisation processes to foster innovation processes and accelerate the transition to the circular economy (CE) in the Alpine Space (AS) area. The introduction of new technologies, notably the IoT and big data tools, is enabling the development and introduction of new CE business models, often based on sharing and leasing but also reuse and remanufacturing. New technological systems and tools mean that products and materials can be tracked throughout their lifetimes to enable extended use while maintaining the highest possible value. Meanwhile, design and manufacturing capabilities are evolving with advances in production, material science and manufacturing, e.g. 3D printing, AI, blockchain etc.

The project addressed specific objectives to integrate the EU CE Action Plan, with specific actions targeting the AS area and its characteristics, focusing particularly on SMEs (eco-design and innovative business models), value chains and clusters in line with S3, EUSALP's strategic sectors and policymakers (integrating the CE into innovation policies for SMEs). The project increased SMEs' and intermediaries' knowledge and raised their awareness of CE concepts, and developed and tested a set of tools for fostering Industry 4.0's contribution to SMEs' transition to the CE, with particular attention paid to CE design models, optimal use models and value recovery models.