This wrap-up has been compiled by the Programme
Priority 3 Climate-neutral societies
Objective 3.1 Circular economy
GlassCircle:
Wrap-up of project achievements
What if glass fibre waste could fuel new products and new business opportunities? The Interreg project GlassCircle made it possible: through matchmaking and digital tools, companies in Denmark, Latvia and Sweden are connecting to reuse their waste in smarter, more circular ways – reducing environmental impact while strengthening their business potential.
Highlights
GlassCircle Database
The GlassCircle project brought together industry leaders, experts, and public authorities from Denmark, Latvia and Sweden to pave the way for the glass fibre sector’s transition from a linear to a circular economy.
In a nutshell, the project developed the following:
- GlassCircle Database
- White Paper on findings from glass fibre industry regarding the transition to a circular economy: “Business Impact of Glass Fibre Full Cycle Circular Economy & Digital Tools in Nordic Manufacturing Industries
- Report on raising excellence of industry and awareness in society of glass fibre circularity
Project
Details
Project type
Small project
Project duration
October 2022 – September 2024
Contribution to the EUSBSR
PA Innovation
Budget in million
EURO
Involved
Countries
Lead partner
Project partners
GlassCircle Database
The GlassCircle Database is a matchmaking tool that links companies generating glass fibre residues with potential partners interested in reusing these materials. Designed as an interactive Power BI dashboard, it allows users to easily explore circular economy sectors, navigate clusters of companies and access information about company profiles, locations and volumes of dry glass fibre residues.
Despite the sensitive nature of some data, the project successfully engaged as many as 13 companies to join the platform and explore new circular opportunities.
In numbers:
9 organisations cooperating across borders
19 organisations directly benefitting from project solutions
White Paper
The White Paper on “Business Impact of Glass Fibre Full Cycle Circular Economy & Digital Tools in Nordic Manufacturing Industries” examines the current state of circular economy practices in the glass fibre sector, with a primary focus on Nordic manufacturing industries.
It identifies major technical and economic challenges, such as material degradation and contamination during recycling, which often result in landfilling or downcycling. It also showcases examples of companies adopting innovative solutions, including reverse logistics, advanced recycling technologies and new circular business models. It also presents digital tools such as the GlassCircle interactive database and mapping system.
The paper underscores the importance of clear regulatory frameworks and incentives to support sustainable practices and investment in cutting-edge recycling technologies. It concludes with a practical five-step Transition Roadmap to guide companies on their way from linear operations to circular models:
- Building knowledge
- Analysing current operations
- Aligning with policy
- Designing new circular business models
- Implementing them effectively
On the excellence of industry
This report consolidates the results of the GlassCircle project and summarises insights from hackathons, workshops and conferences that explored real strategies for sustainable recycling and resource optimisation. It highlights innovative ideas developed by interdisciplinary teams, such as transforming glass fibre waste into practical products like IoT equipment housings and marine storage solutions. It also presents approaches for gentle recycling processes and shows how digital tools can enhance material reuse and reduce waste.
The report is a valuable resource for industries, research communities and public authorities seeking to apply circular economy principles in glass fibre value chains. It can help increase understanding of glass fibre residues, inspire new reuse solutions and support more circular design and production systems.
Interreg pays off
Impacts
The project actively engaged industry leaders, experts, and public authorities from Denmark, Latvia, and Sweden, bringing transnational cooperation in the fibre industry to a new level. An outstanding example of its practical impact involved the Latvian National Luge Team, represented by Olympic medallist Mārtiņš Rubenis. Through the database, the team connected with a company that supplied 100 kg of dry bi-directional glass fibre fabric. What was once industrial waste was transformed into high-performance sledge components for the national team, clearly demonstrating the commercial and practical value of circular glass fibre solutions.
New companies are planning to join the database, and more work is already underway across borders, particularly with students and young professionals. Circular opportunities identified during the project will also be further advanced within the follow-up Interreg project, CompositeCircle.
Get inspired
Project Wrap-Up
Thanks to Interreg support and transnational cooperation, the GlassCircle project linked industry, academia and public authorities across the Baltic Sea region, significantly expanding knowledge and capacity in glass fibre waste management. As a result, businesses in the glass fibre sector can now operate in a more circular, cost-efficient and sustainable way.
