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Denmark has taken another big step towards a more sustainable future where waste is transformed into valuable resources. Over 20 new companies have joined the Closing Loops program, Denmark’s largest circular economy initiative. The program now includes more than 200 companies working across industries to recycle materials, reduce waste and reduce CO2 emissions.
Closing Loops, supported by the EU and the Danish Business Promotion Board, aims to reduce 235,000 tons of CO2 and 42,000 tons of waste within three years. The program is part of a larger national strategy to strengthen circular business models and increase collaboration between companies, research institutions and industries. Companies wishing to participate can still apply for funding in 2025.
Must be competitive
Among the latest initiatives is the project ‘Adding Value to Waste Bread’. FoodRemade, Mølleriet Enghaven and Knæk & Bræk are collaborating to develop new foods from surplus bread that would otherwise have been thrown away. FoodRemade collects large quantities of unsold bread every day, which is processed and recycled into products such as breadcrumbs, beer and pasta. But not all bread can be recycled traditionally – coarser bread and rye bread require new solutions, which the partners are now working on, including the development of crispbread and granola bars.
“We already work in a circular way with Salling Group, but are now building a value chain that will transform the currently unused bread leftovers into new foods. We three companies will develop this together in Closing Loops,” says Henrik Ottesen from FoodRemade and points out that it is crucial that the new products are low enough in price for consumers to buy them:
“This is not just about making a product with a great story. It’s important that it’s also a competitive and attractive product in the market, so we can sell the many tons of surplus bread that can be processed in a company like ours. So we are looking for a long-term collaboration on a joint competitive product.”
More building materials to be recycled
On the construction front, Ikano Bolig is working on a major circular project in collaboration with Zupply, Lendager Architects and the Danish Technological Institute. The project focuses on the demolition of the old town hall in Høje Taastrup, where building materials from 17,000 m² are being reused.
“When you want to work with circular construction, it’s a challenge to create a process that both handles the long development horizon of the specific project and at the same time embraces the industry’s complex value chain and current barriers,” says Sustainability Manager Lone Lindgård Laursen from Ikano Bolig.
With a digital platform, they are exploring how best to recycle materials, contributing to sustainable construction with reduced waste.
“We’re working on a digital solution that will ensure a common data basis – and thus create better conditions for decisions and collaboration for all parties in the value chain. With the Closing Loop program behind us, we have the opportunity to test how we can start the dialogue more smoothly and efficiently – from the very earliest planning to the management and realization of circularity,” says Lone Lindgård Laursen.
Food & Bio Cluster Denmark, We Build Denmark, CLEAN Denmark’s Water and Environment Cluster, Lifestyle & Design Cluster, Danish Technological Institute and five business centers are behind Closing Loops.Companies that want to work with circular value chains can apply to Closing Loops and receive financial support for the process. The application deadlines are February 14 and April 11, 2025.
