The INCIRCULAR project continues to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across regions with its series of emulation sessions. Following the inspiring first cross-regional networking event —which focused on collaboration with sister projects and marked the launch of our cascade funding call—, the second emulation session explored specifically the role of SMEs in the circular plastics economy. This session provided valuable insights and fostered important connections among participants. The event titled “The role of manufacturing industry in the transition to the circular plastic economy: focus on SMEs” took place on April 10th, 2025, in Celje, Slovenia, in the frame of the International Industrial Fair, which allowed participants to interact with the local industrial ecosystem, participate in networking and B2B sessions and present their products. Six SMEs from France, Spain and Slovenia attended the event to present their projects and innovative solutions and discuss with relevant experts and policymakers how they can better integrate the circular plastics value chain and analyse what tools and funding are at their disposal, as well as the incentives and barriers for this.
Focus on SMEs and circular plastics
The second emulation session delved into the challenges and opportunities faced by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to integrate the industrial ecosystem moving towards a circular plastics economy. The discussions highlighted the importance of innovation, the potential of projects of services to promote collaborative partnerships and the need to adapt policy frameworks to the challenges they are facing to achieve the sustainability goals. Participants shared best practices, explored innovative solutions, and identified potential areas for joint initiatives.
SMEs selected through our cascade funding call also took centre stage—six innovative companies joining the project with technologies addressing different stages of the value chain. Find out more about these projects in depth here.
Interactive sessions
Three interactive activities promoted the exchange between participants and representatives from public administrations or agencies offering support to businesses and promoting innovation.
Caterina Verde, from the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) introduced the I3 Instrument as one of the major programmes to promote interregional innovation and foster business collaboration.
Natalija Poš, from the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, provided an overview on the importance of SMEs in the economy and their importance in achieving the European sustainability goals and commitments. This also represents a big business opportunity. The SRIPs (Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships) are key innovation platforms designed to link businesses, research institutions, government, and civil society—the Quadruple Helix—around national priority areas and are therefore a great place to promote this change and boost SMEs innovation. SRIPs focus on innovation ecosystems for the different focus areas of S3, facilitating pilot projects and tech transfer and connecting SMEs with research and funding, as well as supporting cluster-based collaboration and acting as a bridge to EU programs. A general overview of the programmes and opportunities was presented to all participants.
Ita Junkar, research associate of the Jožef Stefan Institute, coordinator of the Key Enabling Technology (KET) “Advanced Plasma Technologies” in the SRIP Factories of the Future presented a concrete example of how different actors can collaborate and innovate, making use of the existing collaboration platforms and initiatives.
Interaction with the Toolmakers Day and the International Industrial Fair
The event offered a B2B session with the international fair participants and the coffee breaks were designed to interact and promote networking with participants at TECOS’ major event of the year that connects the plastics industry and its key innovations and industry leaders. Some SMEs travelling to Slovenia for the event took the opportunity to exhibit at the fair and seek partnerships with other corporations.
The full recording of the session is now available — watch it here to explore all the insights and key takeaways from this inspiring event.
