INCIRCULAR Final conference: Advanding the future of circular plastics innovation in Europe

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INCIRCULAR Final conference: Advanding the future of circular plastics innovation in Europe

On 24 September 2026, after three years of cross-regional work to turn recycled plastic waste into new second-life materials and accelerate their uptake in industrial production, INCIRCULAR will celebrate its final conference “Looping Circular Plastics Innovation Across Allied European Regions” at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia in Ljubljana.

The conference will bring together industry representatives, SMEs, research and technology organisations, policymakers, public authorities and European stakeholders, both onsite and online, to explore the project’s achievements and discuss the future of circular plastics innovation, replication and investment across European regions.

Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
Venue: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS), Dimičeva ulica 13, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Format: Hybrid — in person in Ljubljana and online

Register now!

About INCIRCULAR

INCIRCULAR (INtegrating Cybernated Innovation to Raise the Scale of Circular Units Looping Allied Regions) is a three-year project (2023–2026) co-funded by the European Union through the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) instrument. It brings together innovation ecosystems from Slovenia, France and Spain to accelerate the adoption of circular solutions in the plastics industry.

Throughout the project, INCIRCULAR has supported the development and demonstration of new approaches for recycled plastic materials, digitalised manufacturing processes and cross-regional cooperation, while creating opportunities for SMEs and industrial actors to test, replicate and scale innovative circular solutions.

From project results to future opportunities for circular plastics

The final event will mark the conclusion of three years of collaboration between the INCIRCULAR partners and stakeholders. On 23 September, the consortium will gather in Ljubljana for its final project meeting, followed by the public conference on 24 September, where the wider circular plastics community will be invited to discover the project’s results and exchange on future opportunities.

The conference will showcase the outcomes achieved through INCIRCULAR’s industrial pilot, regional replication activities and SME innovation projects, connecting these experiences with broader discussions on circular business models, industrial transformation and investment opportunities.

Bringing together perspectives from industry, research, policymaking and regional innovation ecosystems, the event will explore how successful circular solutions can move from demonstration to wider adoption across European value chains.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from concrete industrial experiences, connect with stakeholders from across the plastics value chain and discuss how collaboration, innovation and investment can support the transition towards more competitive and sustainable circular manufacturing.

AGENDA

·

September 24th

Introduction
9:00
Registration & coffee
9:30
Welcome and INCIRCULAR results
  • Welcome remarks
    Dr Aleš Hančič, TECOS, INCIRCULAR Coordinator, and Caterina Verde, EISMEA Project Officer.
  • INCIRCULAR as a Catalyst for Circular Innovation: Key Results, Impacts and Lessons Learnt
    Dr Vesna Žepič Bogataj, TECOS.
10:00
Plastic Circularity in Europe: Strategic outlook
  • Circular Plastics in Construction: From Recycled Content to Building Passports
    Katarzyna Śliwa, CEO, Ergodesign.
  • ELV Regulations and the Future of Circular Plastics in Mobility
    Adria Mobil (speaker to be confirmed).
  • Digital Product Passports and Circular Consumer Goods
    Urška Butolen, Head of Corporate Sustainability Management, Hisense Europe / Gorenje.
11:30 - 12:00
Coffee break
12:00
Transnational panel with policy recommendations

The session will open with a presentation on the I3 Instrument and its support for interregional cooperation and investment from a circular economy perspective, with Tomislav Pinter (European Commission, DG REGIO) and Caterina Verde (EISMEA). The discussion will then bring together European, regional and industrial perspectives.

  • Dr Aleš Hančič — TECOS, Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre
  • Caterina Verde — European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), I3 Instrument
  • Tomislav Pinter — European Commission, DG REGIO
  • Dr Draško Veselinovič — Slovenian Business & Research Association (SBRA)
  • Urška Butolen — Hisense Europe / Gorenje
  • Marko Omahen — OMAPLAST
13:30
Technology-driven and circular business models in less-developed EU regions
  • Replication of best circular practices in Andalusia
    Dr Raúl Carrillo Beltrán
  • Replication of best circular practices in Slovenia
    Dr Vesna Žepič Bogataj
  • Pilot Actions & Flagship Projects: Innovation Projects Funded by INCIRCULAR
    Six short pitches from WR-KNIVES (Luka Pušnik, TRO), CLARA (Álvaro Flores, Rovimatica), MOIK (Alen Šapek, Additio), PLASTNIR (Juan Gómez, ISR), SMART-MOLD (Ondřej Maršíček, Logix) and PITS (Clara Spetebroodt, Plas’tri).
  • Presentation I3 project INV2a
    SICAPERMA: Catalysing investment in rare-earth magnet recycling, presented by Jorge Contreras Ubric, University of Jaén.
15:00
End of the conference

Join us!

Registration is now open for all stakeholders interested in joining the INCIRCULAR Final Conference in Ljubljana or online. To secure your place, please complete the registration form below and select your preferred attendance mode before 21 September 2026. Online participation details will be shared with registered participants.

Questions about the event? Contact the INCIRCULAR communication team at communication@incircular-project.eu.

Stay tuned for more updates by following the project on LinkedIn!

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