EU

European Union Regions

Across Europe, circularity is emerging as a cornerstone of sustainable growth. The EU’s commitment to closing material loops, decarbonizing production, and advancing clean technologies is fueling a new era of innovation, competitiveness, and resilience.

Explore how data, policy, and design are shaping EU's circular transition.

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EU's efforts to make the economy circular

Europe’s Circular Economy: 2030 Outlook

The Circular design, clean energy, and resilient value chains - the EU’s transition toward sustainable competitiveness.

At a Glance

11.8%

Circular material use (EU-27, 2023)      

×2 by 2030

Targeted increase under EU Action Plan (CMUR)

€86-126 B

Hydrogen infrastructure required by 2030

100%

EU-fleet-wide CO₂ emission target, 2035 onwards

Circular Material Use Rate: What it means

The Circular Material Use Rate (CMUR) quantifies the proportion of all materials consumed in the EU that come from recycled waste. It provides an essential measure of progress toward a regenerative economy. As demand rises across industries, keeping materials in play for longer and minimizing waste becomes increasingly urgent.

 

 

Uneven progress across member states

The Netherlands leads with 30.6% circularity (2023). These differences stem from variations in infrastructure, industrial focus, and policy. Both the Netherlands and Italy recycle over one-fifth of their total material use - evidence that rapid transition is achievable with proactive policies and innovation.

  • In the Netherlands, CMUR already exceeds the EU’s 2030 target by more than seven percentage points.
  • In Italy, investments and regulatory ambition are bridging the circularity gap.

Source: European Environment Agency (EEA, 2024)

Why Circularity always matters

Despite progress, Europe’s circularity remains low, with most consumption relying on virgin materials. To double the CMUR to 24% by 2030, the EU must accelerate reforms, enhance infrastructure, and strengthen market incentives. High-performing nations offer a blueprint for scalable success.

 

Signals for Business Leaders

25%

Improvement in EU resource productivity (2010-2023)

80%

Part of products’ environmental impacts are determined at design phase

700,000 new jobs

Projected by 2030 in recycling, remanufacturing, and repair

Climate neutrality by 2050, and building a more resilient and competitive Europe.

16%

EU SET Plan: energy use reduction in buildings by 2030 (vs 2020)

90%

Of biodiversity loss is caused by resource extraction & processing

Circular Economy Tools & Frameworks (Europe)

EU Ecolabel European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform Sustainable Buildings & Level(s) Raw Materials Initiative European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials Environmental Footprint Methods Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Environmental Technology Verification