The current (Linear) Economy is: Produce-use-dispose. The future belongs to the Circular Economy: produce-use-recycle or reuse. The new EC Circular Economy Strategy aims a "closing the loop" of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use, to bring benefits for society, environment and economy. So far 8 legislative proposals on waste have been adopted. Closing the loop of materials streams poses many challenges to research and innovation: increasing durability, reparability & recyclability of products (Extended Producer Responsibility), improving waste management and resource efficiency in industrial sectors, fostering industrial symbiosis and remanufacturing.

MOVECO results include a strong transnational partnership competent to implement the Circular Economy & meet its targets. Based on a research on inefficiencies in innovation in current Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and related R&D services, we will develop a transnational strategy for the transistion to the Circular Economy (identification of possible materials streams for the DR) and roadmaps for their implementation in the different innovation regions. With new services and tools for eco-design and eco innovation (Circular Economy Toolbox), MOVECO will support new business models and research-business cooperation along new value chains. The MOVECO partnership comprises representatives of all target groups; policy-makers, business support organisations (BSO), R&D instituitons as well as civil society organisation: All committed to unleash the potential of the Circular Economy in the Danube Region, thus boosting competitiveness and ensuring security of supply, and leading to economic growth and new jobs.