More than 20 years have passed since the first eco-design projects were carried out in the Basque Country and, during all this time, many Basque companies have incorporated environmental criteria from the design and development phase of their products. The Basque Country is now a benchmark region in Southern Europe, especially in industry. In Spain, the Basque Country also leads in the production of eco-designed products and services: more than half of the companies with an eco-design certification (54%) are Basque.

Open to the general public, it will be a great opportunity to learn about the work and commitment of Basque companies in the field of the circular economy

The “Zirkularrak-Circulars” exhibition, organised by the public company Ihobe within the framework of ASTEKLIMA 2022, the Basque Climate and Energy Week, can be visited in the Green Capital hall of the Europa Congress Palace, and will feature a wide range of circular products from 10 industrial sectors in the Basque Country: chemical industry, machinery, metal sector, transport, furniture, automotive, consumer, food, the electrical-electronic sector and the construction materials sector. It offers a comprehensive view of the potential of eco-design in any business sector; an opportunity to showcase the work and recognise the commitment of Basque companies in the field of circular economy.

Travelling exhibition

After visiting Vitoria-Gasteiz, “Zirkularrak-Circulares” will travel to the international event Basque Circular Summit 2022, which will take place on 23-25 November 2022 at the Ficoba Exhibition Centre in Irún. With the theme “Walking the Talk”, the Basque Circular Summit will gather around 500 experts from all over Europe to analyse the implications of the transition to a circular economic model for industry and to discuss the business opportunities and improvement of business competitiveness that this model offers industrial sectors. Pre-registration is open on the website www.basquecircularsummit.eus.

Afterwards, the exhibition will continue its journey, visiting different locations in the Basque Country to showcase circular products that are a benchmark for all companies in the region, Spain and the entire European industrial sector. The “Zirkularrak-Circular” exhibition is an excellent opportunity to promote knowledge about the circular economy aimed at both the general public and Basque companies interested in learning about and applying the successful developments of eco-innovative companies; public entities and administrations with the potential to promote the circular economy in the Basque Country; Basque and international clusters and business associations; and knowledge and innovation agents on a Basque and international level.

As well as recognising the work that has already been done, the Basque Government aims to continue promoting the implementation of circular economy in Basque industry. Although the current scenario is encouraging, according to the latest diagnosis drawn up by the public company Ihobe, greater implementation would reduce raw material consumption by 6% and could save up to €2bn. Forecasts by the European Commission reveal that worldwide, additional revenue for the industry of €57bn and savings per household and per year of €500 could be achieved by 2030.

The exhibition of circular products manufactured in the Basque Country “Zirkularrak-Circulares” has been organised by the Public Society of Environmental Management, Ihobe. Its visit to Vitoria is part of ASTEKLIMA 2022, the Basque Climate and Energy Week, with the collaboration of the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary as a European Green Capital.