China-Europe

Cooperation Between the EU and China on Circular Economy: A Look Back and Forward

在过去几年中,欧盟与中国在循环经济领域建立了强有力的合作伙伴关系。这一合作于2018年正式签署了《循环经济谅解备忘录》。这一协议标志着双方在资源管理、废物处理和可持续发展方面合作努力的开始。

Over the past few years, the European Union and China have developed a strong partnership in the field of circular economy. This cooperation was formalized in 2018 by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Circular Economy. This agreement marked the beginning of collaborative efforts to enhance resource management, waste treatment, and sustainable development.

最初的主要合作领域包括:

The original key areas cooperation included:

  • 政策交流:定期举行政策对话,讨论促进循环经济的立法和政策措施。
  • 技术合作:启动了废物管理和资源回收的合作项目,以分享技术专长和创新成果。
  • 市场机制: 双方探讨了以市场为基础推进循环经济实践的方法,包括绿色金融和绿色供应链管理。
  • Policy Exchanges: Regular policy dialogues were held to discuss legislative and policy measures to promote a circular economy.
  • Technical Cooperation: Collaborative waste management and resource recovery projects were initiated to share technical expertise and innovations.
  • Market Mechanisms: Both parties explored market-based approaches to advance circular economy practices, including green finance and green supply chain management.

2023年,第一次中欧循环经济高级别政策对话在北京举行,标志着中欧地区在环境事务上密切合作承诺的重要里程碑。这次对话不仅强调了合作努力的重要性,而且还将《循环经济谅解备忘录》再延长五年。在2024年,欧盟和中国在循环经济领域深化合作方面迈出了重大步伐。随后,双方制定了新的合作路线图,并于最近公布,其中概述了双方应采取的具体行动。

The first EU-China High-Level Policy Dialogue on Circular Economy was held in Beijing in 2023, marking a significant milestone in reaffirming the commitment to close cooperation on environmental matters between the two regions. This dialogue not only emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts but also resulted in the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Circular Economy for another five years. In 2024, the EU and China took significant steps to deepen their cooperation on the circular economy. Then the new cooperation roadmap was developed and recently released, outlining specific actions to be undertaken by both parties.

当前的合作重点包括:

Current cooperation focuses on:

  • 塑料:共同参与旨在减少塑料污染的全球谈判。举办关于塑料循环经济转型的研讨会,讨论设计、生命周期方法以及生物基、可降解和可堆肥塑料的最新发展。
  • 电池价值链与再制造:探索在电池管理和再制造方面的合作机会,以提高资源效率并减少环境影响。
  • Plastics: Joint participation in global negotiations for a plastics treaty to reduce plastic pollution. Planning workshop on the transition to a circular economy for plastics, discussing design, lifecycle approaches, and the latest developments in bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics.
  • Battery Value Chains and Remanufacturing: Explore opportunities for cooperation in battery management and remanufacturing to enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

展望未来,欧盟和中国将进一步深化和扩大循环经济领域的合作,实施一系列新的项目和倡议。

Looking ahead, the EU and China are set to continue and expand their cooperation in the circular economy, implementing a series of new projects and initiatives.

未来工作包括:

Future work will include:

  • 实施合作路线图:该路线图将于2024年启动,重点是塑料、电池和再制造。
  • 技术援助和试点项目:一个由欧盟资助的新项目将于 2024 年初启动,在三年内提供技术援助、支持试点测试以及最佳实践的推广。
  • 定期审查与调整:将每年举行高级别对话,审查合作路线图的进展情况,并根据需要调整优先事项和战略。
  • 持续的政策与技术交流:通过定期的政策与技术交流,持续分享经验和最佳实践,以促进全球循环经济的发展。
  • Implementing the Cooperation Roadmap: The roadmap will be rolled out in 2024, with a focus on plastics, batteries, and remanufacturing.
  • Technical Assistance and Pilot Projects: A new EU-funded project will start in early 2024, providing technical assistance, support for pilot testing, and dissemination of best practices over three years.
  • Regular Reviews and Adjustments: Annual high-level dialogues will be held to review the progress of the cooperation roadmap and adjust priorities and strategies as needed.
  • Ongoing Policy and Technical Exchanges: Continued sharing of experiences and best practices through regular policy and technical exchanges to promote the development of a global circular economy.

通过这些努力,欧盟与中国在循环经济领域的合作不仅有助于实现可持续发展目标,还为全球环境保护和资源有效利用提供了一个典范。

Through these efforts, the cooperation between the EU and China on the circular economy not only contributes to sustainable development goals but also provides a model for global environmental protection and resource efficiency.

中欧企业在循环经济合作中的机遇

Opportunities for EU and Chinese Companies in the Circular Economy Collaboration

可持续品牌塑造

Sustainability Branding

对于中国企业来说,通过与欧盟合作来实践循环经济,是提升企业形象和竞争优势的重要机遇。通过融入可持续发展实践,中国企业可以吸引环保意识的消费者和投资者,使自己与竞争对手区分开来。这种与国际可持续标准的一致性不仅打开了新的市场大门,还建立了客户忠诚度和信任。另一方面,欧盟企业可以进一步巩固自己作为全球可持续发展领导者的声誉。与中国合作伙伴合作彰显了对国际环保目标的承诺,这有助于提升企业声誉,吸引注重ESG的投资者。此外,强大的可持续品牌有助于欧盟企业进入中国市场,吸引越来越多的环保意识消费者。

For Chinese companies, embracing circular economy practices through cooperation with the EU presents a significant opportunity to enhance their corporate image and competitive advantage. By integrating sustainable practices, Chinese firms can attract eco-conscious consumers and investors, differentiating themselves from competitors. This alignment with international sustainability standards not only opens doors to new markets but also builds customer loyalty and trust. On the other hand, EU companies can further bolster their reputation as global sustainability leaders. Collaborating with Chinese partners showcases a commitment to international environmental goals, which enhances corporate reputation and attracts ESG-focused investors. Additionally, a strong sustainability brand helps EU firms penetrate the Chinese market, appealing to the growing demographic of environmentally aware consumers.

合资企业和合作伙伴关系

Joint Ventures and Partnerships

中国和欧盟企业之间的合资企业和合作伙伴关系为资源共享、创新和市场扩张提供了平台。这些合作使企业能够共享技术、专业知识和资本,降低成本并促进可持续解决方案的发展。通过结合不同的视角,企业可以共同开发新技术,以解决循环经济方面的挑战,如减少浪费和提高资源利用效率。此外,合资企业有助于缓解进入新市场或开发新技术所带来的风险,将财务和运营风险在合作伙伴之间分散。这种合作方式不仅增强了市场影响力,还促进了整合的循环供应链,有助于建立更加可持续和资源高效的全球经济。

Joint ventures and partnerships between Chinese and EU companies create a platform for resource sharing, innovation, and market expansion. These collaborations enable companies to share technology, expertise, and capital, reducing costs and facilitating the development of sustainable solutions. By combining diverse perspectives, companies can co-develop new technologies to address circular economy challenges, such as waste reduction and resource efficiency. Furthermore, joint ventures help mitigate risks associated with entering new markets or developing new technologies, spreading financial and operational risks across partners. This collaborative approach not only enhances market reach but also promotes integrated, circular supply chains, contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient global economy.

创新与研发

Innovation and Research & Development

创新研发在推动循环经济方面起着至关重要的作用,特别是在中国和欧盟企业之间的合作努力中。通过交流思想和技术转移,这些合作伙伴关系促进了废物管理、资源效率和可持续产品设计方面的革命性创新。通过共同确定市场需求并投资长期研究项目,企业可以开发符合循环经济原则的以市场为驱动力的解决方案。合作研发项目,如智能废物管理系统、循环产品设计平台和先进的回收技术,展示了跨境创新应对全球可持续发展挑战的潜力。通过这些举措,中国和欧盟企业不仅推动了技术进步,还培育出一个推动循环经济议程前行、有助于实现更加可持续和资源高效未来的创新文化。

Innovation and Research & Development serves as a critical catalyst for advancing the circular economy, particularly in the collaborative efforts between Chinese and EU companies. Through cross-pollination of ideas and technology transfer, these partnerships foster transformative innovations in waste management, resource efficiency, and sustainable product design. By jointly identifying market needs and investing in long-term research initiatives, companies can develop market-driven solutions that adhere to circular economy principles. Collaborative R&D projects, such as smart waste management systems, circular product design platforms, and advanced recycling technologies, demonstrate the potential for cross-border innovation to address global sustainability challenges. Through these initiatives, Chinese and EU companies not only drive technological advancements but also cultivate a culture of innovation that propels the circular economy agenda forward, contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

Credit: Courtesy of Novonesis

图片来源:诺和新元生物公司提供

诺和新元生物的生物解决方案实现了塑料的循环利用

Novonesis’Biosolutions Close the Loop of Plastic

诺和新元生物与其合作伙伴密切合作,开发改革性的生物解决方案,以消除对原始塑料的需求并减少塑料垃圾。如今,PET塑料只能进行有限次数的机械回收,否则其质量就会受到影响。从这一点来看,在生产过程中有必要添加原生塑料来补偿塑料在机械回收当中的损失。这既增加了对塑料的需求,也增加了浪费。

诺和新元生物的商业合作伙伴Carbios开发了一种革命性的酶生物解决方案,可将各种PET废弃物(瓶、托盘、纤维等)分解为单体,即PET的原始构建块。这些单体然后由PET生产商重新组装,制造出与原始化石基塑料具有相同质量的可回收PET。

Novenesis closely collaborate with its partners to develop transformative biosolutions to decouple the needs for virgin plastics and reduce the plastic waste.

Today, PET plastic can only be mechanically recycled a limited number of times before its quality is compromised. At this point, it will be necessary to add virgin plastic to compensate. This both increases demand for plastics and also increases waste.

Carbios, a Novonensis business partner, has developed a revolutionary enzymatic biosolution that can break down PET waste of all types (bottles, trays, fibers, etc) into monomers, the original building blocks of PET. These monomers are then reassembled by PET producers to create recycled PET which has the same quality as virgin fossil-based plastic.

另一个创新的解决方案是100%可堆肥的聚乳酸塑料。通过这种解决方案,食品级、高性能和耐用的食品容器,例如托盘,可以与食品废物一起处理。这要归功于我们的合作伙伴Carbolice开发的一种含有酶的新型聚乳酸材料。在正确的堆肥条件下,这种新的酶聚乳酸可以完全降解,并不会留下毒素或微塑料。这意味着在家里或工业堆肥中聚乳酸塑料包装可以被视为食品垃圾,基本上塑料废物流中消除了另一种塑料来源。Novonesis目前正在扩大生产Carbios的专利PET降解酶,预计每年可回收20亿瓶PET瓶。

Another innovative solution is about 100% compostable PLA plastics. By this solution, a food container, such as a tray, that is food grade, high performing and durable –can be disposed of with food waste.

It is now possible thanks to a new PLA material containing enzymes developed by our partner Carbolice.

Under the right composting conditions, this new enzymatic PLA fully degrades leaving no toxins or microplastics behind.

This means PLA packaging can be treated as food waste that can be composted either at home or industrially, essentially removing another plastic source from the plastic waste stream. Novonesis is currently scaling up production of Carbios’ patented PET-degrading enzymes which is projected to recycle 2 billion PET bottles a year.

在新的前沿领域,生物解决方案可以比废物解决方案更好地满足原始塑料需求。与使用石化油相比,生物解决方案可以用来生产由不同种类的生物质中生产塑料。与化石原料的塑料相比,这种生物基塑料能够实现更循环的生产过程。Novonesis提供一系列的产品,用于将木质纤维素、有机废物或淀粉生物精炼成可发酵糖。生物解决方案还可用于生物降解塑料,如PBAT、PBS和PLA,以实现更环保的报废或回收。

Biosolutions can do more in the new frontier for solutions aligned with virgin plastic demand than waste.

Instead of using petrochemical oil, biosolutions can be used to produce plastics made from different kinds of biomass. This type of biobased plastic enables a more circular production process compared to fossil feedstock-based plastics. Novonesis has a range of offerings for biorefining of lignocellulose, organic waste or starch into fermentable sugars.

Biosolutions can be also used to biodegrade plastics, such as PBAT, PBS and PLA, for a more environmentally-friendly end-of-life or recycling.

总结

Final Remarks

在仲欧脱碳科技(CNEUCN),我们专注于促进中国和欧洲企业之间的市场进入和合作,尤其是在循环经济领域。通过提供宝贵的洞察力和全面的协助,我们帮助中国公司提升符合欧洲市场标准的可持续品牌形象,使他们在欧盟市场更具竞争力。与此同时,我们还通过促进战略合作伙伴关系,使欧洲公司与当地市场动态保持一致,从而帮助他们在中国市场上游刃有余。我们专业的科学委员会和长期合作伙伴专注于碳减排,推动合资企业和合作研发项目,以及促进废物管理、资源效率和可持续产品设计的创新。这种双管齐下的方法使双方的企业都能在新的市场中蓬勃发展,推动技术进步,为更加可持续和资源节约型的全球经济做出贡献。

At CNEUCN, we specialize in facilitating seamless market entry and collaboration between Chinese and European companies, particularly in the realm of circular economy. By providing invaluable insights and comprehensive assistance, we help Chinese companies enhance their sustainability branding and comply with European standards, making them more competitive in the EU market. Simultaneously, we support European companies in navigating the Chinese market by fostering strategic partnerships and aligning them with local market dynamics. Our dedicated scientific committee and long-term partners are focused on decarbonization, driving joint ventures and collaborative R&D projects, and fostering innovations in waste management, resource efficiency, and sustainable product design. This dual approach empowers businesses on both sides to thrive in new markets, driving technological advancements and contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient global economy.

请邮件联系[email protected],让我们直接进行11讨论。

Please contact us for a 1 to 1 direct discussion by sending email to [email protected].

仲欧脱碳科技有限公司中欧碳中和可持续城市发展平台项目将由为此项目成立的同名私营公司运营,旨在通过聚集各方优势,针对每一个课题制定出量身打造的解决方案,以全面和包容的工作方式为中国和欧洲的碳中和之路添砖加瓦。

仲欧脱碳科技 有限公司该平台将发挥积极和创新的作用,为实现碳中和所需的构想、塑造、设计和实现转型提供服务。

China Europe Carbon Neutral Technology aims to support and substantially contribute to China and Europe path towards carbon neutrality in a holistic and inclusive way by gathering all the stakeholders and creating solutions for each challenge.

China Europe Carbon Neutral Technology will play an active and innovative role in providing services to conceive, shape, design and accomplish the transitions needed to achieve carbon neutrality.