In just a few days, the Circular Valley Convention (CVC) will open its doors at the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf. On March 12-13, 2025, this pioneering platform for the industrial circular economy will bring together leading figures from business, science, politics, and society under the theme “Uniting Industries for a Circular Tomorrow”. With over 100 exhibitors, 200 top speakers, inspiring presentations, groundbreaking innovations, and premium networking opportunities, CVC provides a unique platform to actively shape the transition towards a circular economy.
Conference program bridging science and practice
A central pillar of the Circular Valley Convention is its comprehensive conference program. Key topics include the development of efficient value chains, core technologies for circular transformation, and sustainable material management. Across three stages, renowned thought leaders and industry experts will offer valuable insights into innovations, strategies, and global trends that are shaping the circular world of tomorrow. The Main Stage is structured into seven sessions covering circular plastics, packaging, construction, consumer goods, digitalization, logistics, and circular economy business models.
In addition to keynotes, panel discussions, and presentations on the Main Stage, attendees should not miss the Innovation Stage, where start-ups, researchers, and established companies will showcase cutting-edge strategies and technologies driving circular transformation. Hands-on masterclasses will provide in-depth knowledge of specific circular applications.
Detailed information on the program can be found in the conference program on our website and in this press release in the section: All speakers, all sessions: an overview of the main programme.
An innovative event format that encourages sharing and networking
The Circular Valley Convention seamlessly integrates conference, expo, and networking in a groundbreaking format. On March 12-13, 2025, Düsseldorf will become the global hub for the circular economy, offering a platform for international decision-makers across business, science, politics, and society. Designated networking areas will facilitate cross-sector collaboration and partnerships. The “Circular Night” event on March 12, 2025, will provide an exclusive setting for relaxed networking over music, drinks, and dinner.
A circular marketplace with a holistic approach
The Circular Valley Convention connects science and industry, theory and practice. It covers all dimensions of the circular economy and the entire value chain across industries and materials.
In the expo area, more than 100 exhibitors - including Canon, SAP, Epson, Ernst & Young, Pöppelmann, Fraunhofer CCPE, Siegfried Jacob Metallwerke, PGS Group, Brüninghoff, the Leonhard Kurz Foundation, and many more - will showcase concrete circular economy solutions. The CVC will serve as a global marketplace for circular innovations, featuring world-leading corporations, mid-d enterprises, and start-ups presenting groundbreaking developments, market-ready products, forward-thinking materials, and digital solutions. These solutions span all phases of the circular economy, from the use of renewable raw materials to product design, manufacturing, logistics, product utilization, and end-of-life processes such as collection, sorting, and recycling.
“The Circular Valley Convention provides start-ups, mid-d businesses, and global market leaders with a unique opportunity to position themselves as pioneers in the circular economy and engage with potential customers for their circular solutions”, emphas Philip Scheffler, Project Lead of the Circular Valley Convention at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH. “At the same time, CVC serves as a content hub for the circular economy, delivering key impulses for a sustainable and resource-efficient economic model. This makes it a valuable event for all participants.”
All speakers, all sessions: An overview of the Main Stage program
At the Main Stage of the Circular Valley Convention, renowned thought leaders and decision-makers from business, science, and politics will present their insights and visions for the future of the circular economy.
Opening remarks at the CVC
The CVC will open on Wednesday, March 12, with speeches from Wolfram N. Diener, Chairman of the Management Board of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, the organizing body, along with key representatives from the event’s partner organizations: Dr. Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Renner, Head of Institute, Fraunhofer UMSICHT; also present will be Dr. Claas Oehlmann, CEO of the BDI-Initiative Circular Economy. Moderator Chérine de Bruijn will guide the audience through the event.
Further keynote addresses will be delivered by Steffi Lemke, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection BMUV; Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia; and on the second day, Oliver Krischer, Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Dr. Stephan Keller, Lord Mayor of the City of Düsseldorf. These contributions underscore the importance of the Circular Valley Convention.
