Circular Valley Convention 2026: Digitalization and Life-Extending R-Strategies in Focus
The Circular Valley Convention 2026 highlights not only early R-strategies but also the extension of product lifecycles, as well as digitalization, energy, and AI. High-level voices from politics, industry, and science discuss key levers of the circular economy.
In addition to early R-strategies, the Circular Valley Convention 2026 – held on March 11 and 12 at the Düsseldorfer Areal Böhler – focuses on other central levers of the circular economy: extending product lifecycles and the role of digitalization, energy, and artificial intelligence as crucial enablers. Esteemed speakers from politics, industry, science, and technology will discuss how reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, and repurpose contribute to extending product lifecycles and which digital tools are essential for this purpose.
Digitalization as a key driver for Circular Value Creation
Under the theme “Energy, Digitalization & AI,” representatives from politics, industry, research, and technology will explore the role of digital solutions in implementing the circular economy. Speakers include Thomas Jarzombek, Member of the German Bundestag and State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs, Johannes Fischer from the VDI Technology Center, Dr. Christoph Strnadl from the Gaia-X European Association for Data and Cloud AISBL, Alexander Garbar from Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport), and Prof. Dr. Christian Doetsch from the Fraunhofer Alliance ENERGY.
Together, the speakers emphasize that digital solutions go far beyond efficiency gains: They enable transparency along value chains, new business models, and more precise control of material and energy flows, making them a key lever for implementing the circular economy. Companies like duisport will also present their approaches in the convention’s exhibition area, making digital solutions for the circular economy tangible.
Extending Product Lifespans: Mid-R Strategies in Practice
Another thematic focus is on the mid-level, life-extending R-strategies: reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, and repurpose. In a program block on the second day of the event, representatives from various industries will demonstrate how products can be used longer, repaired, or repurposed – from machinery and consumer goods to construction products.
Speakers include Michael Scharpf, Head of Sustainable Construction at Holcim, Ansgar Thole, President and Managing Director of Komatsu, Walter Ahn, Founder of WASTO-PAC, Thomas Krämer, Director Asia/Pacific at WIPOTEC and Andre Rolfes, Head of Sustainable Finance and CSR at GEFA BANK. Komatsu and GEFA BANK will also be represented with their own booths in the exhibition area.
The presentations highlight that extending product lifespans not only offers ecological benefits but also unlocks economic potential, such as through new service offerings, data-driven business models, and more stable supply chains.
Construction as a Key Industry for the Circular Economy
A special industry focus of the Circular Valley Convention is on the construction sector, which – due to its high material consumption, long usage cycles, and complex material flows – represents a central field of action for the circular economy. In a keynote speech, Ina Scharrenbach, Minister for Home, Municipal Affairs, Construction, and Digitalization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, will discuss circular construction in NRW and the significance of political frameworks, regulatory requirements, and public governance for transforming the construction industry.
Further program sessions will show how these frameworks can be implemented in practice, with representatives from industry and materials management. Companies such as Holcim, Teijin, Lhoist (with a booth in the exhibition area), and Oetelshofen will provide insights into circular building materials, new material concepts, and approaches to reducing primary raw materials. The Circular Valley Convention thus deliberately delves deep, connecting strategic perspectives with concrete industrial applications along the construction value chain.
Top Executives on the opportunities of the Circular Economy
The program is rounded off by insights from top executives who view the circular economy from an overall corporate responsibility perspective. Dr. Thomas Stoffmehl, CEO of Vorwerk, Dr. Henrik Ahlers, CEO of EY Germany and Dr. Stephan Kothrade, Board Member and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of BASF, will share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of the circular economy – from basic materials to consumer goods. BASF and Vorwerk will also be present with exhibition booths at the Circular Valley Convention.
“Circular Valley Convention enables an in-depth exploration of the key levers of the circular economy – from digital enablers and life-extending R-strategies to key industries such as construction. The exchange between politics, industry, and science is crucial,” says Dr. Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation.
Conference, Exhibition, and Networking in One Place
Under the motto “Uniting Industries for a Circular Tomorrow,” the Circular Valley Convention 2026 once again combines conference, exhibition, and networking into a holistic format. Numerous exhibitors will present concrete products, technologies, and business models along the entire product lifecycle, making the circular economy tangible for professional audiences.
The Circular Valley Convention is a joint initiative of Circular Valley, Messe Düsseldorf and Fraunhofer Institutes. Co-hosts are BASF, Bayer, Evonik, Henkel and Vorwerk. The Circular Valley Convention will take place on 11 and 12 March 2026 at the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf. Further information is available at cvc-duesseldorf.com.
About Circular Valley
Circular Valley, based in the greater Rhine-Ruhr region, is the international hotspot for the circular economy. The nonprofit Circular Valley Foundation unites relevant stakeholders. Companies, startups, academia, and policymakers from various industries and technologies are collaborating to develop solutions for the transformation to a true circular economy. The foundation’s main areas of focus are public relations, the world’s first Circular Economy Accelerator, and policy recommendations.
Note for editors
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Photo: In 2026, CVC will continue to be a joint initiative of Circular Valley, Messe Düsseldorf and Fraunhofer Institutes. Source: Jan Turek/Circular Valley
You may use the image free of charge for reporting on Circular Valley, provided you cite the source.
