It’s been a busy week. Let’s get stuck in!

Industry News

Mastercard, Amazon, and Accenture launch innovative supply chain solution. The trio, along with Everledger and Mercy Corps, have introduced a blockchain-backed system to identify and financially reward small-scale producers that leverage sustainable and circular practices. Consumers can scan product labels to identify the “first mile” of their goods and tip suppliers directly. Read more.

Unipart tops CILT UK Top 30 logistics list. Unipart has ranked #1 on CILT UK’s Top 30 Logistics Service Providers list for 2025. The recognition highlights its shift to a performance partner model with strong sustainability and innovation focus. A major nod to Unipart’s circular supply chain leadership! Read more.

AI-driven circularity aids Ukraine’s rebuild. Researchers are using “Circularity on the Edge” AI to scan drone footage of Ukrainian rubble, identifying reusable materials like wood, metal, bricks, and concrete. This tech and community-focused method helps salvage valuable resources, reduce demolition waste, and accelerate sustainable reconstruction. Read more.

Stella McCartney partners with Balena Science to launch compostable footwear. The new S-Wave trainers feature cinnamon-scented BioCir Flex soles, designed to be industrially composted or recycled. Uppers use recycled polyester, hemp lining, and recycled rubber, ensuring the highest levels of sustainability. Read more.

FutureDial partners with Greystone to launch AI-powered receiving cell. FutureDial has introduced “SMART Receive Automation,” an AI/ML-powered cell that automates mixed-load device intake, inspecting, charging, data-wiping, and sorting with over 99% accuracy. Throughput is expected to be boosted by up to 400%. Read more.

EU advances new circular vehicle design rules. EU committees have agreed draft regulations requiring manufacturers to design vehicles whilst ensuring as many parts and components as possible can be easily removed and repurposed. The rules also ban software barriers to repair and demand an increase in the use of recycled plastic. Read more.

Tetra Pak installs AI sorting to streamline recycling. Tetra Pak has financed and installed Recycleye’s QuantiSort AI-powered optical sorter. The system detects and separates recyclable cartons from mixed waste and achieves 98% purity. This investment reinforces Tetra Pak’s commitment to improving recycling and circular infrastructure in the UK. Read more.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Lenovo partner to advance circularity. UNIDO and Lenovo have launched a global collaboration to accelerate circular economy innovation in electronics. The partnership will focus on sustainable industrialisation, skills training, design, and reuse initiatives across supply chains. Read more.

Apkudo introduces AI‑enabled Device Passport. Apkudo has launched its Device Passport™, an AI-driven digital identity that tracks a device’s lifecycle from launch through trade-in, repair, and reuse. This tool boosts transparency, compliance, trust, and uptake in the secondary device market. Read more.

Assurant partners with Plug to scale certified pre-owned devices. Assurant has partnered with Plug, a D2C certified pre-owned devices platform, to extend access to affordable, high-quality refurbished smartphones, tablets, and computers. The partnership combines Plug’s social-commerce model with Assurant’s global testing, logistics, and inventory networks. Read more.

PwC backs circular supply chains as smart business. PwC has examined circular supply chains and maintains that they reduce sourcing risks, build resilience, and meet rising consumer demand for sustainability. Advancements in AI and robotics have made circularity easier to implement and more economically viable. Read more.

BSI study warns trust is key to circular uptake. BSI’s “The Tipping Point” study finds consumer concerns over quality (56%), safety (51%), and reliability (49%) are slowing circular economy adoption. 59% say recognised labels/standards would boost confidence. The report urges businesses to focus on certification and transparency to unlock circular growth. Read more.

Industry experts call for platform strategy in circular electronics. A new white paper co-authored by Peter C. Evans and Guennael Delorme reveals only 10-15% of hardware spend is recovered through traditional disposal channels. Both stress that platform-based approaches can turn retirement into revenue while boosting recovery rates. Download the white paper here.

Coalition urges VAT removal on refurbished electronics. A coalition including Currys, Back Market, Suez, and The Restart Project calls for scrapping VAT on refurbished tech to cut e-waste and lower household costs. They estimate up to 80,000 circular jobs by 2040 if the changes are implemented. Read more.

Veja boosts circularity with Prolong partnership. Sustainable footwear brand Veja has partnered with Prolong’s aftercare platform to roll out tech-enabled repair services across France. Customers can track their items through the repair journey, ensuring transparency and convenience. Read more.

Circ and Zalando launch first recycled Lyocell line. Zalando’s private label Anna Field has launched its first garments using 100% Circ Lyocell, made from 40% recycled polycotton waste. The collection includes a blouse and dress, and showcases innovative textile-to-textile recycling. Read more.

TD SYNNEX partners with Cordon Group on circular IT. TD SYNNEX has teamed up with Cordon Group to expand its Renew programme across Europe. The programme boosts trade-in, refurbishment, and repair services for tech devices, and supports resellers in scaling sustainable tech refresh initiatives. Read more.

Geodis appoints Laura Ritchey as Americas CEO. Geodis has named Laura Ritchey, ex-CEO of Radial, as President & CEO for the Americas. She will lead 20,000 employees across North and South America, driving growth in logistics and supply chain services. Read more.

Close the Loop appoints Matthew Zimmer as North America CEO. Effective July 7, 2025, Matthew will lead North American refurbishment and ITAD services. His strong operational and growth expertise will help advance CTL’s reverse logistics and electronics recovery capabilities. Learn more about CTL here.

Investment News

Woodchuck raises $3,750,000 for AI wood waste tech. The Grand Rapids based climate tech firm secured the seed funding to scale its AI-driven wood waste sorting system. The tech removes contaminants and reduces hauling costs by up to 30%. Expansion plans target West Michigan’s massive construction waste streams. Read more.

Veolia invests £70,000,000 in UK closed-loop PET plant. The facility in Shropshire is set to open in early 2026 and will be the UK's first closed-loop recycling plant. The project is part of a wider investment plan set to reach around £1,000,000,000 by 2030. Read more.

Mars launches $250,000,000 sustainability fund. Mars has unveiled its Mars Sustainability Investment Fund to accelerate breakthroughs in climate-smart agriculture, low-carbon ingredients, and circular packaging. The move supports its goals to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. Read more.

Stonepeak acquires 50% stake in IFCO. Stonepeak will co-control IFCO alongside Triton after acquiring ADIA’s 50% share. IFCO’s global reusable packaging network enables 2,500,000,000 fresh-food shipments annually. The deal strengthens circular supply chains and closed-loop packaging. Read more.

Haiki+ acquires Ecobat Italy for circular lead. Haiki+ acquired Ecobat Resources for €22,900,000, gaining three local recycling sites and accessibility to the production of lead from secondary sources. The acquisition is the latest in a line of M&A deals by Haiki+, which aims to develop an integrated and circular battery supply chain. Read more.

ORIX USA to acquire Hilco Global stake. ORIX Corporation has announced it will acquire a majority stake in Hilco Global. Hilco specialises in asset valuation and complex business restructuring, which are critical for circular economy strategies like reuse and redeployment. Read more.

Ecore acquires HTI Recycling to boost rubber circularity. Ecore International has acquired HTI Recycling to enhance its tire and rubber waste reclamation capacity. The deal expands its TRUcircularity™ program, adding 81 team members and reinforcing its reclaimed-rubber supply chain. Read more.

Metso adds circular mining services with TL Solution deal. Mining tech leader Metso will acquire TL Solution’s recycling operations to advance sustainable mill liner services. The move enables efficient separation and reuse of worn mill liners, cutting waste and supporting closed-loop material flows across the mining industry. Read more.

InPost acquires Spain’s Sending to expand locker network. Polish parcel locker giant InPost has acquired Spanish last-mile firm Sending for €600,000,000 to expand in Southern Europe. The deal supports growth in convenient, low-impact delivery and returns. Read more.

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Have a great one and we’ll meet again on Monday!

Cheers to circularity,

#TeamCircularConnect #ConnectingTheCircularEconomy