It’s been a great week for Circular Connect - we announced Mark Watson as our new Sales Operations Director and have welcomed over 80 new subscribers 📈. If you’re new here, thanks for joining us!

It’s also been a remarkably busy week in the circular economy. Without further ado, let’s get stuck in!

Industry News

Refurbed achieves profitability, highlighting circular economy viability. Refurbed, a leading European refurbished product marketplace, has announced profitability. Irish consumers have significantly contributed towards this milestone, with over €100 million in sales since the company's launch in Ireland. Read more.

Back Market sees ongoing US sales growth amid tariffs. Back Market, a global refurbished product marketplace, has reported a surge in US sales as consumers turn to lower-cost refurbished tech. CEO Thibaud Hug de Larauze noted that nearly two months on from Trump’s announcements, sales growth remains strong. Read more.

Swappie appoints Jussi Lystimäki as CEO to drive circular growth. Swappie, the refurbished smartphone recommerce specialist, has named Jussi Lystimäki as CEO. Lystimäki, an early investor in the company, brings over 20 years of marketplace leadership. He aims to scale Swappie’s circular tech infrastructure. Read more.

Peloton launches resale marketplace powered by Archive. Peloton has introduced 'Repowered,' its resale marketplace for pre-owned bikes and equipment. Powered by technology platform Archive, Repowered members can post listings and set competitive prices with help from a generative AI tool. Read more.

Kidora founded as UK’s first family-focused resale app. Mum Karolina Gudes has founded and launched Kidora, a platform for second-hand baby and maternity items. Designed to remove the hassle of general-purpose marketplaces, the app offers secure payments, optional delivery or local pickup, and zero seller fees. Read more.

The Right to Repair movement enjoys US momentum. With 35 states considering legislation and 5 states passing bills, it’s been a highly productive year for the right to repair movement. This momentum reflects bipartisan support and growing public demand for repair autonomy. Read more.

Enviro and Michelin collaborate to drive circularity into racing tire production. Enviro will use its pyrolysis technology to recycle valuable raw materials such as carbon black and oil from Michelin’s used tires. These recycled materials will support the production of new tires for racing vehicles. Read more.

Wincanton accelerates towards net-zero goals. Supply chain solutions provider Wincanton is introducing 24 new electric-powered HGVs to its fleet this summer, supplied by DAF, Volvo, and Renault. This multimillion-pound investment is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 2,400 tonnes annually. Read more.

JLR, Adient, and Dow develop industry-first circular seating. The collaboration has enabled the recovery of end-of-life polyurethane foam and its subsequent reintegration into new seats. This breakthrough supports JLR’s circular and net-zero ambitions, with production-scale processes starting in early 2026. Read more.

Sika and Sulzer launch joint venture to promote construction circularity. Sika and Sulzer have partnered to advance plastics recycling in the construction industry. The venture will focus on developing systems for the collection, processing, and reuse of construction plastics using mechanical and chemical processes. Read more.

Kairos Carbon transforms livestock waste into sustainable fertiliser. Kairos Carbon's NURSE project converts livestock manure into a non-leaching fertiliser while capturing carbon dioxide for underground storage. The process yields purified water and reusable nutrients like phosphorus and magnesium. Read more.

WBCSD releases updated circular transition guide for the fashion industry. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has launched the Circular Transition Indicators (CTI) Sector Guidance: Fashion and Textile v2.0. This updated guide supports fashion and textile companies in accelerating their journey toward a circular economy. Read more.

RLA EMEA Summit 2025: driving circular innovation in reverse logistics. The Reverse Logistics Association is hosting its annual EMEA Summit in Amsterdam from June 24–26. This event will feature industry leaders discussing case studies, best practices, and the latest trends in reverse logistics. Join us there and don’t miss your opportunity to attend the highly regarded RL Master Class hosted by industry legends Rich Bulger and Peter C. Evans. Register here.

Investment News

Ireland invests over €27,000,000 to accelerate circular economy transition. The Irish government has announced funding to advance Ireland's transition to a circular economy, empowering local authorities, community groups, and organisations to reduce waste, extend the life of materials, and promote sustainable resource use. Read more.

Energize Capital raises $430,000,000 for digital climate solutions. Energize Capital has closed its third venture fund, attracting over 80 investors. It focuses on early-stage, software-driven climate solutions in sectors like industrial digitization, energy transition, and the circular economy. Investments include Tyba, Nira, and Archive (who we mentioned above). Read more.

Mitsubishi backs DEScycle’s solvent-based e-waste recycling tech. Mitsubishi Corporation has invested in DEScycle, which uses proprietary solvents to recover precious metals and copper from electronic waste. The funding will support construction of a pilot plant in the United Kingdom. Read more.

bolttech raises $140,000,000 Series C and onboards strategic investors. Investors include Sumitomo Corporation and Iberis Capital. Sumitomo has also entered a joint venture with the insurtech company to deliver insurance programmes in Asia. The funds will enhance platform capabilities and accelerate bolttech’s global growth strategy. Read more.

Misfits Market acquires The Rounds to enhance zero-waste delivery. Misfits Market has acquired The Rounds, a zero-waste delivery service, to expand sustainable grocery and household product distribution. The merger aims to reduce waste and inefficiency in the supply chain while enhancing convenience for customers. Read more.

Plagazi secures €29,500,000 EU grant for waste-to-hydrogen plant in Sweden. Swedish cleantech firm Plagazi has received the grant from the EU Innovation Fund to develop its Gävle Circular Park. The circular park will convert 66,000 tons of non-recyclable waste into 12,000 tons of circular hydrogen annually. Read more.

Exterra raises $20,000,000 to turn asbestos mine waste into critical minerals. Exterra has secured funding to develop its Hub I project in Quebec, which aims to process over 300,000 tonnes of asbestos mine tailings annually. This positions Exterra to establish one of the US’s shortest nickel supply chains for transport electrification. Read more.

Endless LLP acquires Ecobat’s European battery distribution business. Ecobat has sold its European battery distribution division to private equity firm Endless LLP for an undisclosed sum. The strategic move allows Ecobat to sharpen focus on its core battery recycling operations. Read more.

Ziniosa raises funds to expand India’s circular luxury fashion market. Luxury fashion recommerce platform Ziniosa has secured fresh funding from Inflection Point Ventures to support tech upgrades, accelerate team growth, and launch its first physical store. Ziniosa’s rigorous authentication processes consistently ensure high margins. Read more.

That’s a wrap for the weekend. Have a great one and we’ll meet again on Monday!

Cheers to circularity,

#TeamCircularConnect #ConnectingTheCircularEconomy