- During the development of this initiative, a Port Circular Economy Network will be created.
- Thanks to LOOP-Ports, a web tool on circular economy will be created to show the results of the project and to facilitate the exchange of information among the members of the network.
The first internal technical meeting of the European project "LOOP-Ports - Circular Economy Network of Ports" coordinated by the Valenciaport Foundation and funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) through EIT Climate-KIC was held in Valencia on October 18.
LOOP-Ports' main objective is to facilitate the transition towards a more circular economy in the port sector, where products, materials and resources are not considered as waste but can be turned into sustainable business models that can be replicated in ports of similar characteristics.
The project, through the creation of a Circular Economy Network in Ports, will provide an innovation ecosystem to stimulate the implementation of this type of initiatives in European ports. The network will focus mainly on the following materials: metals, plastics, cements and biomaterials. This network of ports will facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices, formulate recommendations at the regulatory level and promote training as well as new business opportunities both in port clusters and in other industries related to their environment.
Specifically, the main expected results of the project are:
- Classification of ports at European level showing their suitability for the implementation of circular economy initiatives as well as particular studies of relevant cases.
- Analysis of the main drivers (legal, political, regulatory, market, financial, etc.) that can facilitate the transition to a circular economy of activities related to the port sector.
- Training materials and pilot training projects that contribute to the development of competencies, knowledge and innovation capabilities, both within and between port clusters.
- Workshops and round tables on circular economy with the different stakeholders of the port communities, gathering their interests and expectations.
- Development of business models - real cases selected during the project, seeking their replicability in other ports with similar characteristics.
- Identification of funding opportunities to promote the circular economy in the port sector.
- Web tool on circular economy showing the results of the project, facilitating the exchange of information among network members, stakeholders as well as the general public.
