search

This initiative, launched by Luxinnovation, with the support of the Ministry of the Economy, aims to enable the development of new design solutions and innovative business models that are in line with the principles of the circular economy.

This ceremony marks the end of a process in which 8 selected projects (out of a total of 30 candidates), startups and established companies all participated in an intensive 12-week coaching programme, accompanied by 17 coaches, with the aim of developing their projects and making them economically viable. Five public partners are also involved in this third edition, which identified four main challenges:

  • Finding sustainable solutions that can contribute to development cooperation and humanitarian aid, in collaboration with the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs;
  • Finding innovative solutions that contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of business events and making them more eco-responsible, in collaboration with the Directorate General for Tourism of the Ministry of the Economy;
  • Finding innovative, circular and sustainable solutions for multifunctional urban furniture that will contribute to limiting the ecological footprint, in collaboration with the Luxembourg Urban Garden 2025, LUGA, and the organisers of the Luxembourg national pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka;
  • Designing and developing products that represent Luxembourg and the “LuXembourg” brand in accordance with the principles of the circular economy, in collaboration with the Luxembourg Collection team of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Circularity has become a major issue for the entire economy

Franz Fayot

“The consequences of climate change and resource scarcity are becoming increasingly evident, as is the need to change our current production and consumption patterns,” explains Anja Hoethker, Project Manager – Flagship Projects at Luxinnovation, who is in charge of coordinating this event. “This Circular by Design Challenge aims to inspire companies and entrepreneurs to develop products and services that will contribute to a more circular and sustainable world.”

In his opening speech, Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot said: “The success of this 3rd edition of the Circular By Design Challenge is proof of the success of the initiative and of the fact that circularity has become a major issue for the entire economy. The four themes chosen for the challenge perfectly reflect the growing demand for sustainable solutions.”

He added: “Awareness on the importance of sustainability is growing in a wide range of fields, from architecture and agriculture to defense, life sciences and mobility. The Circular by Design Challenge is thus a concrete contribution to the transition to a more sustainable economy and society, which is at the heart of the government’s actions.”

Five winners

During the award ceremony held at the Philharmonie, the following winners were acknowledged:

  • Angelika Bocian-Jaworska (Äerd Lab, multifunctional urban furniture category) for her Eggshell Wonders project on 3D printing of urban furniture from a mixture of eggshells, clay and other 100% natural materials;
  • Cheryl Ury and Kevin Behaegel (Luloop, sustainable business events category) for their Luloop project to set up an international reuse ecosystem that is practical, affordable and accessible to all, to support the transition away from single-use plastic in the hospitality sector;
  • Martin Dieterle (Carrerouge, LuXembourg Collection category) for his Quattromania board game project, made 100% in Luxembourg from recycled plastics and with social partners such as Autisme Luxembourg;
  • Dean Kauffmann (Amsol, development cooperation and humanitarian aid category) for his 3DField Printer project, a robust and deployable 3D printing solution that humanitarian aid organisations can rely on and that will withstand the harsh environments caused by natural disasters or other catastrophes around the world;
  • Loise Wandera and Oscar Rombo (Metricsat, Jury’s Favourite Award) for their project TopFodder which aims to promote regenerative agriculture among small-scale farmers in Rwanda.

The jury was composed of 12 international experts, chaired by Prof. Martin Charter, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Design at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, England.

“The implementation of circular economy principles contributes to Luxembourg’s efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The quality of the projects awarded in this third edition of the Circular by Design Challenge, shows once again the richness and strength that can emanate from close collaborations between companies that develop sustainable solutions and public institutions and other economic actors”, said Johnny Brebels, Director Company Relations and Support at Luxinnovation. “This is perfectly in line with Luxinnovation’s mission to raise awareness and support companies, but also the whole economy, in implementing innovative projects to create the digital, competitive and sustainable economy of tomorrow.

 

Photos: Sophie Margue (Luxinnovation)

Read more

DIH ON TOUR bus arrives at the Smart Manufacturing Week

05-06-2023

During the Smart Manufacturing Week on 6 and 7 June 2023, the DIH ON TOUR bus will be transformed into a business matchmaking and meeting platform. Board the bus in front of the Luxexpo The Box to interact with representatives from the European Digital Innovation Hub Luxembourg and Saarland. Save the dates for the other upcoming DIH ON TOUR events!
Read more

Combining sustainability and competitiveness

05-06-2023

During the conference "Megatrends 2050: Shaping the future with scientific foresight", Sasha Baillie, CEO of Luxinnovation, reviewed some of these megatrends and how Luxembourg is addressing these challenges. Second part: climate change and resource scarcity.
Read more

One sustainable solution, benefits for many companies

31-05-2023

Luxinnovation, in partnership with several partners, creates several solutions that assist different groups of companies to become more sustainable. We examine some of the existing sustainable solutions and others in the pipeline.
Read more

Applying for EIC Accelerator funding: How to succeed

30-05-2023

The EIC Accelerator is one of the most prestigious and attractive, but also one of the most competitive, funding instruments of Horizon Europe for individual start-ups and small companies developing and scaling up game-changing innovations. Three former Fit 4 Start participants who have received funding shared their best advice about do’s and don’ts at the Fit 4 Start Alumni event held on 25 May 2023.
Read more

Focus on the new "zero-emission vehicles" aid scheme

25-05-2023

Follow our webinar (in French language) on Tuesday 13 June , from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., to learn all about this new funding scheme.
Read more

All news

Close