Circomod’s work presented at ScarCyclET Workshop on material strategic risk and Circular Economy

On June 25, 2025, Julie Metta (Tilburg University) presented Circomod’s research “Beyond protectionism: Circular Economy policies as a geopolitical strategy for sufficiency and equity” at the closure ScarCyclET workshop held in Montpellier (France). The event was part of the ScarCyclET project funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), which investigates material scarcity and recycling strategies for the energy transition. The workshop gathered leading intenrational scholars from institutions such as VU Amsterdam, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, BRGM, TSE, PSE and Polytechnique Montréal. Topics ranged from critical raw material strategies and recycling incentives to supply chain vulnerabilities and the role of circularity in energy transition planning.

The study presented by Julie explores how circular economy policies can serve as a strategic alternative to protectionist trade measures, reducing material dependency while promoting environmental sustainability and global equity. Using the Green-R CGE model applied to CO2, iron and steel and enhanced to include endogenous material intensity, the research assesses how CE-focused tools reshape global material flows and offer a more cooperative and sustainable path to strategic autonomy.

The participation in the ScarCyclET workshop offered peer feedback, insight into the latest developments in the field, and opportunities for networking and future collaboration. Julie’s presentation sparked engaged discussion and received interesting input for improving and further valorizing her work.