The demands of climate change require us to think how we can replace manufacturing’s linear production models of make, use and dispose with circular economy principles. The manufacturing sector is now focusing on its crucial role in conserving resources, eliminating waste, and transitioning into more regenerative business models where repairing, reusing, and recycling products replaces simply disposing of them.
IFC’s 3rd Global Manufacturing Conference focused on circular economy, the business and climate cases for making this an integral part of economic development in emerging markets, and practical steps for getting this done.
More than 400 participants from 50 countries, among them leading manufacturers, investors, and circular economy experts, were able to learn from each other’s experiences, discuss innovations in the field, and network for new partnerships. Highlights of the Nov. 16-17, 2021 conference are below.
PANEL 1:
Policies and Regulations for Circular Economy
Discussing specific country examples of regulations that improved or created the environment for investments in material-use reduction, product reuse or refurbishment.
Institutions represented in the panel:
- Circular Economy Office of Chile Ministry of Environment
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- Global Cement Association
PANEL 2:
Design for Circular Economy
Looking at specific examples of product design that reduce material footprint, improve product reuse or renewal, and promote design-for-end-of-life.
Institutions represented in the panel:
- Inditex
- Colgate
- Schneider Electric
- Arup
PANEL 3:
Supply Chains and Value Chains for Circular Economy
Discussing how a company’s supply chain or product’s value chain can be analyzed to find opportunities for circular economy initiatives.
Institutions represented in the panel:
- Lenzing
- Indorama Ventures Ltd.
- City of Cape Town
- Global Battery Alliance
PANEL 4:
Sustainable Manufacturing and Circular Economy
A conversation highlighting cases where sustainable manufacturing practices have been implemented to promote a circular economy.
Institutions represented in the panel:
- Rider Steel Kumasi
- Plastic Energy
- Gerber Technology
- Data Prophet
PANEL 5:
Circular Economy, Labor and Manufacturing
An exploration of the ways in which labor skills and job specifications in manufacturing have changed or will have to change to implement circularity in manufacturing.
Institutions represented in the panel:
- ILO
- Renewcell
- HM
- École des Ponts Business School
- World Bank
FIRESIDE CHAT:
The Necessity of Circular Economy
Fireside chat with circular economy expert Dame Ellen MacArthur, moderated by Stephanie von Friedeburg, IFC’s Senior Vice President for Operations
FIRESIDE CHAT:
Dealing with Supply Chain Disruptions
Fireside chat with Sreenivas (Sree) Ramaswamy, a former McKinsey partner and currently a senior policy advisor to the US Secretary of Commerce, moderated by Vivek Pathak, IFC Director, Global Head Climate Business
CLOSING REMARKS
By Tomasz Telma, IFC Senior Director, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services