TOMRA Urges EU to Add Circularity to Aid Framework

TOMRA, a global pioneer in waste-sorting and resource recovery technologies, is spearheading a unified appeal from stakeholders across the circular economy sector to the European Commission. The coalition demands that circularity be embedded into the EU’s draft Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF), which currently lacks provisions for such measures despite its declared importance in the Clean Industrial Deal (CID).

The Clean Industrial Deal outlines circularity as one of its four foundational pillars, emphasizing its critical role in minimizing resource dependency, reducing environmental impact, cutting CO₂ emissions, and boosting competitiveness. However, stakeholders have raised concerns that the draft CISAF overlooks this vital component by omitting targeted financial support mechanisms for circular initiatives.

Bilyana Ignatova, Vice President of EU Public Affairs at TOMRA, emphasized, “The Clean Industrial Deal’s success hinges on comprehensive support for all its pillars. Failing to include circularity in CISAF risks undermining the EU’s own sustainability and competitiveness goals.”

The coalition—which includes leaders in recycling, resource management, and sustainable materials—argues that significant investments in circular infrastructure are essential to achieving the EU’s goal of increasing material circularity by 24% by 2030. They call on the European Commission to provide clear policy direction and state aid eligibility for circularity-driven projects.

Enabling financial support for circular initiatives will help the EU accelerate its decarbonization strategy, improve access to essential materials, and bolster industrial sustainability. It will also enhance strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on raw material imports, as reused and recycled materials are retained within the European economy.

This collective call to action underscores that equal treatment of all CID pillars, including circularity, is not only environmentally necessary but also strategically and economically crucial to the EU’s future.

About TOMRA:
Founded in 1972, TOMRA operates more than 113,700 systems globally in over 100 markets, delivering advanced collection, sorting, and recycling technologies. With €1.25 billion in 2024 revenue, TOMRA supports industries and communities in building a circular economy with minimal waste and maximum resource efficiency.