From Policy to Progress: Agata Kotkowska on Accelerating Europe’s Circular Economy
At the recent Tech Tour Circular 2025 in the vibrant and sustainability-driven city of Ghent, we welcomed some of Europe’s most influential voices in circular innovation. Among them was Agata Kotkowska, Deputy Head of Circular Economy Sustainable Production and Consumption at the European Commission and a leading figure in EU sustainability policy whose decades-long career has bridged the public and private sectors to advance a circular economy across Europe.
In this exclusive interview, Agata shares her perspective on the urgency of circular transformation, the EU’s latest regulatory milestones, and the vital role of innovators and investors — like those gathered at Tech Tour Circular — in bringing systemic solutions to market. Her insights offer a clear roadmap for startups looking to align with and accelerate Europe’s Green Deal ambitions.
TT: You’ve spent over two decades shaping EU sustainability policy and building bridges across public and private sectors. What inspired your journey into circular economy policy, and why is this transformation so urgent today?
AK: My journey into circular economy policy was deeply influenced by my academic background in economy and my early professional experiences in sustainability initiatives. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the pressing need to transition from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a more sustainable, circular approach. The urgency stems from the escalating environmental challenges—resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Embracing a circular economy is not just an environmental imperative but also an economic opportunity to foster innovation, resilience, and competitiveness in the EU.
TT: The EU has been a global leader in promoting circularity. From your perspective, what are the most significant policy tools or initiatives currently driving circular innovation and investment in Europe?
AK: The EU’s commitment to circularity is evident through several key legislative frameworks:
- Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): Entered into force in July 2024, this regulation establishes a comprehensive framework for setting ecodesign requirements for products, aiming to improve their durability, reparability, energy performance and recyclability. It also introduces Digital Product Passports to enhance transparency and traceability of products throughout their lifecycle.
- EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles: Adopted in 2022, this strategy addresses the environmental and social impacts of textile production and consumption. It sets forth actions to ensure that by 2030, textile products placed on the EU market are durable, repairable, and recyclable, and are produced in a manner that respects social rights and the environment.
- Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive: Entered into force in March 2024, this directive enhances consumer rights by ensuring better information on product durability and reparability. It also aims to protect consumers against greenwashing by banning misleading environmental claims.
- Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): Entered into force in February 2025, this regulation aims to reduce packaging waste and promote the use of recyclable and reusable packaging solutions. It sets specific targets for packaging reduction and mandates the use of recyclable materials in packaging design.
- Clean Industrial Deal: Launched in February 2025, this initiative focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of EU industries while promoting sustainability. It mentions “circularity is a priority”. It aims to increase the circular material use rate to 24% by 2030 and fosters a circular economy through investments and regulatory frameworks.
These initiatives collectively reinforce the EU’s commitment to a circular economy by setting clear regulatory frameworks, promoting sustainable product design, and empowering consumers. They also provide significant opportunities for startups and investors to engage in and contribute to the EU’s sustainability goals.
TT: One of the core strengths of the circular economy movement is collaboration across industries and stakeholders. What role do you see for startups and investors—like those gathering at Tech Tour Circular—in accelerating the EU’s Green Deal goals?
AK: Startups and investors are pivotal in translating circular economy concepts into tangible solutions. Startups bring agility, innovation, and fresh perspectives, often pioneering disruptive technologies and business models. Investors, on the other hand, provide the necessary capital and strategic guidance to scale these innovations. Platforms like Tech Tour Circular facilitate these connections, fostering collaborations that can accelerate the EU’s Green Deal objectives by bringing groundbreaking solutions to market more rapidly.
TT: Many of the technologies presented at Tech Tour Circular focus on biomanufacturing, circular plastics, and water reuse. Which of these innovation areas do you believe hold the most promise for large-scale systemic change in the next five years?
AK: All three areas are vital, but biomanufacturing stands out for its potential to revolutionise production processes by utilising biological systems to create sustainable materials. Circular plastics are essential to address the pervasive issue of plastic waste, promoting recycling and the use of alternative materials. Water reuse technologies are increasingly critical in the face of water scarcity, enabling efficient water management. Collectively, advancements in these areas can drive significant systemic change, contributing to resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.
TT: Many startup founders attending Tech Tour Circular are eager to understand how their innovations align with the EU’s long-term vision. Could you share the key pillars of the EU’s circular economy, and how entrepreneurs can plug into it?
AK: The EU’s circular economy is built upon several key pillars, which provide a framework for entrepreneurs to develop sustainable and innovative businesses that contribute to a more circular economy. The main ones are:
- Sustainable Product Design: Encouraging the creation of products that are durable, repairable, and recyclable.
- Empowering Consumers: Providing information to make sustainable choices.
- Circular Economy Processes: Promoting resource efficiency and waste reduction in production and consumption.
- Waste Prevention and Management: Implementing measures to minimize waste generation and enhance recycling.
Engaging with EU funding programs, participating in innovation networks, and adhering to regulatory frameworks can further integrate entrepreneurs’ innovations into the broader EU strategy.
TT: You gave your keynote in Ghent, a city with its own sustainability legacy. What message are you most excited to share with the founders, investors, and experts that attended Tech Tour Circular this year?
AK: During my intervention, I emphasized the critical role that innovation and collaboration play in advancing the circular bioeconomy. Ghent’s commitment to sustainability serves as an inspiring backdrop, showcasing how local actions can contribute to broader EU goals. I aimed to encourage attendees to leverage their unique strengths, foster partnerships, and remain steadfast in their pursuit of sustainable solutions that can drive systemic change across Europe and beyond.
As we reflect on two impactful days at Tech Tour Circular 2025, Agata Kotkowska’s keynote reminds us that policy, innovation, and capital must move together to create meaningful change. Her message — delivered in the heart of Ghent’s thriving sustainability ecosystem — underscores the power of collaboration in building a truly circular economy.
We thank Agata for her thought leadership and ongoing dedication to shaping a more sustainable Europe. For every founder, investor, and expert in attendance, her call to action is clear: stay bold, stay collaborative, and stay focused on the long-term impact circular innovation can achieve.
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