Dominik Patzelt, Director of Business Development at VCG.AI, recently appeared as a guest on the Circular Coffee Break podcast.
Together with host Michael Hanf, he discussed how VCG.AI is leveraging AI and big data to transform industrial by-products and side streams into valuable resources—helping industries develop and implement circular economy practices.
Drivers of Circular Economy Innovation in Companies
At the 14:00 timestamp, they discuss the key drivers behind circular economy innovations in companies.
They highlight several factors, including increased competition from other regions, which is driving the need for businesses to diversify their product portfolios and optimise their processes. Another major factor is innovation, as more companies seek to develop new materials and improve sourcing strategies. Additionally, regulatory requirements play a crucial role in promoting circular economy adoption.
“I want more circular or bio-based materials. Where can I get them from? And which technologies can help me to derive my product—so I can sell the same product, but in a more circular way? How do I do this? Where can I purchase the by-products?”
Two Sides of the Same Coin
At the 15:20 timestamp, Michael Hanf discusses how solutions like VCG.AI are essential for connecting companies with different circular economy needs and challenges:
“An interesting point, because it actually goes in both directions. It goes into the direction of I have the waste, I want to get rid of it in a sustainable way.
But it’s also the other way around. I want to use a sustainable material as a feedstock, as an input to my production. Where do I get the material? What is the material I could actually be using?
So it’s actually on both sides that you can help in finding the right material, finding the right partners, finding the right ecosystems.”
You can listen to the full episode on Spotify, pod.link, or read the article on the Circular Coffee Break Website.
