Partnerships for a circular future
A circular economy is dependent on collaboration. Ragn-Sells works actively to create long-term attitude changes towards a more circular economy where waste is treated as a sustainable source of raw materials. But we cannot do it on our own. Only strong partnerships can create sustainable value chains.
21 May 2024– In a linear economy, we are part of an industry that takes waste from several supply chains. But in a circular economy, there is no recycling industry, there are different material flows that will need collaboration and partnerships to keep the resource in circulation. When we build new value chains, we do it in partnerships, says Pär Larshans, Chief Sustainability Officer and Public Affairs Director
at Ragn-Sells Group.
Ragn-Sells’ way of approaching sustainability is to identify trends and global challenges where our solutions can contribute to solving a societal problem. That is how we grow and keep developing our business. And for changing entire value chains, we need partners.
– Currently, the private sector is pushing the development towards a circular economy. Policies are way behind with a narrative that still focuses on minimising waste, instead of seeing waste as a sustainable source of raw materials, says Pär.
Pär Larshans, Chief Sustainability Officer and Public Affairs Director
at Ragn-Sells Group.
One example of private sector partnerships leading the way, is the cooperation in the International Chamber of Commerce, the ICC. In 2023, the ICC published the report “Key enablers for a circular economy”, with main recommendations for the transition towards a circular economy, which Ragn-Sells contributed greatly to.
– Two of the pronounced wins for circularity in 2023 are the increased focus on planetary boundaries in policy development, and that the final text from COP28 introduced circularity as an important tool to reduce climate impact. The push from the private sector, such as the ICC report, most likely had a great impact on this outcome, continues Pär.
One major global sustainability challenge is to make the food value chain sustainable. The current food value chain causes 25% of global emissions and effects several of the planetary boundaries in a negative way. To feed a growing planet in a sustainable way is a massive challenge. That is why we focus on nutrients and circular solutions for phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Long-term, our mission is to ensure that people have food and housing within the planetary boundaries.
– During 2023, we initiated a partnership for sustainable agriculture production with Friesen Group of Companies. It has the ambition to enable us to sell recycled phosphorus as a circular nutrient to Canada. It is one excellent example of how partnerships elevate our innovative technologies into solving a global challenge, concludes Pär.
In 2023, Ragn-Sells also established a team in Brussels with a physical office. This will help enormously with strengthening the necessary alliances and our ability to influence relevant legislative processes, rules, and regulations in support of circular material flows.
– A circular economy is about collaboration. If you try to win by yourself, you will definitely lose, ends Pär Larshans.
