Page contents Page contents JRC research activities on circular resource management investigate how circularity can play as an enabling factor for the green transition and contribute to industrial competitiveness and economic security. Developing policy measures that support the circular economy requires sound scientific insights, as well as a clear understanding of the possible socio-economic and environmental impacts at stake. Here is where JRC provides indispensable scientific support to policy making, with its state-of-the-art assessment methodologies and involvement of stakeholders, based on the Sevilla process, as well as intensive collaboration with other European Commission departments.Delivering science to support circular economy policies JRC circular resource management team conducts advanced research that inform and support the development of EU policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience, competitiveness, fairness, and sustainability of the European Union's economy through increased circularity. The team’s work centres on delivering evidence‑based scientific input, through knowledge generation, technical proposals, and policy recommendations to support policy making, including:- assessing the quality of secondary raw materials- evaluating the sustainability of circular‑economy initiatives- analysing the potential for resource re-use and recycling- defining circularity requirements so waste can effectively be recycled- modelling environmental and socio‑economic impacts of circularity- pinpointing challenges and opportunities for progressing toward a circular economy. Selected circular resource management projects End-of-waste: boosting the market for secondary raw materialsDesign-for-Recycling for packagingClosing the phosphorus loopTreatment requirements for waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)All projects The potential of circular economy A circular economy can contribute to EU competitiveness by reducing resource dependencies and making EU markets more resilient to external shocks, while respecting nature and people’s health. Its benefits include:Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Circular economy practices could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in sectors such as plastics, steel, aluminium, cement and concrete. Improved materials management — including reduction, reuse and recovery measures — could help EU industry reduce between 189 and 231 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year.Improving the EU’s trade balance: Beyond environmental benefits, circular economy strategies have the potential to substantially improve the EU’s trade balance by reducing the import of raw materials and fossil fuels.Realising circular economy potential requires establishing a Single Market for secondary raw materials, increasing the supply of high-quality recycled materials and stimulating demand for these materials in the EU are all means to achieve that. As the world around us is evolving, circular economy legislation needs to be updated to keep pace with the latest technological and societal developments and ensuring a smooth and effective transition to enhanced circularity. More information on JRC circular resource management work CompetenciesThe JRC Circular Resource Management team possesses a blend of scientific expertise and policy support capabilities that are crucial for advancing the EU's circular economy objectives.Key elements of our research methodology include:Data analysis & product system modelling – collect, clean and validate data on industrial processes and economic activities from literature, statistics and industry; apply Material Flow Analysis and Life‑Cycle Assessment to quantitatively map material and energy flows and evaluate environmental impacts across the value chain.Cost-benefit assessment & economic modelling – conduct cost‑benefit and techno‑economic analyses, complemented by macro‑economic input‑output modelling to capture both detailed technical performance and economy‑wide repercussions.Stakeholder engagement – organise workshops, surveys and expert panels to enable technical discussions and concensus building with stakeholders, gather structured feedback and ensure the relevance of the findings.This approach enables to develop environmental and techno-economic research studies and analysing the links between circularity, sustainability, and economic performance.The teamThe circular resource management team consists of enthusiastic researchers, including early career professionals, post-docs and seasoned experts, who are keen to work on interdisciplinary research for policies that support the circular economy transition.Our expertise spans the technical, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions of the circular economy. We have a proven track record in applying quantitative and qualitative scientific methods to assess and design policies that ensure that the value of materials is maintained throughout their life cycle. We are a collaborative team, working closely with colleagues from other fields in the JRC, policy directorates-general of the European Commission, industry associations, NGOs, universities and experts from Member States.The JRC Recruitment Portal provides information on job opportunities for temporary staff for the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. Completed projects, news and resources Circular resource management projectsSee our list of active and completed projectsPublications and newsSee the list of publications and news on circular resource management. Related links Further information on how the JRC supports policies on circular economy and raw materials is available at:Product policy analysisEuropean Platform on Life Cycle Assessment (EPLCA)Raw Materials Information System (RMIS)
