231Mt of CO2 potentially avoidable in heavy industries thanks to circular economy (JRC report)

Between 189 and 231 Mt eqCO2 of emissions saved per year thanks to circular economy development in heavy industries: that is the amount of emissions that could be avoided, according to a JRC (Joint Research Center) published on 03/10/2025.

The steel and plastics sectors lead in emission savings potential, with 64 to 81Mt of CO₂ equivalent per year for the first and 75 to 84Mt of CO₂ equivalent per year for the second. The other industries assessed are aluminium, cement & concrete and plastics. Today, these five sectors weigh around 15% of the EU’s total emissions.

The report includes recommendations aimed at policymakers to implement circular economy:
• improve materials management, including reduction, reuse and recovery measures.
•use of technologies to improve the quality of recycled materials, reducing the use of resources through more efficient design
•steer market demand via Green Public Procurement instruments.

CO2 emissions saved thanks to circular economy: a comparison between two scenarios (business-as-usual vs Circular Economy)

The JRC report is based on two scenarios …