The Real Threat to EU Recycling: A Broken Value Chain

Europe may be recycling at scale, but without sufficient local industry to process recycled materials into viable products, Emil Pettersen says the circular economy remains more concept than reality.

Emil Pettersen is the founder of Reparell, a Scandinavian clean tech company dedicated to transforming waste streams into high-value industrial raw materials through decentralized, economically  scalable production systems. With over 20 years of experience in the tech and sustainability sectors, Emil specializes in bridging innovation with practical, market-driven solutions. His initiatives, including the #EndOfWaste project, focus on developing new business models that address critical gaps in Europe's circular economy by turning local waste into valuable resources. Emil is a frequent speaker at global sustainability forums and has been featured in leading publications for his work on recycling and industrial innovation.