On December 4, the Sweden-China Circular Economy Seminar was successfully held in Shanghai, highlighting innovation and standardization in the field of circular economy. The event was co-organized by the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing and the China Association of Circular Economy (CACE), with support from Shanghai Center for Energy-Saving and Emission-Reduction Co., Ltd. and the Shanghai Association of Circular Economy. CACE is one of the longstanding partners of Pioneer the possible in China.

Nearly 80 representatives from government agencies, research institutions, and enterprises in China and Sweden attended the seminar, underscoring the importance of global collaboration in advancing the circular economy.

Amb. Marie-Claire Swärd Capra, Consul General of Sweden in Shanghai, opened the seminar with remarks emphasizing the pivotal role of the circular economy in sustainable development. She noted Sweden's leadership in this area and the promising prospects for bilateral cooperation between Sweden and China.

Mr. Gao Rundong, Principal Staff at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), shared insights into China's policies, practices, and achievements in promoting the circular economy. Similarly, Mr. Zhao Kai, Executive Vice President of CACE, reflected on two decades of China's development in this field, highlighting the necessity of international collaboration to advance policies, technology, and awareness.

Mr. Anders Wijkman, a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and previous Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations , contributed a video presentation detailing European approaches to circular economy initiatives. He emphasized the EU's Green Deal, which aims to transition from a linear to a circular economic model while reducing fossil fuel reliance and improving resource efficiency.

The seminar featured an enterprise-sharing session where Han Bo, SKF (China) Lubrication Competence Centre Manager , presented SKF's RecondOil technology. This innovative solution allows for deep purification and recycling of lubricants, significantly reducing carbon emissions.

The event also included a dynamic roundtable discussion moderated by Li Bin of Donghua University. Participants include Ms. Ada Hu from Volvo Cars, Mr. Alex Gu from Alfa Laval, and representatives from Jiangxi GEM Resources Recycling and CSMET Yichi, they discussed key drivers for circular economy growth. The panelists identified customer demand, policy support, industry collaboration, and consumer education as essential to advancing this global effort.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Amanda Alkemark, Regional Manager of Government Affairs, East Asia & Pacific, at Business Sweden, stressed the importance of innovation and standardization within this field. She called for continued collaboration between China and Sweden to develop innovative solutions and achieve a sustainable future.

The seminar was followed by a visit to the headquarters of Ouyeel in Shanghai. Company representatives from Sandvik, Volvo Cars etc. engaged in a roundtable discussion with Ouyeel management, exploring opportunities for cooperation in material recycling and reuse.

The event demonstrated the strong potential for Sweden-China collaboration in the circular economy, providing a platform for exchanging ideas and fostering partnerships.