EIB Sets Record Support for Circular Economy at WCEF 2025

EIB Sets Record Support for Circular Economy at WCEF 2025

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) is actively participating in the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, sharing its long-standing commitment to financing circular economy projects. With over €5.1 billion lent to circular economy projects from 2020-2024, including a record €1.4 billion in 2024 alone, the EIB continues to support a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing economic resilience. Notable projects funded include loans for innovative companies like Swappie and Fairmat. The EIB also revealed its plan to double financing for critical raw materials (CRM) projects, including circular solutions, to €2 billion annually. Throughout WCEF 2025, the EIB will lead and participate in multiple sessions, advocating for the adoption of circular solutions across the globe.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 14-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank (EIB) will actively participate in the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 (WCEF 2025) from 13-16 May 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, and online globally. Hosted by Finland and the Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra), WCEF is one of the premier events dedicated to the circular economy, focusing on making production and consumption more sustainable by extending the life cycle of materials, resources, and goods.

This year’s forum will delve into the challenges hindering sustainable growth and highlight critical areas where circular solutions are urgently needed. As one of the largest multilateral providers of climate and environmental finance, the EIB will present its financing and advisory services aimed at supporting the circular economy transition.

The EIB will also spotlight the role of circular economy solutions in securing the supply of strategic materials and the value of implementing projects across entire supply chains.

Record Support for Circular Economy Projects

“We are accelerating our backing for the circular economy to align with the European Union’s decarbonisation strategy, which places circularity at its core,” stated Ambroise Fayolle, EIB Vice-President. “In the last five years, we have committed over €5 billion to finance 153 circular economy projects across various sectors. These initiatives are crucial for preserving valuable materials, enhancing resilience, boosting competitiveness, and minimizing environmental and climate impact.”

In 2024, the EIB hit a record €1.4 billion in financing for circular economy projects, part of a total of €5.1 billion allocated from 2020 to 2024. Noteworthy funded projects include a €17 million loan to Swappie, Europe’s largest iPhone refurbisher, €25 million in venture debt financing for Fairmat, a French firm pioneering carbon fibre recycling, and a €75 million loan aimed at improving solid waste management in Benin.

EIB’s Strategy on Critical Raw Materials

Earlier this year, the EIB’s Board approved an action plan to further support critical raw materials (CRM). The action plan sets an ambitious target to double annual financing for CRM-related projects, including circular solutions, to €2 billion. It also introduces a CRM Task Force, a dedicated one-stop-shop for CRM operations, and a new focus on building partnerships and technical expertise in this crucial area.

Join EIB Experts at WCEF 2025

Vice-President Fayolle will lead the EIB’s participation in the opening plenary panel on 13 May. In total, EIB experts will contribute to over 10 sessions throughout the event. Attendees on-site can visit the EIB’s stand at the OCA in São Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park on 13-14 May.

For further inquiries or interview requests, please contact our press team.

Learn More About EIB’s Circular Economy Support

Visit the EIB’s circular economy page for more information on how the bank is driving innovation and sustainability through its financing and advisory services.

Background information  

EIB

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the European Union, and the capital markets union.

The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.

Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

Media Contact:

Vanessa Paul
v.paul@eib.org
+352437984331

Press Office
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SOURCE: European Investment Bank