No one has been talking about Germany as a recycling world champion for a long time. But the question still arises as to where Germany is positioned in the circular economy in an international comparison. On the basis of patent applications, Prognos tried to answer this question on behalf of the Bertelsmann Stiftung with the study "Innovation Analysis of the Circular Economy".
The expansion of electromobility shifts industrial value creation towards batteries and critical raw materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and graphite, which are becoming strategic resources. Electric vehicles require significantly more mineral raw materials than combustion engines, which increases cost risks as well as environmental and social challenges in global supply chains. As a result, the previously linear battery value chain is reaching its limits. Recycling is an important solution component, but cannot cover the increasing demand for materials in the short term alone. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's report "Leading the charge: Turning risk into reward with a circular economy for EV batteries and critical materials" shows that a systemic approach is needed that combines recycling with battery design, use, secondary use and new business models.
Biogenic waste and residues are becoming increasingly important in the course of the transformation towards a climate-neutral circular economy. The report "Recycling of Biogenic Waste and Residues - Carbon Source, Bioenergy & Negative Emissions" by the German Biomass Research Center examines current developments, technological approaches and political framework conditions along the material and energetic recycling of biogenic residues and shows what role waste and recycling management will play in defossilization, resource efficiency and a circular bioeconomy in the future. The report was published in "Austrian Water and Waste Management".
During PROVADA, BouwLab R&Do and The Green Village will be providing the content programming for the Innovation Café. In collaboration with partners BPD, COD and VORM, and the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and the DMI Ecosystem, one central question takes the lead: how do we move innovation faster from idea to application?
The fiscal threshold for foreign pension funds and insurers to invest in the Dutch housing market must be significantly lowered. That is the view of Mark Siezen, CEO of asset manager Bouwinvest. 'Foreign capital is absolutely essential to meet the enormous housing construction challenge. That requires a stable housing policy and fiscal climate. I am hopeful: the new minister recognises this and will act on it.'
Following the earlier announcement of the launch of the International Investment Day, PROVADA now presents the full programme for Thursday, 11 June 2026. As the largest real estate exhibition in the Netherlands, PROVADA brings together leading market parties for a day of insights, discussion and networking. The newly introduced international investment programme—developed in collaboration with INREV, Holland Metropole and the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning—offers international investors direct access to key developments, policy perspectives and investment opportunities in the Dutch market.
Visiting PROVADA? Please be aware that it can get busy around the RAI. Due to multiple large events taking place at the same time, the RAI parking facilities often fill up early.
Fraudulent emails are currently circulating that falsely use the name of PROVADA.
At PROVADA 2026, the Ministry of Defence features prominently on the agenda as a new player in the real estate market. The increased focus on national security has made the spatial and housing challenge more urgent than ever. This places additional pressure on the already scarce space, capacity and resources in the Netherlands. The Ministry of Defence faces a substantial scaling challenge. New barracks, training grounds and supporting infrastructure must be delivered at pace. In doing so, Defence is growing into a defining client within the real estate and construction sector. The central question: how do we deliver this in a country where pressure on space and capacity is already at its limit?
