Slovenian companies step up their efforts to “reuse, recycle and repair”. A few examples; Steklarna Hrastnik, a producer of packaging glass, bases their strategy on the principles of circular economy: one third of the materials used by the company is already waste glass. Ekomineral produces building materials from metallurgical waste. Helios TBLUS , a part of Japanese Kansai Paint group, develops reactor systems for processing waste biomass into bio-based resins and coatings. Magneti uses waste magnets for the production of new permanent magnets. The Slovenian subsidiary of the Italian Aquafil group produces recycled plastics. Last year the company launched the pilot manufacturing of plant-based nylon-6 in its Ljubljana plant, the first of its kind. The choice of location is no coincidence, Aquafil Slovenia is also the group's important R&D centre dedicated to recycling technology.

Research oriented SMEs play an important role in the development of a circular economy. Acies Bio, for example, focuses on the re-use of byproducts created by the food industry. AlgEn develops algae-based systems for wastewater treatment and for food and pharmaceutical products. Several SMEs are dedicated to waste and wastewater management systems. In this area Slovenia is among the global leaders. Ljubljana’s waste collecting and processing systems are recognized as an example of a best practice and Ljubljana was the first EU capital committed to zero-waste goals. By 2025 75 percent of waste collected in the Slovenian capital and its surroundings will be recycled. The same year Slovenia will host the European Circular Economy Hotspot conference as a recognition of “the country’s commitment to advancing circular economy principles and its efforts in promoting sustainable development”.