Business Area Circular Economy Business
Together with its partner Renovit, WEPA sets up a smart community with the University of Cassino.
WEPA Ventures is investing in a biomaterials start-up that develops packaging materials.
Growth through the circular economy
In a world in which resources are becoming scarcer and waste volumes are increasing, we take the initiative: we develop pioneering business models that combine economic and ecological opportunities. Through strategic partnerships and targeted investments, we reconsider how we produce, consume, convert and reuse resources – along the entire WEPA value chain. With a passion for transformation we are working towards a resilient economy based on circular principles. Discover how we are actively shaping change and opening up new perspectives.
WEPA Ventures start-up investmentsRenewable energy infrastructureCircular economy business models
With WEPA Ventures, we make targeted investments in start-ups that develop innovative technologies for a sustainable transformation. Our involvement allows us to identify trends at an early stage and actively shape the future of the circular economy. We thus open up new growth areas and, as family venture capital, support tech pioneers in scaling their revolutionary ideas into successful business models at international levels.
We develop and invest in independent renewable energy infrastructure projects that drive decarbonisation and strengthen the competitiveness of WEPA in the long term. Our focus is on innovative, scalable energy solutions that combine environmental responsibility with economic efficiency.
Developing business models for the
circular economy
We identify untapped market potential and use it to develop scalable, commercially successful initiatives for the circular economy – both within WEPA and in collaboration with partners from other sectors. The focus is on partnerships such as joint ventures, in which we initially invest in order to establish innovative business models on the market together with strong partners. In doing so, we focus on the following topics:
Renewable and circular fibres
Upcycling of secondary raw materials
Industrial water cycles
Sustainability
Responsibility for future generations
As a family-run business, we think in terms of generations, not quarters: economic stability is the foundation that makes environmental and social progress possible in the first place – and our responsibility towards our employees, the continued existence of our company and society has been with us for more than seven decades. The focus here is on the use of resources: by 2030, at least 60 per cent of the products we sell are to be made from recycled fibres and non-wood-based virgin fibres (2025: 31.82 per cent); the production of our recycled fibres requires up to 78 per cent less energy than the wood-based virgin fibres used at WEPA.
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From paper sludge to purpose: Circular production with HONEXT® fiberboards
Honext Material and WEPA have jointly established the joint venture Honext × WEPA GmbH, which is providing fresh impetus for circular production in Europe: it forms part of the WEPA Business Unit Circular Solutions, established in 2024. Under the HONEXT® brand, a new generation of fibreboards is being developed which are certified to Cradle to Cradle® Gold and the Material Health Certificate™ Gold Level 4.0, whilst also impressing with their design and high functionality.
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