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CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

FOR THE COMPANIES THAT ARE PART OF ECOEMBES

What is Circular Packaging Challenge

The Circular Packaging Challenge initiative is a European competition between startups linked to the field of the circular economy in which the most innovative and effective solutions will be sought to respond to two specific challenges in the field of packaging circularity.

Its main objective is to promote the connection between, on the one hand, packaging companies and businesses that are part of Ecoembes (hereinafter companies) and, on the other hand, the most innovative startups at European level that propose solutions that favour the sustainability of packaging.

Circular Packaging Challenge will also promote the development of pilot projects that serve to test and scale these new technologies and business models in a real environment and verify their potential.

Phases of the initiative

Circular Packaging Challenge will begin with the launch by Ecoembes of a call at European level to attract the best startups that can provide solutions to the two challenges posed. Through a scouting process, Ecoembes will carry out exploration, screening and recruitment of the most promising European Startups.

As of this moment, the companies will be able to participate in the three phases detailed below:

  • Phase 1. Evaluation: Ecoembes, together with the companies that wish to be part of this process, will evaluate the startups registered in the initiative based on the established evaluation criteria.
  • Phase 2.  Final networking event: the selected startups will be invited to participate in the event to showcase their solutions where they will also be able to interact with the companies that wish to attend them.
  • Phase 3. Pilot projects: after the networking event, the development of pilot projects will be promoted to validate the startups’ solutions. These projects can be of two types:
    • Open pilot projects (Ecoembes-companies-startups). Ecoembes will promote and finance at least two pilot projects with the startups that it selects, with the possibility that the companies that so wish may also join. The results obtained will be open and will be made available to all the companies registered in the initiative that request access to this information.
    • Pilot projects (companies-startups). Participating companies may develop pilot projects in the number and form they deem appropriate. If they so request, they can also receive advice from Ecoembes on the initial contact and a model contract, with Ecoembes not intervening in the execution or financing of these pilots between companies and startups. Once the project starts, the companies and the startups will be governed by the content of these agreements that they have reached regarding the financing of the pilots and the ownership of their results, among other elements.

Participating companies

All those companies that are part of Ecoembes are eligible to participate, as can be verified in the database published on the official website, (https://www.ecoembes.com/es/empresas/pones-productos-envasados-en-el-mercado/buscador-de-empresas), and that they are up to date with their legal obligations under the “Punto Verde” system.

Participation modalities

Companies may choose to participate in one or several phases of the initiative, obtaining the following benefits. 

  • Phase 1. Evaluation:
    • Receive the European dossier of selected startups, which will be a compendium of innovative technologies for packaging circularity in Europe.
    • Be part of the evaluation process of the startups, both in the Technical Commission and in the final Jury.
  • Phase 2. Final networking event:
    • Participate in the networking event with the selected startups where there will be expert speakers.
    • Exchange meetings between startups and companies will be held at this event.
  • Phase 3. Pilot projects:
    • Be an active part in the open projects promoted by Ecoembes and consult the results obtained in their execution.
    • To be able to lead and execute exclusive pilot projects in collaboration with the startups, with the support of Ecoembes in the ideation phase and the signing of agreements.

What challenges we pose

The challenges of the Circular Packaging Challenge in which the startups will compete are the following:

Challenge 1. Solutions for industry:

1.1. Ecodesign, sustainability, analysis and new tools for a more sustainable packaging.

1.2. Innovative industrial recycling and packaging technologies. Incorporation of recycled material.

Challenge 2. Citizen-packaging connection

2.1. Consumer & packaging.

2.2. Digital technology for the traceability and identification of packaging and materials (blockchain, IoE, AI, others).

Registration and deadlines

Companies that wish to register can access the initiative’s website (https://challenges.gocircular.es/challenge/packaging/inscripcion-empresas) and register by selecting the phases in which they wish to participate.

The following deadlines are established for companies to register depending on each phase:

Phase 1. Evaluation: until April 13, 2022.

Phase 2. Final networking event: until October 7, 2022.

Phase 3. Pilot projects: until November 18, 2022.

If these dates need to be modified or extended, they will be announced through all Circular Packaging Challenge communication channels.

At the time of registration, companies accept these conditions of participation, as well as the privacy and confidentiality policy of Circular Packaging Challenge.

Promoter of the initiative

The promoter of the Circular Packaging Challenge is Ecoembalajes de España SA, forming a transversal initiative in this organization in which the Department of Innovation, the Department of Companies and, as managing entity, TheCircularLab innovation centre based in Logroño participate. 

Confidentiality and privacy policy

At the time of registration, companies agree to the Circular Packaging Challenge privacy (https://packagingchallenge.thecircularlab.com/en/personal-data-protection/) regarding the receipt of information on the progress of the initiative. In accordance with this policy, there is a right to access, modify and delete the data contained in the registration form. Ecoembes, as well as its suppliers, will in no case make any private data public or share it with third parties. 

At the same time, the companies that participate in phase 1 of Evaluation, will accept at the time of registration the commitment of confidentiality of the documents, information and content of the private meetings that are held and in which confidential information of startups from European countries is evaluated.

Companies that are part of Ecoembes, that register as a collaborating company, may consent or reject at the time of sending the online registration form that both their logo and their name be displayed on the website and in the dissemination activities of the Circular Packaging Challenge initiative. In no case will the data of the contact person who makes the registration be published. 

None of the person participating in the communications within the framework of this initiative may make public the conversations and messages exchanged, nor may the information or documentation exchanged be shared with third parties or entities, being at all times private and confidential. For such purposes, “Confidential Information” shall be understood as all information, in oral, written, electronic, digital format and/or in any other type of support, communicated by Ecoembes, the Companies or the startups, whether or not it has been qualified as reserved or confidential, within the framework of this initiative.