On October 31, 2025, the Cradle-ALP project officially comes to an end. Over the past three years, this initiative has paved the way for an industrial transformation in the Alpine region, guided by the principles of cradle to cradle (C2C). Its mission was clear: to replace fossil-based, chemically intensive, or unsustainable materials with circular, biodegradable, or recyclable alternatives, and to lay the foundation for a more resilient, sustainable, and innovative economy.
At the heart of Cradle-ALP stand the industrial transformation roadmaps for five strategic value chains – chemicals and materials, polymers and composites, packaging, textiles, and wood and furniture. These roadmaps are not just vision statements; they are practical guides with timelines for short-term (2024-2025), mid-term (2026-2028), and long-term (2029-2033+) measures. They provide companies, policymakers, and support structures with concrete pathways for moving from linear to circular models.
After developing these roadmaps, we moved towards their practical implementation through pilot activities with more than 130 SMEs across the Alpine region. Using tools such as Life-Cycle Assessment, Circularity Compass, Lego Serious Play, Sustainable Business Model Canvas, and Quick Scan, these pilots translated the roadmaps into concrete action. They highlighted both opportunities and barriers – from regulatory uncertainty and communication gaps to the limited resources of smaller companies. At the same time, they showcased the strong commitment, creativity, and determination of Alpine SMEs to drive the transition towards a circular and resilient industrial future.
The success of Cradle-ALP is rooted in its partnership. Research institutions, business support organizations, regional authorities, and industrial players from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Switzerland worked hand in hand. This strong cooperation enabled the development of roadmaps, tools, and pilots, while also creating a platform for knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration.
Although the project formally closes, its results are meant as a beginning. The roadmaps provide a clear direction for future efforts: urging companies, policymakers, investors, and civil society to ensure that products are no longer designed as waste, but as resources that return safely into value chains or ecosystems. Cradle to cradle is not just a concept – it is a design principle, an innovation strategy, and a responsibility to rethink how we make, use, and reuse everything around us.
Everyone has a role to play. Companies can experiment with new technologies, business models, and collaborations. Support organizations can provide tools and networks. Policymakers can create the conditions that encourage circularity and innovation. Consumers can demand sustainable solutions and accelerate change. Together, the Alpine region can become a model for circular transformation across Europe.
We would like to sincerely thank all partners, companies, institutions, and stakeholders for their dedication, collaboration, and creativity. With the roadmaps and pilot actions in place, Cradle-ALP has shown that transformation is possible – and that circular industry can move from vision to reality. Let us carry this spirit forward: innovate, collaborate, and build an economy that respects nature, thrives on circularity, and creates value for generations to come.
