About TRACE
TRACE is a mission-driven association working to leave a positive trace on people and the planet through a circular economy where materials, products, and value chains are designed to circulate, not deplete.
We unite industry, academia, policymakers, and civil society to co-create the knowledge, collaborations, and proof of concept circular systems that make circular solutions work in practice, starting with plastics and textiles.
Towards a Regenerative Circular Society by 2050
As Pathfinder, Builder and Harmonizer, TRACE develops scalable circular systems that show how entire value chains can transform from design and production to reuse and recovery.
Through these efforts, TRACE helps accelerate Denmark’s transition toward a regenerative circular society by 2050, an economy that restores more than it extracts and enables people to live well within planetary boundaries.
The transition must be carried out in an ambitious partnership between companies and the most talented national and international researchers in close collaboration with authorities and the rest of society.
Turning Vision into Action
Since its establishment in 2022, TRACE has evolved into a strong platform for collaboration on circular solutions and innovation, supporting Denmark’s transition towards a regenerative circular society. Through a wide range of projects, TRACE has brought together companies, universities, public organisations, and knowledge institutions to develop new solutions to some of the most significant challenges within the circular economy.
Today, TRACE comprises a total of 45 projects, of which 13 have already been completed. Covering a broad range of themes, each project contributes new knowledge, innovation, and tangible results that support the transition to a circular economy.
Explore the themes below to learn more about TRACE’s projects, partners, and key results.
Plastics Textiles Common Collaborative Innovation A Path to Resilience
Why TRACE Matters for Europe
Circularity is key to EU resilience and the green agenda, but circular business models struggle to move from pilots to scale.
With more than 260 partners, TRACE provides a strong platform for research, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Ready for the next call?
A new call opens in the first half of 2027.
So far €50 million awarded to date to circular solutions
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