French and European industry is currently facing an unprecedented accumulation of vulnerabilities: geopolitical tensions, volatility in energy and raw material prices, increased dependence on critical resources, and the already visible impacts of climate change. These vulnerabilities are putting pressure on supply chains and raising questions about the current industrial model’s ability to remain competitive and sustainable over the long term.
In this context, the linear model—extract, produce, consume, dispose—is reaching its limits. It exposes companies to structural risks and is no longer capable of addressing the challenges of sovereignty, resilience, and economic performance.
The circular economy is thus emerging as a strategic tool for fundamentally rethinking how we produce and create value.
It was in this context that the Circular Industry Coalition was formed, led by Circul'R and CEA ISEC, with the support of the Directorate General for Enterprise (DGE). It brings together nine committed manufacturers: Alstom, Equans, Forvia, Legrand, Rexel, RTE, Safran, Groupe Seb, and Thales, united by a shared conviction: only a collective approach will enable us to address the systemic challenges facing the industry.
For a year, coalition members worked together to share their findings, pool their expertise, and develop a shared vision. This work helped identify the main risks associated with maintaining the linear model, as well as gain a better understanding of the barriers to implementing a circular economy on a large scale.
The report "Addressing Systemic Vulnerabilities: Building a Competitive and Self-Reliant Industry Through a Strong Circular Economy" is the result of this first year of collaboration. It offers both a shared assessment of industrial vulnerabilities and an operational roadmap to accelerate the transition to a strong circular economy.
Download the report
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