What type of materials does the technical loop of the circular economy focus on?

The technical loop of the circular economy primarily focuses on product components. In this model, the aim is to maintain the value of products and materials within the economy for as long as possible, minimizing waste and resource consumption.

By concentrating on product components, the technical loop emphasizes the importance of designing products that can be easily disassembled, reused, or recycled. This approach ensures that materials are continually cycled back into the production process rather than being discarded at the end of their initial lifecycle. The use of durable, modular, and easily recyclable components helps reduce reliance on raw materials and reduces environmental impact, which are fundamental principles of the circular economy.

In contrast, while raw materials, waste materials, and packaging materials are essential aspects of the broader circular economy, they do not encapsulate the specific focus of the technical loop, which is primarily concerned with how products are structured and how their components can be reused or repurposed within the production systems.