{"id":10755,"date":"2025-09-23T13:44:54","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T11:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/empact-impact-circles-2-a-bridge-between-science-and-practice\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T22:48:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T20:48:13","slug":"empact-impact-circles-2-a-bridge-between-science-and-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/insights\/empact-impact-circles-2-a-bridge-between-science-and-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"Empact Impact Circles #2: A bridge between science and practice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last week Empact organized the second Impact Circles, on Circular Transitions. A small and inspiring meeting with clients and partners, with the goal of connecting business and science in a meaningful way. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More than 26 different forms of circularity<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prof. Arno Kourula opened our eyes to the huge variety of circular business models. He has already mapped more than 26 of them, but even that number is only the beginning. His stimulating questions left no one unmoved:   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Is the <a href=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/circular-economy\/\">circular<\/a> economy just a passing trend? How do we look beyond the obvious solutions? What is the best way to shape circularity? And how do we make sure we really start thinking in systems?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/our-consultants\/\">Anne Rademaker of Empact<\/a> shared her in-depth vision of a decade of circular economy. Her observation was apt: ideas have grown tremendously, but the economy itself has not yet kept up that pace. Still, she is hopeful: better business models, more engaged people and stronger regulations will make the circular shift inevitable in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"10748\" src=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Anne-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Anne-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Anne-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Anne-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" data-id=\"10744\" src=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Arno-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Arno-2-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Arno-2-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Arno-2-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"10750\" src=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Breakout-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Breakout-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Breakout-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Breakout-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"10746\" src=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Martin-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Martin-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Martin-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Martin-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Martin-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Martin-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"10752\" src=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Afbeelding-van-WhatsApp-op-2025-09-19-om-08.44.48_76dfc9b3-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Afbeelding-van-WhatsApp-op-2025-09-19-om-08.44.48_76dfc9b3-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Afbeelding-van-WhatsApp-op-2025-09-19-om-08.44.48_76dfc9b3-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Afbeelding-van-WhatsApp-op-2025-09-19-om-08.44.48_76dfc9b3-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Afbeelding-van-WhatsApp-op-2025-09-19-om-08.44.48_76dfc9b3-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/empact.nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Afbeelding-van-WhatsApp-op-2025-09-19-om-08.44.48_76dfc9b3-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<!-- nieuwsbriefblok --><div id=\"emp-nb-10755\" style=\"background:#f2f7f8;border-left:3px solid #2A7A8D;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:24px 28px;margin:32px 0;\"><p style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-size:1.1em;font-weight:700;color:#1B3A4B;\">Keeping up with new sustainability legislation?<\/p><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;color:#333;\">EmpCo, CSRD, PPWR, DPP: the rules change fast. In our newsletter we explain what changes, what it means for your organisation and which free tools you can use to check it yourself. A few times a year at most.<\/p><form action=\"https:\/\/tools.empact.nu\/nieuwsbrief\/api\/inschrijven\" method=\"post\" data-ok=\"Done! You're on the list. The next newsletter is on its way.\" data-err=\"Subscribing did not work. Try again or email info@empact.nu.\" style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;margin:0;\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"lang\" value=\"en\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"bron\" value=\"empact-impact-circles-2-a-bridge-between-science-and-practic\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_t\" value=\"\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"redirect\" value=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/insights\/empact-impact-circles-2-a-bridge-between-science-and-practice\/\"><div style=\"position:absolute;left:-9999px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><label>Fax <input type=\"text\" name=\"fax_number\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"nope\"><\/label><\/div><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" required placeholder=\"Your email address\" aria-label=\"Email address\" style=\"flex:1 1 220px;min-width:0;padding:12px 14px;border:1px solid #c9d6da;border-radius:6px;font-size:1em;background:#fff;\"><button type=\"submit\" style=\"background:#2A7A8D;color:#fff;padding:12px 24px;border:0;border-radius:6px;font-weight:600;font-size:1em;cursor:pointer;\">Subscribe<\/button><\/form><p class=\"emp-nb-note\" style=\"margin:10px 0 0;font-size:0.85em;color:#555;\">Free. Unsubscribe any time.<\/p><p class=\"emp-nb-msg\" style=\"display:none;margin:12px 0 0;font-weight:600;color:#1B3A4B;\"><\/p><\/div><script>(function(){var b=document.getElementById('emp-nb-10755');if(!b)return;var f=b.querySelector('form'),m=b.querySelector('.emp-nb-msg'),n=b.querySelector('.emp-nb-note'),btn=f.querySelector('button'),bezig=false;f.querySelector('[name=_t]').value=String(Date.now());function toon(t,goed){m.textContent=t;m.style.display='block';m.style.color=goed?'#1B3A4B':'#b4232c';}function klaar(){f.style.display='none';n.style.display='none';toon(f.getAttribute('data-ok'),true);}if(location.search.indexOf('nieuwsbrief=ok')>-1){klaar();}f.addEventListener('submit',function(e){e.preventDefault();if(bezig)return;bezig=true;btn.disabled=true;var fd=new URLSearchParams(new FormData(f));fd.delete('redirect');fd.set('email',(fd.get('email')||'').trim());fetch(f.action,{method:'POST',body:fd}).then(function(r){return r.json().then(function(d){return{ok:r.ok,d:d};});}).then(function(x){if(x.ok&&x.d&&x.d.success){klaar();}else{toon((x.d&&x.d.error)||f.getAttribute('data-err'),false);btn.disabled=false;bezig=false;}}).catch(function(){toon(f.getAttribute('data-err'),false);btn.disabled=false;bezig=false;});});})();<\/script>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical levers for change<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the working groups, participants explored concrete ways to accelerate the circular transition:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Collaboration for circular impact<\/strong><br\/>Scaling up circular solutions requires <a href=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/partners\/\">partnerships<\/a>. Platforms that link businesses are becoming increasingly important.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Changing behavior and culture<\/strong><br\/>Technical solutions alone are not enough. <a href=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/people\/\">Employees, customers and other stakeholders<\/a> must be included in the change.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital product passports<\/strong><br\/><a href=\"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/insights\/digital-product-passport-a-digital-identity-card-for-your-products\/\">Technology makes it possible to<\/a> track the entire life cycle of products. This creates transparency and new forms of value.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small steps, big impact<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An important insight: transition does not happen by big leaps alone. It comes through many small, deliberate steps that build momentum together. Steps that connect business insights with scientific knowledge.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ties in with what Tima Bansal and Julian Birkinshaw recently wrote in the <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2025\/09\/why-you-need-systems-thinking-now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Harvard Business Review<\/a>: to effect real change, we must see the big picture and act within it. Systems thinking is not only inspiring, it is necessary.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These Impact Circles reminded us why we believe so strongly in connecting business and science. It&#8217;s not just inspiring: it&#8217;s essential to making real impact. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last week Empact organized the second Impact Circles, on Circular Transitions. A small and inspiring meeting with clients and partners, with the goal of connecting business and science in a meaningful way. More than 26 different forms of circularity Prof. Arno Kourula opened our eyes to the huge variety of circular business models. He has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":10735,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[257],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10755"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11891,"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10755\/revisions\/11891"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empact.nu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}