This paper describes mainly the approach and results from a project “Polcirkeln” within the research program RE:Source, funded by three Swedish agencies: the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Formas. Polcirceln has studied the current situation and possible future effects of various measures for a circular economy. Among others, the EU's proposed policy package for a circular economy has been studied. A selection of today's flows of products, materials and waste constitutes a starting point and challenges and possible effects on material flows and sustainability have been formulated and analyzed based on experiences and views from different actors in the value chain (mainly from industry), and other experts. Methods used in the study are e.g. interviews, web-surveys, workshops and scenario analysis.

The importance of Policies moving towards a more holistic approach to achieve more circular flows has been stressed by all stakeholders in the study described in the paper. Instead of dividing activities, obstacles and opportunities between waste, materials, production and consumption, a holistic approach should be introduced in the analysis of the challenges and designing of solutions. Another main finding is that a change to a Circular Economy needs an increased and developed cooperation between companies and other actors along the value chain, thus there is a need to develop policies in order to support the new improved ways for cooperation