Following an invitation from the European Commission (EC) delegation, EuChemS took part of the EC delegation to Chile on the topic of circular economy, a delegation led by Mr Daniel Calleja, the European Commission’s Director-General for Environment. Dr. Nicola Armaroli, Chair of EuChemS Working Party on Chemistry and Energy, was EuChemS´ representative at this mission that took place on 25 – 26 April 2016.

The key target of the Mission was to foster cooperation between EU and Chile companies in promoting sustainability through circular approaches. Chile´s main economical assets (agriculture, with the production of a large array of high quality products; mineral resources, particularly copper and lithium; and fish resources) are at risk under a traditional linear economic system, a factor that made this country a natural partner on this topic. EuChemS used this opportunity to make clear to both the Commission and companies from Chile and Europe that the chemistry community is essential in developing the foundations of a solid circular economy.