Thematic investing

Circular Economy

The Circular Economy is about doing more with fewer resources – improving efficiency, cutting costs, avoiding waste and strengthening supply chains. As these priorities become business critical, demand for circular solutions is accelerating across industries; the circular economy sits at the center of this shift.

  • 25

    trillion EUR, annual value lost to waste in the linear economy1

  • 165

    billion tonnes of global materials used annually by 20502

  • 80%

    share of environmental impacts determined at the product design stage3

Why invest in the circular economy?

The circular economy is evolving from a sustainability concept into a business imperative. As companies face rising input costs, supply-chain disruption, geopolitical uncertainty and resource constraints, the ability to produce more with less is becoming a source of competitive advantage.

Technology is the key enabler of this shift and AI is becoming the great accelerator and scaler. From predictive design and smarter manufacturing to automated quality control, asset optimization and more resilient supply chains, digital tools are helping companies improve productivity, reduce inefficiencies and capture more value from the resources they use.

Ironically, uncertain environments are making the circular economy theme even more relevant.

More about the strategy

Robeco’s Circular Economy strategy takes a broad, global approach to the theme – looking well beyond recycling and waste management. It targets companies providing higher-value, upstream solutions that help customers design better products, improve manufacturing efficiency, extend asset lifecycles and reduce resource intensity.

This creates exposure across technology, industrials, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, food, materials and environmental services – making the strategy more diversified than a narrow environmental theme.

AI and automation are accelerating and scaling these circular solutions, from smart manufacturing and predictive maintenance to supply-chain optimization, materials innovation and intelligent infrastructure. The strategy captures these trends through a globally diversified set of providers with a focus on mid-cap companies ranging from niche technology leaders to innovative fast followers across sectors.

Once a ‘nice-to-have’, circular solutions are increasingly a business imperative.

Circular Economy D USD

performance ytd (30-4)
17.29%
Performance 3y (30-4)
20.89%
morningstar (30-4)
5 / 5
SFDR (30-4)
Article 9
Dividend Paying (30-4)
No
View the fund
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The value of the investments may fluctuate. Annualized (for periods longer than one year). Performances are net of fees and based on transaction prices.

Footnotes

1Deloitte, Global Circularity Gap Report, April 2026
2UNEP, Global Environment Outlook, December 2025
3European Commission, Circular Economy accessed May 2026

Celebrating five years of investing for healthy returns and a healthy planet

The Circular Economy strategy is coming full circle

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