ERDE at Agritechnica 2025: Circular Circular Economy in Agriculture in Practice

Hanover, 9–15 November 2025 – At Europe’s largest agricultural trade fair, the ERDE initiative will once again demonstrate how circular economy principles work in practice. At Stand D14 in Hall 27, the team – together with participating manufacturers, agricultural traders, contractors, farmers and colleagues from ERDE Switzerland – will showcase how agricultural plastics are brought back into the raw material cycle.

Making Responsibility Visible

Throughout the trade fair, ERDE will provide information about the collection, sorting and recycling of agricultural plastics – from silage films and stretch films to asparagus films and other fractions such as nets, twine and fleece. The goal: to demonstrate how voluntary commitment from manufacturers, contractors and farmers can create a real environmental impact.

“We want to show that circular economy in agriculture is no longer just a vision, but already a lived reality – through collective action, we can achieve measurable effects on our environment,” says Boris Emmel, ERDE System Manager.

A Successful System That Brings Everyone Together

Last year, nearly 40,000 tonnes of agricultural plastics were recycled through ERDE. By collecting and mechanically recycling these materials, 37,258 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents were saved.
This is only possible thanks to close cooperation among all stakeholders:

Manufacturers finance the system, agricultural traders and contractors handle the collection, farmers deliver the materials, and recycling partners ensure reprocessing. In this way, valuable raw materials are preserved and reintroduced into the cycle.

“ERDE proves that voluntary responsibility works – when all actors work together, circular economy becomes reality,” adds Dr Laura Müller from the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V. (Germans Industrial Association for Plastic Packaging)

Looking Beyond Borders & On-Site Exchange

For the first time, ERDE Switzerland will also be represented at the stand and invites visitors to a Swiss Apéro on 10 November (registration via www.erde-schweiz.ch).
This joint appearance demonstrates how knowledge can be shared and structures harmonised across borders – an important step towards a European-wide circular economy.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the system in action, ask questions and learn about new projects. Those interested are welcome to schedule a meeting in advance: info@erde-recycling.de | info@erde-schweiz.ch

The team will be available throughout the fair for discussions with manufacturers, farmers and all partners.

Conclusion

With its presence at Agritechnica, ERDE underscores one key message: Circular economy in agriculture only works together. Through voluntary commitment, transparency and partnership-based collaboration, the return of agricultural plastics into the raw material cycle becomes visible, measurable – and already a reality.

Contact

ERDE Initiative
Boris Emmel, System Manager
emmel@rigk.de 
+49 611 308600-20

IK Industrial Association for Plastic Packaging e.V.
Dr Laura Müller, Economic Affairs Officer
 l.mueller@kunststoffverpackungen.de 
+49 6172 9266-30