Carbon-containing raw materials are vital resources for the industry and underpin the wealth of numerous nations. A transition towards a circular carbon economy can enable carbon to be retained in the system rather than be emitted as climate polluting CO₂ upon combustion/incineration and/or landfilling. This however requires a change from business-as-usual and a coupling of the energy, chemical, engineering, waste management, recycling and other sectors (e.g. processing, lightweight construction and renewables). 

To facilitate intersectoral dialogue and collaboration, the Network for a Circular Carbon Economy (in German: Netzwerk Kohlenstoffkreislaufwirtschaft i.e. NK2 Network) was initiated in 2019 by Fraunhofer IMWS and IEC, TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The NK2 Network provides a neutral platform for information exchange, knowledge sharing as well as intersectoral and international networking. Aim is to identify and address socio-technological-economical-ecological-political issues associated with the transition towards a circular carbon economy via workshops, experience exchanges, trainings and conferences, and to actively engage diverse stakeholders from industry, science, politics and civic society and contribute to socio-political dialogues about associated opportunities and challenges.