Helping SMEs make the digital shift to circular working
Manufacturing companies are under growing pressure to use raw materials more efficiently, reduce waste and comply with increasingly complex regulations. At the same time, many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle with the question: where do we start?
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To support these companies, TMC has developed the Digital Circular Working Roadmap in collaboration with Province of Noord‑Brabant and manufacturing entrepreneurs. The roadmap is a practical, step‑by‑step guide that helps SMEs connect digitalisation with smarter materials management and circular business practices.
From data to impact
Digitalisation plays a crucial role in circular working. When companies make better use of data, they gain insight into material flows, product usage and maintenance needs. This enables them to extend product lifecycles, reduce material waste and organise production more efficiently.
In practice, however, many SMEs face barriers. Data is often scattered across systems, spreadsheets or individual employees, while time and capacity for large IT projects are limited. The Digital Circular Working Roadmap is designed specifically with these challenges in mind.
A practical roadmap for SMEs
Rather than focusing on complex technology, the roadmap helps entrepreneurs take achievable, logical steps. It starts with a short assessment that shows where an organisation currently stands in terms of data and digital maturity. From there, it outlines clear next steps, such as improving data quality, gaining insight into material flows and applying digital solutions to areas like maintenance, inventory management and product lifetime extension.
According to Pepijn Rinzema, Project Manager Innovation Lab at TMC, the key is accessibility: “Many entrepreneurs want to work with data, but are hesitant because they associate digitalisation with large and expensive IT projects. This roadmap shows that you can start small and practical, while still creating real business value.”
Building resilient and future proof businesses
Smarter use of materials is not only about sustainability; it is also about resilience and long‑term competitiveness. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and rising raw material prices make it increasingly clear how dependent European manufacturing is on global supply chains. Circular working helps companies reduce this dependency while meeting regulatory requirements such as the CSRD and the upcoming Digital Product Passport.
As Suzanne Luiken, Policy Officer Circular Economy at Province of Noord‑Brabant, explains: “By gaining insight into material flows, maintenance and product usage, entrepreneurs can reduce waste and organise their production more intelligently. That is essential for a future‑proof economy in Brabant and beyond.”
Free and accessible
The Digital Circular Working Roadmap is available free of charge and is relevant for manufacturing SMEs across the Netherlands. It not only provides clarity and direction, but also points companies towards partners, programmes and support that can help them take the next steps.
