Luigi Apuzzo

The Economics of the Circular Economy: Evidence from Regional Analysis

The transition towards a Circular Economy (CE) represents a crucial pathway for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic development in the face of growing environmental and resource pressures. While extensive research has examined the environmental and technological dimensions of this transition, the economic foundations of CE and the territorial dynamics of circular innovation remain underexplored. This paper contributes to bridging these gaps by integrating an economic perspective on the circular transition with a regional analysis of innovation processes. Building on the literature on technological complexity, relatedness, and innovation systems, the study investigates how regional knowledge structures shape the capacity to generate circular innovations across European NUTS-2 regions. Using a novel automated patent landscaping approach applied to PATSTAT data, the analysis identifies and maps circular economy patents over time and across space. Within a Knowledge Production Function framework, it then explores the extent to which knowledge complexity acts as a key determinant of circular innovation. Preliminary evidence suggests that regions characterized by more complex and diverse technological portfolios are structurally better positioned to develop advanced circular solutions and to benefit from knowledge spillovers and related diversification processes. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the growing body of literature on circular economy and innovation systems, while providing policy makers with valuable insights to inform the development of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting the circular economy and innovation across various regions. These insights will consider regional capabilities and complexities, with the intention of supporting a more inclusive and effective circular transition throughout the European Union.

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