The SMART CIRCULAR PANAMA (SmarCiPan) project officially started on 15 July 2026. On 28 July 2026, the consortium—comprising RETech, Rodiek & Co. GmbH, OpenEyz, and cyclos GmbH—held its kick-off workshop to align on project objectives, strategic priorities, governance, and next steps. Over the next 24 months, the partners will work with key stakeholders in Panama to advance digital solutions for waste management and the circular economy.
At the heart of the project is SmAC (Smart AI Circular), an AI-supported decision-making tool designed for political and economic stakeholders. As a digital twin of Panama’s waste and circular economy system, SmAC will enable the mapping and analysis of material flows and the simulation of different policy, regulatory, and economic measures. The project will also support technology matching, investment preparation, and the development of pilot concepts that can be scaled through future investments and partnerships.
The workshop was joined by Alejandro Antonio Ferrer Zeimets from Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Panamá). The development of the project proposal and its implementation were also supported by Jan Stichweh, President of the AHK ZAKK – Cámara Alemana de Comercio e Industria para Centroamérica y el Caribe, the Cámara de Comercio e Industria Panameña Alemana (CAPA), and Kai Hessemer, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Panama.
The kick-off marks an important milestone in German-Panamanian cooperation, laying the groundwork for practical, data-driven approaches to support Panama’s transition towards a more sustainable circular economy.
- For more information: SMART CIRCULAR PANAMA: AI-powered EPR and technology adaptation for a forward-looking circular economy in Panama (SmarCiPan)
SMART CIRCULAR PANAMA (SmarCiPan) is a project funded by EXI.
