In the former ice hockey arena, where people used to cheer to quality performances, where talents played, teams fought for victories and the place vibrated with energy, the story of CirkArena follows and begins again. The new R&D Centre for the circular economy of the European level will bring attention to cities of Třinec and Ostrava and to the region, it will attract new talents and excellence, and the place will once again rush with energy.

The idea of the origin of CirkArena is based on the industrial history of the region and the current transformation of the regional economy. It is also a direct link to Europe’s climate goals and the move towards a low-carbon economy.

The results of CirkArena R&D activities will support the regional innovation ecosystem. They will help to exploit the potential of secondary use of raw materials stored in the region – industrial heaps, dumps and tailings ponds, which are the remains of heavy industry. The results of CirkArena R&D will contribute to the modernization and sustainability of enterprises in the region, reduction of the amount of waste, waste prevention, saving raw materials and so-called industrial symbiosis.

In June 2021, the CirkArena project was selected as one of the strategic projects of the Moravian-Silesian Region that will apply for funding from the Operational Programme Just Transition.