CGW GmbH has received the special "Cooperation" prize as part of the NRW Prize for Resource Conservation awarded for the first time by the Efficiency Agency NRW (efa) for setting up the Alliance for the Future of Tyres (AZuR), of which NEW LIFE is also a member. Together with over 90 partners, the AZuR network is committed to a climate-friendly, economically viable circular tyre economy in NRW, Germany and Europe. AZuR promotes sustainable innovation and networking in North Rhine-Westphalia. Network coordinator Christina Guth and Kristiane Guth (CGW) accepted the award in person from Environment Minister Oliver Krischer on 4 November 2025.
Under the motto "Circularity wins!", the Efficiency Agency NRW (efa) awarded prizes on the evening of 4 November to four companies from NRW that are pioneers in resource conservation and transformation with circular products, services and business models. "The award winners show that Those who conserve resources and close cycles protect the climate and are therefore economically successful. This is precisely our goal in North Rhine-Westphalia. We are opening up new markets through environmental protection and are leading the way to becoming Europe's first climate-neutral industrial region," said NRW Environment Minister Oliver Krischer.
Circular business models - innovation for climate protection and competitiveness
With the new NRW Prize for Resource Conservation, the Efficiency Agency NRW (efa) is continuing the renowned NRW Efficiency Prize, which has been awarded regularly since 2000. The further development focuses even more strongly than before on circular approaches - from recycling processes and digital solutions to social resilience. "Circular products and business models not only contribute to environmental and climate protection, but also ensure the competitiveness of companies in NRW. With the new NRW Resource Conservation Award, we want to make these pioneers visible and motivate others to follow similar paths," emphasised Dr Peter Jahns, Head of efa.
NEW LIFE Network Coordinator and CGW Managing Director Christina Guth was delighted to receive the award: "We are proud that our commitment to the Future Tyre Alliance has been recognised in this way. Our aim is to re-establish tyres as a valuable resource in society and to build a sustainable, circular tyre economy in Europe together with our partners. The award is an important confirmation and motivation at the same time."
Honoured: AZuR success model for a circular economy in practice
The jury of the NRW Resource Conservation Award recognises the AZuR project as a model of the circular economy in action: "The AZuR network impressively demonstrates how cross-sector cooperation can work. With its broad range of partners, its interdisciplinary dialogue and its consistent focus on ecological and economic goals, it makes an exemplary contribution to resource conservation and climate protection. This convinced the jury," emphasises Dr. Martin Kuhne, member of the management of the NRW Consumer Advice Centre and jury member of the NRW Resource Conservation Award.
The efa warmly congratulated CGW GmbH on the award, recognising an innovative network project that significantly advances circular business models in business and society.
A film portrait of AZuR was shown at the award ceremony: https://youtu.be/SkJHYSj0S-Y