How organisations perceive and implement Circular Economy (CE) is a complex issue and is influenced by several factors such as local contexts. For example, previous research has showed that in general companies lack knowledge and skills about CE. So, further research is necessary about how people from different organisations perceive CE. Perception means the image and level of knowledge that they have about it, but also the benefits that they perceive from the adoption of circular strategies as well as barriers that hinder the implementation. The objective of this research was to identify the perception and understanding of representatives from water-intensive industries and bio-based sector regarding CE concept. The methodology was based on a survey and interviews with the representatives from 10 companies in Halland, Sweden. The main results are that CE is understood mainly as concerned with environmental dimension. Economic benefits are perceived as the main benefit from the incorporation of circular strategies. The main barriers are lack of financial resources; time availability; lack of interest of stakeholders and their awareness about circular matters; and high complexity of CE view or lack of information and technical knowledge. In general, the results indicate that although they consider CE important and perceive many potential benefits from it, there is still limited involvement of companies in Sweden with CE implementation.