Considering the planet's ecological boundaries, the use of natural resources is still too high, especially in the industrialized countries. One of the global sustainability goals is therefore to create a shift towards sustainable production and consumption patterns. The circular economy offers a great opportunity to achieve this goal. Its innovative approaches are already being implemented in companies.

The public lecture series will provide first-hand information on the opportunities and challenges of developing and implementing circular or biobased processes. In addition to students and university members from all faculties, all interested private citizens are cordially invited to discuss innovative sustainability concepts of the circular economy in corporate and product development together with companies and businesses. The event language is German.

This year's kick-off event on April 15 focused on the circular economy in the chemical industry. Dr. Wulf Klöckner presented Covestro's sustainability strategy with the core elements of renewable energy, recycling and alternative raw materials and identified collaboration with academic research as a key to success. Dr. Lisa Weigand from the Mitsubishi Chemical Group began with a more general look at the role of the chemical industry in the circular economy before presenting her company's approaches and priorities. An important topic in both presentations was the difficulty of recycling composite materials and the associated need to design products from the outset in such a way that recycling of the individual components is planned for and made possible.

Lecture overview

Summer semester 2024 | Mondays | 16:00 - 19:00
Lecture hall TEMP 1 | Temporary lecture hall building at Republikplatz 6 (near C.A.R.L.), 52072 Aachen

The event will be held in German.
Admission is free, registration is not required.
The lectures are followed by an opportunity for informal discussion.

April 15
Kreislaufwirtschaft in der Chemieindustrie (Circular economy in the chemical industry)
Wolf Klöckner, Covestro
Lisa Weigand, Mitsubishi Chemical Group

April 29
Kreislaufwirtschaft als neues Geschäftsmodell (Circular economy as a new business model)
Lilith Lauk, Henkel
Alicia Conen, Schüco

May 13
Unternehmensgründungen in der Kreislaufwirtschaft (Start-ups in the circular economy)
Salvatore Lachina, Bioweg
N.N., Triple Solar

May 27
Nachhaltigkeit im Bauwesen (Sustainability in the construction sector)

June 03
Soziale Innovationen in der Kreislaufwirtschaft (Social innovations in the circular economy)
Lina Helgers, Circular Food Chains, Stadt Aachen

June 17
Nachhaltigkeit in der Mobilität (Sustainability in mobility)
Lennart Nübel, Remondis
Klaus Ruhland, Mercedes

July 01
Politik und Kapital für die Kreislaufwirtschaft (Policy and capital for the circular economy)

Contact: Prof. Dr. Sandra Venghaus | +49 24180 90963 | venghaus[at]socecon.rwth-aachen.de

More information on the teaching module:
www.socecon.rwth-aachen.de/en/lehre/meet-the-circular-economy/

Photos: Forschungszentrum Jülich