In view of the ecological stress limits of our planet, the consumption of natural resources is still too high, especially in the industrialized countries. Thus, one of the global sustainability goals is to create a shift toward 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 fourth “Meet the Circular Economy” lecture series once again invites companies (global players, medium-sized companies, but also SMEs and start-ups from the region) to discuss innovative sustainability concepts in corporate and product development with students. They will report first-hand on the opportunities and challenges involved in developing and establishing circular and bio-based processes. The lecture is open to the public; anyone interested is welcome to attend.
Innovation Challenge for students
The lecture series will be followed by an Innovation Challenge for the second time. All speakers will set tasks for the students that deal with current challenges being faced by their companies. On July 8, the student teams present their solutions and are evaluated by a jury.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Sandra Venghaus | +49 24180 90963 | venghaus[at]socecon.rwth-aachen.de
www.socecon.rwth-aachen.de/lehre/meet-the-circular-economy/
Time and place: Tuesdays 16:00-19:00, Lecture hall TEMP1, Republikplatz 6, 52074 Aachen
After the lectures, there will be the opportunity for informal discussions.
The presenting companies will be announced in the course of the semester.
The event is held in German.
The first event focused on the circular economy in the chemical industry. Dr. Wolf Klöckner from presented the sustainability strategy of Covestro with the core elements of renewable energy, recycling and alternative raw materials. The company has developed processes for recycling polyurethane and a bio-based production of aniline, which is currently in the scale-up phase to industrial scale. Dr. Balint Simon from the Mitsubishi Chemical Group began by discussing the fundamental role of the chemical industry in a sustainable economy before presenting his company's approaches and focal points, such as the development of new composite materials based on both biomass and recyclates or a complete recycling process for carbon fibre materials for the automotive industry. An important topic in the discussion was the problem of how used materials can be systematically returned for recycling.
At the second event, Wolfgang Köster and Carl-Luis Rieger from WEPA spoke about circular economy as a new business model. The family-run tissue paper manufacturer WEPA is one of the few in the industry to use waste paper as raw material instead of wood, as well as alternative sources such as miscanthus more recently. With its own solar and wind parks as well as investments in start-ups, e.g. in the field of renewable energies and water treatment, the topic of sustainability is addressed throughout the entire production process. Particularly important challenges are the multiple recycling of paper fibers as part of a cascade use and the acceptance of recycling-based tissue paper by the customers.
On May 13, the focus was on start-ups in the circular economy. Marcel Kunz presented the company TripleSolar, which offers heat pumps that are integrated into photovoltaic panels. This saves the outdoor unit otherwise required for heat pumps. Interest in the technology has risen sharply since it was reported on YouTube in 2023. Marius Wenning presented the company Omnivore Recycling, which uses the black soldier fly to recycle food waste from supermarkets. This takes place decentrally in modular containers installed at farmers' premises. Farmers can feed the larvae to animals as a source of protein and use the larval excrement as fertilizer. Three pilot plants are currently being planned in Germany.
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