Over time, humanity—especially in industrialized countries—uses more natural resources than the planet can provide. The circular economy presents a significant opportunity for more sustainable production and consumption. To explore this, the “Meet the Circular Economy” lecture series returns for its fifth year at RWTH during the 2026 summer semester.
Throughout the series, representatives from leading companies will share their sustainability strategies and discuss the real-world challenges of creating and implementing circular and bio-based processes. The event is open to students from all disciplines as well as the general public. The series culminates in an “Innovation Challenge,” where student teams will compete to propose solutions to the participating companies’ most pressing challenges.
After each lecture, attendees are invited to stay for informal discussions and networking.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Sandra Venghaus (Economics of Sustainability Teaching and Research Unit)
+49 24180 90963
venghaus[at]sustainability.rwth-aachen.de
Time and place: Tuesdays 16:00-19:00, Lecture Hall MetP1 (Bldg. 2181, R. 102), Kopernikusstraße 14, 52074 Aachen
www.socecon.rwth-aachen.de/en/lehre/meet-the-circular-economy
©Forschungszentrum Jülich
The first session focused on the circular economy in the chemical industry. Dr. Stefanie Eiden presented Covestro’s concept for the circular use of high-performance polymers, which encompasses not only the development of enzymatic, chemical, and pyrolytic recycling processes but also the establishment of new value chains and partnerships. Wolfgang Köster explained WEPA’s approach to manufacturing hygiene products from recycled paper instead of wood and to recycling paper fibers multiple times. Sustainability is addressed throughout the entire production process, for example through the company’s own solar and wind farms. At WEPA, too, establishing economic partnerships—such as with the food retail sector—plays a central role alongside the development of technical processes.
About BioSC
Contact
Imprint
Data protection
© BioSC
BioSC-Geschäftsstelle
c/o Forschungszentrum Jülich
52425 Jülich
biosc@fz-juelich.de
