To develop the second Interdisciplinary Centre of Expertise of the UniGR, a project funded by Interreg VI A GR will be carried out from 2024 to 2028.
A strong identity
With a considerable industrial tradition in the field of steelmaking and new materials, the Greater Region is a remarkable ecosystem of players in research, training and innovation. The universities associated within the University of the Greater Region (Uni_GR) are positioned in the most important European and international networks (EITRawMaterials, World Materials Forum,...). Together with their research and innovation partners, they constitute a leading centre of expertise.
A challenge tailored to the Greater Region
The Green Deal identifies the development of a more circular economy as one of the major challenges of our time. This challenge can only be met through strong actions in the field of innovation and a redeployment of complete value chains across Europe, which will also reduce strategic dependence on other regions of the globe.
An approach that transcends borders
The CIRKLA initiative wants to develop a complete portfolio of projects in the field of education, research and innovation. The projects will be characterised by a multidisciplinary, intersectoral and cross-border approach. Indeed, the circular economy cannot be addressed solely from the angle of technological innovation. It must necessarily be accompanied by a reflection including the field of humanities. Similarly, the solutions developed in the laboratories must be accompanied by a renewal of training programmes and by the real potential ofreindustrialisation of the regional fabric. Finally, the scale of the Greater Region is probably the most relevant for collecting sufficient flows of interest to develop synergies across borders.
Clearly identified themes
The areas of research and innovation identified as priorities are:
Processing & Recycling: the development of innovative processes for the recovery of metals and the reuse of materials.
Materials & Product Design: the design of materials and products in the context of greater improvement of their repairability and recyclability.
Buildings as Materials Banks: the modular and sustainable construction of infrastructures in the effort ofensuring the reuse of spaces and materials.
These areas of innovation are complemented by cross-cutting approaches like:
Resources & Environment: securing the supply of strategic resources and assessing the environmental impact over the entire life cycle.
Circular Business Models: the development of new models adapted to the implementation of a more circular, shared and inclusive economy.
Consumer Behaviour & Social Acceptance: the development of a more temperate and responsible consumption as well as an awareness of the issues of resources and their recycling.
Contact: cirkla@uni-gr.eu
Event:
Materials and Metals in a Circular Economy, an opportunity for the Greater Region (01-06-2021)
- Public event in the frame of the EU Green Week (in DE/FR)
- Scientific Workshops (in English; UniGR-internal)