Circular Lab
The circular economy offers promising approaches to address the challenges of climate change, pollution, and resource waste. 70% of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by our conventional use of resources - the circular economy can contribute to a 40% reduction here. Therefore, the circular economy is an essential part of addressing these crises. Implementing circular economy means closing and slowing down resource cycles. To do this, business models must be renewed, product designs and manufacturing processes must be changed, and cross-company ecosystems must be established. Digital technologies are used for the necessary transformation of Business and Management processes towards sustainability. The Lake Constance region is a four-state economic region with great potential for the circular economy, as most products and resource flows are produced and processed supraregionally.
Sustainable Business and Management through Circularity
The Circular Lab aims to create circular products in cross-company ecosystems in two core industries/sectors of the Lake Constance region: the textile industry and the agriculture and food industry. The interdisciplinary consortium is working on circular solutions on the one hand and on Business Administration implementation strategies on the other. The research team is developing recommendations for action, strategies and action plans to provide impetus to other industries and transform the region in the direction of a sustainable circular economy in the long term. In addition, the population is informed about the latest findings and involved through participatory activities.
International and interdisciplinary consortium
To achieve these goals, different expertise from science and Business and Management is needed, which is realized by the cooperation of the partners:inside from the different regions of the Lake Constance area in the Circular Lab. The Lab unites everything under one roof, systemically processed and practically applied to companies, municipalities and society. Research is conducted at the micro level (products, SMEs/companies, consumers), the meso level (networks and symbioses) and the macro level (community, cities, Lake Constance region). Scientists from six universities (UNISG, OST, ZHAW, FHV, HSAS, DHBW) work together with selected innovative companies from the region: Freitag lab.ag, Everve GmbH & Co. KG, Verdunova AG and Conorti AG, Landwirtschaftliches Zentrum Salez as well as heimaten.
The Circular Lab networks various actors in the region, thereby creating regional added value: "With the Circular Lab, we would like to bring research and Business and Management into a joint exchange on the topic of the circular economy and at the same time also significantly strengthen the regional and international networking of all actors." Steffen Finck is convinced as head of the Lab.
What challenge of the four-country region does the Lab want to work on?
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Missing vehicle for cross-company and cross-industry collaboration and implementation of the Circular Economy (focus: textile and agricultural & food industries)
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Need for regional and cross-regional economic cycles and ecosystems to implement closed material cycles (incl. reduction of resource waste)
What are the goals of the Lab?
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Innovate and partner with companies to implement circular economy and circular business models
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Establish as a platform for exchange between companies, universities & public
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Conducting cross-border public events, raising awareness and training for the circular transformation of Business and Management
When is the Lab successful?
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Construction of a platform on circular economy for exchange between enterprises, universities and the public
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Successful implementation of events, trainings and pilot projects
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Contribution to the promotion of the circular economy in the region
Who are the partners:inside from science and practice?
- Universities: UNISG, FHV, HSAS, OST, ZHAW, DHBW
- Practice partners:inside: Freitag lab.ag, Everve GmbH & Co. KG, Verdunova AG and Conorti AG, Agricultural Center Salez, home
Funding program/client:in
Facts
| Project name |
Circular Lab |
|
Funding program/client:in |
Interreg Alps-Lake Constance-High Rhine (ABH) |
| Project duration |
01.06.23 - 31.05.27 (48 months) |
|
Total project budget |
4.009.584,10 EUR
EFRE 984.545,52 EUR CH: 1.184.337,44 EUR |
|
Share FHV |
757.980,40 EUR |
