The way we produce, use and manage resources is undergoing profound change. Circular economy approaches and the use of bio-based materials offer pathways to reduce environmental pressures, lower carbon emissions and decrease dependence on finite resources. At the same time, these transitions require new technologies, innovative processes and forms of cooperation across entire value chains. If not carefully designed, they may also create new dependencies, inequalities or unintended environmental trade-offs.
At ZSI, we investigate the transformation of resource and production systems in various contexts such as industry, construction, regional development and value chain innovation in society. Our work explores how circular principles and bio-based solutions can be implemented in practice – from material recovery, sorting and upcycling to the development of new products and the integration of these innovations into society. We also examine the role of digital technologies, such as data platforms and traceability systems, in enabling more transparent, efficient and circular resource flows across the life cycle.
