Ahead of their attendance at Sustainability Live, taking place on the 6th November, the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) and the Henry Royce Institute (Royce) recently joined industry leaders in an dynamic virtual round table to discuss key drivers of the circular economy.
Sustainability Live is the UK’s premier event for sustainable transformation across industries. Attendees will have the chance to benefit from keynote lectures, interactive workshops and extensive networking opportunities. As sponsors, CEAMS and Royce came together for a virtual round table where they explored one of sustainability’s central themes: circularity.
The circular economy model promotes the reuse, recycling, and regeneration of materials, offering substantial benefits for sustainability, such as resource conservation, waste reduction, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Circularity principles are foundational to sustainable materials design, and CEAMS and Royce are deeply committed to advancing these principles.
The virtual roundtable in September featured three panellists: Dr. Tom McDonald, Research Analyst at Royce and Reader in Sustainable Materials at the University of Manchester; Dan Noakes, Systemic Challenge Lead – Circular Economy, CPI; and Rob Snaith, Principal Consultant, Circular Economy, Ricardo.
Each panellist shared unique insights, exploring various topics such as Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), which are a valuable resource for validating sustainable materials innovations. LCA is a systematic method for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with every stage of a product’s life cycle and provides crucial insights that can help to drive the circular economy forward.
Royce recognises the value of LCA and has employed it in numerous projects, including those led by CEAMS. Reflecting on the importance of LCA, Dr. Tom McDonald noted:
“It’s important to look up and down the supply chain and consider all aspects of sustainable materials from manufacture to recycling. For any collaborative projects with industry, we will try to always build in an LCA perspective.”
The panel also highlighted opportunities for businesses to collaborate with research institutions and local governments to advance circular economy initiatives. CEAMS, in particular, works closely with businesses in the Greater Manchester area, helping them address challenges related to sustainable materials and manufacturing. Further information on how CEAMS is actively supporting businesses can be found here.
To watch the full virtual roundtable and gain deeper insights into the drivers behind the circular economy, click here.
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Join CEAMS and the Henry Royce Institute at Sustainability Live this November!
Explore the latest advancements in circular economy and sustainable materials with industry leaders and innovators. Connect with experts from CEAMS and Royce to learn how your organisation can incorporate circular principles for lasting impact. Reserve your spot today to be part of the conversation on sustainable transformation.
