An Exergy workshop – A Sustainable Transition: From a Linear to Circular Economy

At Warwick University, On October 9th, 2019, Exergy hosted a 3-hour afternoon workshop titled, ‘A Sustainable Transition: From a Linear to Circular Economy’.

By gathering circular economy innovators and pioneers, the aim of the event was to encourage sustainable attitudes amongst consumers and current initiatives that promote circular business models within the UK. The event proved to be very successful, with around 60 people in attendance. A total of 8 speakers (Oakdene Hollins, Microcab, Chip[S]board, Recono.me, Aldstone, Rype, Circular Economy Research Network, and Exergy) discussed the ways in which they have refined and implemented the concept of circular economy. These entrepreneurs and circular economy experts demonstrated their way of revolutionizing the traditional linear, unsustainable economic model within the UK.

Recono.me presents their circular processes of electrical waste
Recono.me presents their circular processes of electrical waste refurbishment.

Rethinking the current economy model

A key theme throughout the event was the increasing popularity and public acceptance of circular economy products and processes. For example, student-formed Chip[S]board presented their creative method of turning potato waste into a viable alternative to plastic and discussed growing product interest, particularly from the fashion industry. Following speakers then discussed topics surrounding the re-design of offices to reduce furniture waste, remodeling of electronics business models and the opportunity for zero-emission transport through an innovative hydrogen vehicle. Fernando Centeno, of Exergy, discussed our innovative approach to circular engineering, including the successful AgriMax project: A Horizon 2020 success story demonstrating the commercial feasibility of extracting high value compounds from agricultural waste. Additionally, using our Aiana Verde project as an example, Exergy demonstrated the need for (and practicalities of) embedding circularity into all aspects of everyday life. 

The presentations provided an exciting glimpse into the possible future of circular economy within UK business, yet underlined challenges surrounding the scale-up of technologies, maintaining cost-effectiveness and technology integration into common consumer behaviour. Despite this, discussions were incredibly positive and highlighted the need for consistent collaboration amongst circular innovators. The audience had the opportunity to gain inspiration through sharing their own ideas, businesses and technical challenges – both during the presentations and in the post-event networking opportunity.

Rype presents their solutions for circular offices
Rype presents their solutions for circular offices.

Exergy would like to thank all partners involved for an all-round successful event – for sharing their passion and motivation and for making this initiative possible. Collaborative events are vital in the drive towards the revitilisation of current, linear business models within the UK.

Agrimax has been selected as a Horizon 2020 Success Story for its contribution to the Circular Economy

‘Our aim is for AGRIMAX to become a flagship for the circular economy, where waste finds new applications in the sector that produced it, closing loops between primary production and reuse.’ Albert Torres, IRIS Technology Solutions, Spain

European Commission has selected Agrimax Project as a Horizon 2020 Success Story. The publication was released in February 2019 in ec.europa.eu.

This EU-funded Research Project will tackle the issue with Europe’s food waste problem by turning crop and food-processing waste into new bio-based compounds which, after the manufacturing process, will be used in the production of bio-products as bio-composite packaging for food, natural additives for food ingredients, fertilizers and biodegradable materials for the agricultural sector.

Did you know that in Europe alone, around 90 million tonnes of food and 700 million tonnes of the crop are wasted every year?

Designing and operating Biorefineries

The Agrimax project is currently in its 4th year. Exergy has played a key role in the design of two flexible pilot plants, one in northern Italy, which is almost ready to start processing waste from tomatoes and cereals, and another one in southern Spain which will process olive and potato waste.

Our Senior Process Engineer at Exergy, Musie Tekeste tells us why Agrimax has been chosen as a Research and Innovation success story:

“In my opinion two main factors have contributed to this choice: firstly, the ambitious objectives of the project and secondly, the great progress shown since the project started.”

What are these objectives and why do you think they are ambitious?

Musie: The aims of the project are very challenging. First, create value from agri-food waste, process it and produce innovative bio-based compounds for chemicals, food packaging and biodegradable materials for agriculture will rethink farming and agricultural sector and will help to meet the demand efficiently and sustainably.

Also, design, build and operate pilot plants that are capable of accepting multiple feedstocks and deploy an online stakeholder platform that will coordinate the provision of food waste from producers (farms and industries) across each region, will make the most of the bio-refinery and it will maximise their efficiency and profitability, as Albert Torres said in the article for ec.europe.eu.

Finally, developing a new long term business model for the use of waste is an important milestone as it will become an example of circular economy, where food waste finds new applications in the market. The bio-refineries built in this project will help to close the loop between waste generators (farmers and food industries) and final product generators (industries in the chemicals, food packaging and agricultural sectors). 

In your opinion, what is the Agrimax progress so far and why is key for this project to succeed?

Musie: The Italian plant is ready and the Spanish one is expected to be completed in 6 months. I think the completion of the Italian plant just after two and a half years of project is a great achievement considering the size and variety of the consortium, 29 Partners from 11 countries. It was very challenging, nevertheless the activities have been carried out and the flow of information is constant and effective.

In addition, the General Meetings have shown a consortium committed to successfully complete the project. 

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You might be interested

Agrimax Project: www.agrimax-project.eu

Agrocycle project: www.agrocycle.eu

BCIC 2015

The Bio-Composites in Construction international conference will be held on May 21st & 22nd 2015 at the Society of Chemical Industry in London. The conference will bring together both academics and industrialists from around the world to report and discuss the latest developments on topics incorporating the entire bio-composite value chain – from raw materials to finished products, from science to commercial realisation. The event is supported as part of the EU project, INNOBITE and is free for all participants.
Visit the site: www.bcic2015.com
BCIC welcomes potential interested speakers from both academia and industry to review the conference topics and submit an abstract for consideration (closing date for abstracts is Monday, March 9th 2015).
View the topics here
Registration for attendees will open at a later date but you can register your interest to receive notification of registration opening.