“Tech and Spaces for Circular Economy”
The "Tech and Spaces for Circular Economy" project explores the potential of innovative technologies and spatial concepts for accelerating and implementing a circular economy in Berlin and other regions.
Working from Adlershof, Germany’s leading science and technology park, we will map and connect stakeholders in the fields of Optics, Photonics and Material Sciences (OPM).
The aim is to identify new areas of application for OPM technologies in order to promote them as drivers for circular practices in various sectors and industries.
To this end, Circular Berlin e.V. and Creative Climate Cities will work together with WISTA Management GmbH to strengthen the development of new collaborations along the value chain.
The challenge
Circular strategies such as resource-efficient design and production, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling are often hindered by technical or physical hurdles which make these activities too expensive or difficult to carry out. Luckily, the latest advances in Deep Tech in the fields of Optics, Photonics and Material Sciences (OPM) are creating new possibilities for improving industrial processes in several sectors.
Examples include the use of lasers to separate battery cells from one another to enable reuse and recycling, the application of biochar as advanced material for construction, and the use of near-infrared LED light to sort garments for recycling.
However, we currently lack an understanding of the possibilities for cross-sector ‘pollination.’ This makes it difficult for relevant actors along the value chain to connect and explore opportunities for circular collaboration. Berlin Adlershof hub shows great potential for exploring this untapped potential and fostering new connections and collaborations.
Our approach
The project aims to identify new circular applications for OPM technologies across industries, to connect relevant actors, such as technology providers, end users, and industry representatives, and to enhance circular collaborations in different industries. We’re also aiming to increase awareness and visibility of circular solutions, business models, and practices in Berlin and beyond.
The planned project activities will unfold in 3 phases:
PHASE III
Scaling the Dots
The knowledge and insights gathered will be shared with the broader Berlin community. In order to raise awareness and understanding of the opportunities offered by the circular economy, Berlin-based circular businesses will be invited to share their lessons-learnt in a series of lunch-time webinars.
The outcome
A comprehensive analysis of industry stakeholders present at the science and technology park at Berlin Adlershof and of local OPM technologies as well as their potential to advance circularity in other economic sectors.
Two series of interactive events: one targeted at the relevant stakeholder group to enhance circular cross-collaborations and foster capacity-building activities, and one aimed at Berlin-based innovators, professionals, and entrepreneurs for awareness-raising purposes.
Participating companies
Tech and Spaces for Circular Economy is a joint project of the two companies Creative Climate Cities and Circular City - Zirkuläre Stadt e.V. (Circular Berlin).
Circular City is an open, non-profit initiative that accelerates the transition of the Berlin metropolitan region to a circular economy. Through knowledge and community building activities, pilot projects and educational programmes, the local circular economy agenda is being shaped and material flows within the region are being redeveloped. Circular Berlin works very closely and primarily in cooperation with the Berlin Federal Ministries for the Environment and for Economic Affairs as well as with the local ecosystem of companies and start-ups involved in the local circular economy - focussing on sectors with high resource consumption and circular potential: textiles and fashion, construction, urban development, product and material design, technologies as well as food and biomass.
Creative Climate Cities is an agency for digital urban development. We work at the interface of urban development, climate adaptation, digitalisation and visual communication. We initiate and support transformation processes towards a resource-saving and liveable urban future. We connect technologies, spaces and people, drawing on interdisciplinary expertise from the fields of data strategy, urban planning, circular economy and innovation management. Our services are used by federal ministries, municipalities, public utilities, cooperatives and neighbourhood developers.
