On track for circular manufacturing “Circularity Days” focus on the circular economy and sustainable materials
The international conference “Circularity Days”, taking place from 20 to 21 May, will focus on the concept of the circular economy and research into sustainable materials. Organised by Technische Universität Braunschweig in collaboration with the Volkswagen Group, the Fraunhofer Centre for Circular Economy in Mobility (CCEM) and Salzgitter AG, the conference will take place at the MobileLifeCampus in Wolfsburg and the Open Hybrid Lab Factory (OHLF) research campus. The event aims to strengthen knowledge exchange on the circular economy in production, present new industry research findings and provide cross-sector impetus.
The international specialist conference “Circularity Days” brings together researchers, practitioners and industry representatives to exchange ideas on innovative solutions for resource-efficient production.
“The implementation of circular processes in the manufacturing industry is of great strategic importance both for achieving sustainability goals and for securing the availability of raw materials. This year’s Circularity Days conference, taking place again at the joint OHLF research campus in Wolfsburg, will showcase solutions and provide impetus for future circular production technologies, methods and business models,” says Professor Klaus Dröder, Head of the Institute for Machine Tools and Manufacturing Technology (IWF) at TU Braunschweig and a board member of Open Hybrid LabFactory e.V. (OHLF).
Around 200 participants from the fields of research and industry, hailing from the region and from around the world, are expected to attend. Renowned sponsors such as Matplus, Liebherr and BASF are supporting the conference, as are numerous start-ups that are helping to shape the future of the circular economy with creative concepts and technology prototypes. Alongside the technical programme, participants are invited to engage in informal discussions at an evening event at the Zeithaus in the Autostadt, and an excursion to Salzgitter AG offers exclusive insights into large-scale industrial recycling and production processes.
A platform for testing new technologies and processes
At the OHLF, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Volkswagen, the Fraunhofer Society, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences and 40 other partners pool their expertise to test technologies in the circular economy, production engineering, sustainable lightweight construction and materials development for market viability and economic sustainability. Here, industry and science come together to deliver practical, resource-efficient solutions for optimised recycling processes and improved material recovery.
Background: Circular Economy
Resource scarcity, environmental impact, global dependencies – industrial production faces major challenges. The circular economy and research into sustainable materials are crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of the economy: They conserve finite resources, prevent waste and reduce harmful emissions. Meanwhile, innovative, bio-based and recyclable materials significantly lower the carbon footprint of production processes. Circular business models also open up new market opportunities, create jobs and enhance security of supply by reducing dependence on imports. Given stricter environmental regulations and growing consumer awareness, the need for resource-efficient solutions is becoming ever more pressing. Overall, therefore, the circular economy lays the foundation for a climate-friendly, resilient and competitive industry.