The circular economy is an economic model that preserves resources through continuous cycles of transformation, eliminates the concept of waste and maintains its value. It is based on three principles: eliminate waste and reduce pollution, promote the circulation of products and materials, and regenerate nature. It rethinks the traditional system of extraction, production and disposal to establish circular value chains, with the aim of creating a more efficient, resilient and regenerative production and consumption system.

The UPC currently has 20 research groups specialising in the circular economy, along with 6 specific research centres. These centres develop innovative projects and collaborate with prestigious institutions. The UPC also offers a wide range of educational programmes, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, postgraduate courses, doctoral programmes and more.

A new life for your old hard drive

The NEO-CYCLE project aims to recycle magnets from hard drives to create valuable chemicals such as ammonia, fertilisers and polymers for sectors like pharmaceuticals. It uses innovative technologies to separate elements and develop new catalysts, digitalises processes and assesses sustainability and economic viability. The project also promotes new business models through collaboration with various stakeholders in the value chain.

Rainwater drainage through pavement

Urban expansion has increased soil impermeability, leading to more frequent flooding and challenges for traditional drainage systems. As a result, the use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) is growing, offering a more natural and efficient way to manage water. The BITSDRAIN project explores the use of porous pavements to store and slow down rainwater, reducing flood risks and easing pressure on drainage networks. The goal is to develop models and recommendations for urban implementation.

Reusing materials from demolished buildings

The DISCOVER project is developing an autonomous system using robots and artificial intelligence to identify and analyse materials in buildings slated for demolition. This will enable more efficient and sustainable demolition, promote material reuse and support the creation of digital models for better planning. The system will be tested at four sites across Europe to ensure its effectiveness and adaptability. The project aims to reduce construction waste.

Biodiversity, climate and energy

Biodiversity loss, largely caused by our extractive linear economy, can be slowed by circular economy principles. By eliminating waste and pollution, recycling materials and regenerating nature, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote biodiversity.

In agriculture, for example, regenerative practices such as rotating crops and reducing food waste could halve food system emissions by 2050, while improving carbon sequestration and soil health.

Architecture, building construction and mobility

The built environment, which includes buildings and infrastructure, is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, applying circular economy principles would reduce the demand for steel, aluminium, cement and plastic, potentially enabling a 38% reduction in CO₂ emissions from construction materials by 2050. This too would increase the resilience of the sector, in the face of possible disruptions and volatility in the price of raw materials, and materials would be maintained in the economy, reducing waste and pollution and improving sustainability and urban quality of life.

Manufacturing: textiles, metals and plastics

The circular economy also addresses the waste crisis, as in the case of the textile industry and the metals and plastics sectors. Through innovation and ecodesign of products so that they can be reused or recycled, we can transform the way we produce and use materials, thereby reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, a circular economy for plastics could reduce the amount of plastics reaching the oceans by 80% and generate significant economic savings and new jobs.

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