New technologies, processes, services and business models will be fundamental requirements for a circular economy
Our global consumption exceeds the planet’s regenerative capacity by more than 50%. A shift from a “take-make-waste” to a closed-loop economy to enable an absolute decoupling of consumption from resource use and environmental impact in now an imperative for our society. Circular Economy is a core research challenge for the Environmental Research Institute.
Research at the Institute is focused on producing sustainable materials, sustainable food and sustainable energy in a closed loop approach with minimal or no waste providing a framework to reduce environmental impact, improve competitiveness, increase security of supply and produce new business opportunities.
For a full list of Circular Economy research projects at ERI, see our research projects and select Circular Economy under the Challenges tab.
For a full list of our experts, visit our people page.
rethinks and redesigns the way we make 'stuff', explores how through a change in perspective we can ultimately build a restorative economy
studies duckweeds focussing on toxicology, phytoremediation & the circular economy, & impacts of UV radiation on plants
is interested in the social, cognitive and economic factors that influence consumer food behaviours
studies yeasts and their biodiversity so we can use them for producing food and beverages as well as for industrial and environmental purposes
is Co-Director of the Environmental Research Institute and he explores renewable energy production from bioenergy and algal biofuels (biomethane and biohydrogen)
studies the microbiology of biofuel production, plastic degradation, novel biocatalysts and bioactive molecules
works in the areas of food security, biotechnology, crop diseases and biofortification
is developing 3D printable rechargeable batteries, sustainable materials for energy storage, and materials for electrochemical and solid-state science and technology
is a Professor of Economics and researchs links between sustainability and economic competitiveness
is working on the development of new processes and materials for carbon capture and direct air capture projects
is a Chemist developing new materials for energy and environmental applications
research involves the value added microbial bio-transformations of organic/inorganic fractions from industrial waste-streams
has research interests in the extraction of mineral materials from geological resources in a sustainable manner
applies protein engineering to the creation of novel biomaterials and bio-based synthesis and recycling of plastics
carries out research on sustainable agriculture from a food systems perspective, and livelihood/sustainability interactions
