Within the Looping project, scientific approaches to unlocking circular value creation potential are being developed and tested. The project places a strong emphasis on industrial fundamental research.
Looping Lab
This research explores multiple, interrelated cycling loops in the context of circular design principles. Particular emphasis is placed on addressing existing research gaps in the methodological and instrumental development of innovative cycling concepts, with the objective of enabling a robust evaluation of their market potential. In cooperation with industry partners, scientifically grounded methods and tools are developed that support the establishment of enduring and scalable circular economy strategies.
The Looping Design Lab serves as the central platform within the research project. Functioning as a scientific think tank, it provides the foundational basis for exploring sustainable value creation potentials in the field of circular economy innovation. At the same time, it acts as a key vehicle for communicating research findings to relevant stakeholders.
The content priorities of the Lab are shaped by the following three core components:
1.
The technical component focuses on circular product design and the experimental evaluation of recovery and reutilization strategies across diverse material categories, including textiles, furniture, and technical equipment.
2.
The economic component involves identifying and developing innovative business models related to cycling loops, alongside establishing a cooperative network structure that connects key actors across the value chain.
3.
The educational component encompasses targeted Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) measures designed to convey circular economy concepts to key stakeholder groups—including companies, local authorities, and civil society—by means of knowledge dissemination and empowerment facilitated through pedagogical instruments, thereby ensuring transparency, accessibility, and experiential learning.
„Problems can never be solved with the same mindset that created them.“
Albert Einstein
research team
Prof. Dr. Uwe Demele
Project Lead –
Looping Research Project
uwe.demele@hnee.de
Prof. Dr. Alexander Conrad
Looping project module
Algae-based salt as a future material
alexander.conrad@hnee.de
Georgi Georgiev (M.A.)
Research Associate –
Looping Project
georgi.georgiev@hnee.de
Project partner
reCet
BGG – Kreiswerke Barnim
