KICE

Reasons for the project

Circular Economy is in the process of becoming a market model of the future. This is understood to mean a circular economy that contrasts with the currently prevalent "take-make-waste" industrial model and aims to redefine growth to focus on positive benefits for society as a whole. The project network will look at the opportunities and barriers to the best possible interplay between AI and the goals of the Circular Economy.

The Circular Economy involves the gradual decoupling of economic activity from the consumption of finite resources and the systematic avoidance of waste. Supported by a transition to renewable energy sources, the Circular Economy model builds economic, natural and social capital. In this context, a transformation towards the Circular Economy is understood not only as an ecological opportunity, but also as a great economic opportunity.

Different methods of Artificial Intelligence can be used to implement these projects. The goal of Artificial Intelligence is to recognize patterns through data analysis and to make predictions based on these patterns. Artificial intelligence methods offer companies that want to implement circular innovations new opportunities to analyze problems and identify solutions.

Bavarian Swabia should benefit

The Bavarian Swabia region is characterized by an above-average proportion of employees in the manufacturing industry. In particular, this industry generates a lot of waste materials, for which it is important to find a circular solution in the course of sustainability. The Bavarian Resource Strategy also aims in this direction. AI can also make a supporting contribution, for example in the sorting of waste.

Based on these findings, products and production processes must be redesigned by optimizing them for a long service life, for reprocessing and ultimately for high-quality recycling. Rethinking also brings new, circular business models such as product-service models and thus new market potential. AI and other digital technologies act as "enablers" of such closed loops in production.

Example: Bravobike - reprocessing of used e-bikes: only marketable at all thanks to AI, as margins are very small. Fast diagnosis of repairability through AI opens up market potential.

Aim of the collaboration

By combining two innovative topics and cross-disciplinary exchange, the project enables members and partners of all participating partners to develop integrated system solutions based on innovative products and services, thus enabling them to better face global challenges such as climate and resource protection. At the same time, their own market position in international competition can be secured by accelerating the transition to the Circular Economy with the help of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence.

What's planned

To implement this project, there will be numerous events in the coming months. The starting signal for the first event will be given on 07 April 2022 (13:00 to 17:00) with a kick-off event. In the technology center Augsburg it will go around the cross-linking of the producing enterprises with solution offerers approximately around the topic Circular Economy and artificial intelligence.

>> Further information: Umweltcluster Bayern - Netzwerk der bayerischen Umweltwirtschaft