Innovation in and for Lusatia
Four-university research center for climate-neutral circular economy at Schwarze Pumpe sets the benchmark for sustainable production and climate-proofing
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Prof. Uwe Götze, Vice President for Transfer and Academic Qualification at TU Chemnitz (left), Prof. Alexander Kratzsch, Rector of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (2nd from left), Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger, Rector of TU Dresden (center), Prof. Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, Rector of TU Bergakademie Freiberg (2nd from right) and CircEcon Managing Director Prof. Niels Modler, TU Dresden (right), met for the constituent meeting of the CircEcon Steering Committee on August 16 at TU Dresden. Photo: Bertram Lubiger
Saxony is unique when it comes to research and growth in the fields of materials and production engineering as well as process and recycling technology. This expertise, combined with support from funding measures for structural change, will also benefit Lusatia. In the CircEcon – Green Circular Economy research cluster, TU Dresden, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Chemnitz University of Technology and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences will work together to develop groundbreaking solutions for the challenges of the circular economy and to strengthen the competitiveness in Lusatia. The circular economy is a key factor in the sustainable transformation of industry and society.
With the constituent meeting of the Steering Committee for CircEcon on August 16, the Rectors of TU Dresden, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, TU Chemnitz and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences took the decisive step to set the course for the sustainable development of the region with a joint scientific facility. The planned location for the research center is the "Schwarze Pumpe" industrial park. The federal and state governments will fund the project with EUR 108 million.
Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger, Rector of TU Dresden, commented, “Bringing together the expertise of the universities of applied sciences and universities in Chemnitz, Dresden, Freiberg and Zittau/Görlitz in a joint facility will result in an outstanding pooling of specialist knowledge and technology that will facilitate the development of groundbreaking solutions to the challenges of the circular economy while also strengthening the competitiveness of the region.”
Prof. Alexander Kratzsch, Rector of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, said, “Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is deeply rooted in the region and is known as a central location for education and research. As such, we see creating sustainable solutions with interdisciplinary expertise as our top priority – from the efficient use of resources to waste reduction. CircEcon transforms academic expertise into industrial innovation and thus directly promotes economic growth. From Lusatia for Lusatia – and far beyond. With this commitment, we are actively driving change and shaping the future of both our home region and the global community.”
Prof. Gerd Strohmeier, Rector of Chemnitz University of Technology, stated, “CircEcon marks the launch of our fourth branch office. What makes it special is that this is a joint scientific facility that we have established together with three other Saxon universities. With this research center, we can tackle major challenges for the future.”
(Source: TU Dresden)
Matthias Fejes
25.08.2023
