Pitt's Covestro Circular Economy Program

COVESTRO LLC CIRCULAR ECONOMY PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE MASCARO CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

The future has a shape, and it’s a circle

RENEWABLE BIOLOGICAL BASED MATERIALS

Manufacturing Supply Chain Oil Drilling

Mining

NON-RENEWABLE FOSSIL & ORE BASED MATERIAL

Fishing Farming

Service Provider

Recycle Biogas

Reuse/ Redistribute

Biosphere

Regeneration Post-Harvest Waste

Maintain/ Prolong

Extraction of Biochemical Feedstock

Consumer/ User

Composting

Collection

Landfill

 Refurbish/ Remanufacture

Current linear consumption model has dominated the economy.

Today, we clearly see this has led to serious unintended global consequences and exacerbated our current climate emergency.

the future has a shape, and it’s a circle

1

17

2

16

3

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

13

5

11

7 9

8 Affordable & Clean Energy

Responsible Consumption & Production

Climate Action

10

Clean Water & Sanitation

6

12

Life Below Water Life on Land

 Plastics and other

modern materials are essential to everyday life. The UN SDGs are a roadmap to achieve a more sustainable, equitable future but can only be realized via advances that change the way we approach consumption.

Zero Hunger

4

14

Good Health & Well-being

15

How do you change the Take, Make, Waste consumption model?

How do you continue to advance the innovations made possible by modern materials?

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The University of Pittsburgh and Covestro are proud to introduce the first comprehensive academic, research and innovation program in the U.S. focused on redesigning the future through sustainable, circular products and solutions.

focused on redesigning the future

Lead the world in creation of a new field of research and education – Designing    for the Circular Economy.

Research at the nano and molecular levels leading to new materials that can be separated and reused. Novel, modular technology enabling intensified, efficient production. Education focused on training a new generation of circular economy engineers, injecting knowledge and innovation into companies of the future.

Sustainability is a core value for the University of Pittsburgh and Covestro,

• Design for CE requires contributions from many disciplines and the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation at Pitt has expanded over the past decade to be a center with University-wide reach.

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Why?

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• Pitt was one of the first recipients of a National Science Foundation Convergence award to support transdisciplinary circular design.

• Pitt has worked closely with the City of Pittsburgh to map out zero-waste future scenarios.

and bringing these two organizations together will act as a force multiplier in achieving circularity for the materials industry.

• The program impacts the four main drivers of Covestro’s vision: alternative raw materials, advanced recycling technologies, renewable energy, and collaboration.

• A circular economy aligns with the UN SDGs, which Covestro uses as a roadmap for its sustainability strategy.

• The youth of today will become the innovators of tomorrow, and engagement in CE research will provide important experience.

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Why?

Design for the Circular Economy: Core Pillars How can we convert current products from a linear to circular model where multiple lifecycles are possible? Can we practice and teach circular design, regardless of the product or service category?

How can engineering design education create new circular products and services? What classes need to be developed for students from a variety of engineering and social science disciplines to allow for the cross-fertilization essential to futuristic design?

How can we cultivate leadingedge CE technology, materials and processes aimed at commercializing novel technologies. Can annual Innovation Calls provide a mechanism for these goals?

Research

Academics

Circular Economy Innovation Program (CEi)

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Join us on this circular economy journey For further information on participation, please contact: Brian Vidic, Director of Partnerships University of Pittsburgh Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships 3518 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 brian.vidic@pitt.edu • 412-624-8101

the future has a shape, and it’s a circle

06/2021