Circular economy and life cycle analysis
CIRCLE – Circular Economy and Life Cycle Engineering
The CIRCLE research group investigates how technical systems, products, and value chains can be designed and assessed in ways that actively contribute to solving major sustainability challenges rather than exacerbating them. Our mission is to provide scientifically sound, quantifiable, and actionable foundations for an engineering-based sustainability transition. We focus on strategies for Circular Economy and Life Cycle Engineering, realized through methodological development, systems modeling, and data-driven sustainability assessments.
Research focus
- Computational Models for Transparent and Accessible Life Cycle Assessment
Conventional LCA processes are often too complex and resource-intensive for many companies, particularly SMEs. CIRCLE develops computational, partially automated methods and tools to make LCA more efficient, transparent, and scalable. Our research combines method standardization, automated data processing, and smart modeling logics to enable broader adoption of LCA as a tool for industrial sustainability management. - From Assessment to Decision Support – Life Cycle Engineering
LCA provides important information, but how can it be turned into actionable decisions in product design, manufacturing, or technology development? CIRCLE connects life cycle thinking with Life Cycle Engineering to support decision-making in technology development in a systematic, ecologically sound, and practice-oriented manner. We develop assessment frameworks that incorporate: Trade-off analyses between environmental, economic, and technical objectives, Technology evaluations in the context of sustainable transformation pathways, Scenario development for future-proof product and production systems, Design for Recycling, along with assessments of disassemblability and repairability, Strategies for sustainable Product Life Cycle Management (PLM) across all product stages, Our aim is to move from LCA as a diagnostic tool toward a design-relevant, integrative decision support approach applicable at both the product and system level. - Evaluation of Circular Strategies at Product, Production, and System Level
Circular economy strategies such as reuse, remanufacturing, recycling, or lifetime extension – need to be assessed systematically. CIRCLE develops quantitative methods to evaluate circular strategies across different scales, from individual products and production systems to sector-level material flows. A core focus lies in integrating circularity indicators into life cycle models and linking micro and macro perspectives. - System-Level Sustainability Analysis of Technological Transitions
Technologies do not exist in isolation they are embedded in complex socio-technical systems. We analyze technological pathways with respect to global sustainability challenges such as climate change and resource decoupling. Our methods include dynamic material flow modeling, integrated assessment approaches, and scenario-based analysis to explore impacts and develop robust, evidence-based strategies. - Sustainable Circular Production Systems
Another key area is the development and assessment of sustainable manufacturing systems that implement circular principles at the process level. CIRCLE explores cross-cutting modeling and assessment frameworks to improve industrial production in terms of resource efficiency, emissions reduction, and circularity.
Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Felipe Cerdas
