Cradle-to-Cradle Innovations: Concept and opportunities for closed-loop supply chains

This hybrid seminar was presented by International Guest Speaker: Cornelius Herstatt, Professor Innovation Research, Institute for Technology- and Innovation Management (TIM), Hamburg University of Technology | OpenInnoTrain Secondee

Facilitator: Professor Anne-Laure Mention, Director, Global Business Innovation Enabling Impact Platform | OpenInnoTrain Chief Investigator

Seminar Reflection: This seminar attracted a global audience both in person and online. An intriguing, insightful, and extremely thought provoking seminar presented by Professor Cornelius Herstatt (Hamburg University of Technology, TUHH – and OpenInnoTrain secondee) week RMIT University ‘Cradle-to-Cradle #Innovations: concept and opportunities for Closed-Loop Supply Chains. We were introduced to the people of Cornelius’s Sustainable Innovation research team (some who have also had the experience of OpenInnoTrain secondments including – Dr. Svenja Damberg, Luise M. Degen, Johanna Zeller Dr. Viktoria Drabe ) shifting from a linear to circular economy, Cornelius showcased the Cradle-to-Cradle concept as aiming to create eco-effective industrial systems driven by synergistic positive economic, environmental, and social goals; eco-efficancy versus Eco-effectiveness; three pillars of the C2C concept. Extremely interesting examples of C2C products and new business models were also discussed. Much to think about – and much to consider around our role in circularity for the greater good of the global community.

Seminar Description: Under the global topic of Circular Economy, different strategies and concepts are currently being discussed for the realization of a circular economy that conserves resources in connection with adapted production processes (input) and makes materials and resources in already used products (output) available again for further production cycles. The discussed concepts differ among other things by their claim or radicalness and the discussion circles between Eco-Efficiency and Eco-Effectiveness and. The Cradle2Cradle approach belongs to the latter and places high demands on the innovation system due to the requirement that waste should not be generated in the first place. As part of a project for the German Federal Ministry of Construction, we are currently investigating the possibilities of introducing the C2C approach on a broad regional scale. In a previous (qualitative) study, we first tried to better understand the barriers and challenges associated with the implementation of this ambitious approach at the level of manufacturers. As an interim conclusion, it can be seen that the consistent implementation of the C2C approach in companies, industries and regions must go hand in hand with a considerable rethinking of value creation processes among all actors involved, a visionary will to lead in decision-making, and broad acceptance among recipients or users of the products/solutions.

Acknowledgements: OpenInnoTrain Project, is a global network of researchers and industry practitioners across Europe and Australia for promoting the translation of research between university-industry through cooperation and Open Innovation in the sectors of: FinTech, Industry 4.0, CleanTech, FoodTech. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 823971.

RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia – Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform (Director, Professor Anne-Laure Mention).

TUHH – Hamburg University of Technology