FHNW strengthens a Center of Excellence for Circular Economy in Life Sciences with partners

The non-profit organization GCiLS conducted the study on behalf of BaselCircular. Towards a Circular Life Sciences in Basel which is available online and identifies key areas of action with a major impact. «Based on the results of the study, we are developing concrete projects for the entire ecosystem in the Center of Excellence - based on 31 fields of action and over 130 ideas along the value chain, which serve as an idea sandbox for circular innovations in the healthcare sector,» says Emmanuel Oertlé, Chairman of the Executive Committee of GCiLS. The aim of the FHNW's collaboration with Go Circular in Life Science and BaselCircular is to promote circular solutions along the entire value chain of the regional life sciences sector, from the initial idea through to concrete implementation.

Partnership with complementary strengths

The GCiLS coordination office is based at the Institute for Ecopreneurship at the FHNW School of Life Sciences. BaselCircular ensures the basic funding of the initiative for the coming years and at the same time provides access to a broader circular economy network in the Basel region. «Circularity does not work in isolation. With GCiLS as a neutral point of contact and the expertise of the university, we can accelerate implementation across the industry,» says Carole Tornay, Managing Director of BaselCircular.

The FHNW School of Life Sciences, based at the FHNW Campus Muttenz, is contributing its scientific expertise as well as state-of-the-art methods and laboratories. «This allows us to create optimal conditions for developing, testing and scaling up solutions together with industry,» explains Marco Rupprich, Head of the Institute of Ecopreneurship and Research Group Leader for Sustainable Chemistry and Circular Economy at the FHNW.

Three complementary strengths therefore flow into the collaboration: GCiLS acts as an independent hub with a direct line to industry and coordination expertise; the FHNW School of Life Sciences contributes scientific expertise as well as pilot plants for testing and scaling technologies; and BaselCircular contributes financial resources, regional networking and partnerships. Other partners are also invited to become part of the community.

Concrete next steps

Based on the analysis, the partners initiate thematic working groups that deal with topics such as industrial symbiosis, plastics recycling and take-back systems, sustainable laboratory consumables and reuse and repair in medtech and hospitals. The aim is to identify and implement pilot projects together with industry.

This is complemented by formats to promote the ecosystem and knowledge transfer, such as community events and a digital information hub that bundles best practices and circular economy initiatives.

Source: www.fhnw.ch/lifesciences