CIRCUMET

Facts

Academic Partner: JTH, Chalmers University of Technology, University West, RISE

Industrial Partners:

Volvo Cars, Scania CV, Stena Metal International, GKN Aerospace Sweden, Sandvik Coromant, AGES Industri, Comptech, Husqvarna Group, Fagerhult, Gjuteriföreningen, Jernkontoret, Svenskt Aluminium, FKG, Tunga Fordon

Duration of the project: 2023-2029

Team of researchers:

Ehsan Ghassemali, Assoc. Prof.

Peter Leisner, Prof.

Madelene Zetterlind, Lecturer

Anders Jarfors, Prof.

15 other colleagues at JTH

AVANCERADE OCH OPTIMERADE KOMPONENTER, MATERIAL OCH TILLVERKNING

Advanced School on Circular Metal Components for the Swedish Manufacturing Industry

CIRCUMET aims at creating a comprehensive joint effort for developing 80-90 credits courses in advanced level on the topic of climate action in the metal component manufacturing industry. Flexible pedagogical methods and tailored admission routines will be developed for attracting professionals from the industry.

Objectives of CIRCUMET:

- Create a joint effort for developing 80-90 credits courses in advanced level on the topic of climate action in the metal component manufacturing industry

- Develop flexible pedagogical methods, and innovative admission/validation routines for effective competence supply for the professionals in the industry

- Pilot-run the developed courses and accordingly fine-tune the methodologies and contents if needed

- Plan and develop the industrial research school proposal on the climate action for the metal industry

Importance of the project

Particularly in Sweden, the manufacturing industry is considered the backbone of the economy, with more than 13% contribution to the GDP, and the metal component manufacturing industry is among the top sectors. Yet manufacturing sector has an outsized impact on the environment with around 20-25% direct CO2 emissions.

On the other hand, there are very limited and, in most cases, scattered educational packages related to climate action in the metal component manufacturing industry. This highlights the urgency and importance of developing tailored and flexible competence supply in both academia and industry, in order to effectively fight against climate change in the metal component manufacturing sector.

Expected results

The effort covers the circularity and sustainability in the entire value chain of metal component manufacturing; from component design optimization, to manufacturing processes, material selection, and even after the component lifetime. Important topics such as Digitalization, Life cycle analysis, and Business models in circular metal component manufacturing are embedded within the project scope.

This is in-line with many industrial sectors’ commitment to the business ambition for a 1.5˚C goal, which targets a climate-neutral and circular business by 2040. The Swedish “Riksdag” also has a clear goal in this regard: by latest 2045, Sweden must have no net emission of greenhouse gasses to subsequently achieve negative emissions.