Global consumption of materials amounts to 100 billion tons annually, out of which only 8.6% is recovered. This situation increases pressures on the environment and mandates for a change of economy model from linear to circular so that resources are kept in the economy even beyond the end of the product lifecycle through reuse, recycling or remanufacturing.

Such a change requires profound modifications in the entire value chain, engaging the entire quadruple helix, and mandating new skills to facilitate the transition. To this end CRESCENTO project will set up a transnational cooperation network on circular economy, and will define an education and training program for a Joint Master’s.

The project kick off took place in Milan, Italy on February 7, 2023. The project engages a consortium of 11 partners led by the Politecnico di Milano and participated by the Industrial Systems Institute.