New Perspectives on circular economy
2025-07-02 “The students bring a completely different perspective.” With these words, Katrin Porsch from Bauck Mühle summed up what made the “Circular Economy” network meeting on June 18 at Leuphana so special: The coming together of science, practice and teaching created new perspectives on opportunities for the circular economy.
The network meeting marked the end of a six-week cooperation phase in which students worked on practical issues together with the companies Bauck Mühle, Hamburg Messe und Congress, Magnesia, MycoLutions and RecyclingMonitor. The event focused on the question: How can companies exploit the potential of the circular economy and develop concrete solutions based on ideas?
Alexa Böckel, Senior Researcher at the Wuppertal Institute and PhD student at the CSM, was one of the first to provide impetus with a contribution on “Skills for the Circular Economy”. Prof. Dr. Thomas Schomerus, Professor of Public Law at Leuphana University Lüneburg, showed what impact the new Eco-Design Regulation can have on business decisions.
Five interdisciplinary student teams then presented their results in pitches - from new cycles in food production to innovative service models in event management. During an open gallery walk, the teams and company representatives answered questions from guests from science and business, discussed with them and made new contacts.
Expanding perspectives
As part of the Innovation Community Sustainable Production, students and companies are working together on circular solutions. “It was an extensive program, with this great network meeting at the end, where the projects, cooperation partners and companies were presented,” says Katrin Porsch from Bauck Mühle. It was precisely this program that triggered many new ideas - from plastic recycling to ideas for service-based business models.
The network meeting has shown: Exchange and dialog spaces in which practice and science act together are essential for the circular economy.
The Leuphana Innovation Community Sustainable Production is committed to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and economically viable transformation of manufacturing companies and brings together stakeholders from science, industry and society. Shape the future with us and become part of the community!