Aeroengines investigated in circular economy study

The EPSRC-funded ‘Circular 4.0’ project aims to demonstrate that adopting circular economy principles can add value to businesses – economically, environmentally, and through increased brand value. Partners include Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Cranfield University.

By the end of the project in January 2022 the project expects to have identified three specific use cases applying to Rolls-Royce, Airbus and hydrogen fuel cell car manufacturer Riversimple. The researchers also hope to work with other partners through a series of industry engagement days.

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The project proposal notes that although there have been successes “by a handful of manufacturers to move towards more sustainable practices through the use of data-driven intelligence”, businesses remain unclear about how to implement circular economy strategies.

Project leader Prof Fiona Charnley, deputy director of the Centre for Circular Economy in Exeter University’s business school, said that among the project partners, Rolls-Royce’s use case was currently the most advanced.