We are seeking research collaborations to advance methodologies and practical approaches for sustainability assessment in critical raw material (CRM) supply chains. We offer expertise in design for circularity, innovation management, business model development, life cycle assessment (LCA) and circular economy. Our research interests include innovation methods and processes, critical raw materials, sustainability assessment, circularity and sustainable resource management. We welcome collaborations with academic, industrial, and other stakeholders working on these topics.

The Institute for Industrial Ecology (INEC) is a research institute at Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Our interdisciplinary team focuses on analysing energy and material flows between the technosphere and the ecosphere and on developing solutions for more sustainable and resource-efficient products, processes, and value chains.
Our research combines environmental, economic, and technical perspectives to support the sustainable use of scarce resources. In completed and ongoing projects, we have analysed the environmental impacts of gold production, developed approaches for the efficient and standardised evaluation of recyclates from rare-earth magnets and lithium-ion batteries, advanced the modelling of closed-loop material systems in life cycle assessment, and supported the implementation and assessment of resource efficiency and circular economy strategies across various industrial sectors.
Most of our projects are conducted in close collaboration with industry partners, enabling us to combine scientific excellence with practical applicability.