Purpose and objectives
The transition to a climate-neutral society is driving a growing demand for critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements. At the same time, increasing amounts of green technologies are being deployed in cities, creating a need for more resource-efficient approaches to reuse, repair and recycling.
The LocaLoops project aims to develop strategies for the sustainable and circular management of critical raw materials in urban environments. By combining engineering and social science approaches, the project will generate knowledge on how material flows, business models and collaboration between stakeholders can support a more circular use of these resources.
The project will:
- map the use and flows of critical raw materials in urban environments,
- develop circular business models together with companies and other stakeholders,
- analyse future scenarios for the sustainable management of critical raw materials, and
- develop strategies and roadmaps to support cities in the transition to a circular economy.
Expected outcomes
The project will help cities become better prepared to manage the growing volumes of critical raw materials associated with the energy transition. The results will provide new knowledge on how materials can remain in use for longer, circulate more efficiently and create greater value for society and industry.
The project is expected to deliver material flow maps, proposals for circular business models, sustainability assessments and roadmaps that can support municipalities, companies and other stakeholders. In doing so, it will contribute to more efficient resource use, improved supply resilience and a faster transition to a circular society.
