Research-based transfer for an innovative circular economy With InCamS@BI, the Innovation Campus for Sustainable Solutions, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is positioning itself in the East Westphalia-Lippe region as an innovative transfer player in the field of the circular economy. The focus is on sustainable materials research. Resource scarcity, climate protection, regulations - the plastics industry is facing major challenges. The interdisciplinary transfer project InCamS@BI aims to accompany companies on their way to the Circular Economy and work with them to develop sustainable solutions in the field of optimizing plastics for circular value creation.

Solutions for circular value creation

 In InCamS@BI, ideas are generated and solutions developed to optimize plastics and their handling for a circular economy: Which plastics are suitable for reuse and how can they be reprocessed in the best possible way? How can products be adapted to use recycled plastics? How can consumers be better involved on the path to circular use?

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Interdisciplinarity is the key

Researchers and collaborators from the fields of science, engineering, law, psychology, economics, humanities and social science work together in InCamS@BI with experts from business and society to find new solutions. The aim is to include all aspects of the value chain: from the manufacture, processing and handling of plastics, through regulatory requirements, to the motivation of those who buy plastic products. The project is steered by the management board. 

Interactive events such as barcamps and hackathons involve companies in the region, citizens, students and start-ups. The goal is to promote communication between all interested parties and thus to jointly develop and implement solutions. 

A blueprint for transfer

 To find answers to these questions, InCamS@BI designs the exchange between science, business and society with innovative formats and an interdisciplinary team. Thereby, research-based transfer structures are to be systematically established and tested in order to develop a blueprint for transfer at HSBI.