Institute of Circular Economy and Environment

This research infrastructure concerns the interdepartmental, interdisciplinary Institute of Circular Economy and Environment (ICEE).

ICEE is largely based on the INVALOR Large-Scale Research Infrastructure and is essentially in its evolution, at least at the University of Patras.

Thus, the purpose of ICEE is to strengthen research and innovation in the context of the circular economy and services related to the environment and sustainable development.

According to the GSRT, the National-Scale Research Infrastructures, RIS_Roadmap_SupportDoc_2013.pdf are facilities, research resources, organizational systems and services used by research communities for research activities and therefore to produce innovation in their areas of interest. Where required, they can be used beyond research activities, such as for example, for educational or public services. Research Infrastructures may include: basic scientific equipment (or sets of tools), knowledge-based research resources such as collections, archives or scientific data, e-infrastructures, data, computer systems and software, communication networks and systems promoting open access and digital trust, as well as any other infrastructure of a unique nature that is necessary in achieving excellence in research and innovation.

The implementation of new ideas that arise through research, either through proposals for funding, or through the provision to the private sector of services and products, of added value,
The research training of the students, so that they can be a vigorous human resource in terms of innovation in the field of circular economy and environmental sciences, through the Economy of Knowledge, with the aim of either integrating them into the free market, in the private sector, or in the academic community,
The integration of new technologies with emphasis on information and communication technologies in the field of research as well as the encouragement of the creation of services for commercial exploitation. For this purpose, among other things, actions for the supply of new modern equipment will be supported as well as for the training of the personnel of the institute in relevant technologies.
The support of existing and new scientific staff, to restore the knowledge capital in the national research facilities in the field of circular economy and sustainability.
The provision of consulting and knowledge services in processes involving the design, monitoring and assessment of the environmental dimensions of projects and policies.
Research on climate change and the extent to which it interacts with the following defined objectives/indicators:
1. Reduction of the consumption of materials characterized as waste or as by-products.
2. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Biomass utilization.
4. Reduction of volume of liquid or solid waste.
5. Assessment of the quality of life & environment.
The provision of educational programs and dissemination actions of the concept of a sustainable ecosystem in the society, by creating a new productive and consumer model that allows the use of materials for a much longer time while minimizing the use of natural resources.
The formation of social & business culture through the transition from a vertical model of “production, consumption, disposal” to a closed circular model where products can be disassembled and reused with the least possible post-processing.
Research for the assessment of the quality of life and of the environment.
The above will be achieved in the form of issuing best practices guidelines, with the aim of either their direct implementation by the private and public sector, or their adoption at a legislative level, for the creation of policies and directions in the field of circular economy and environmental protection.