CIRCULAR PROCESSES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING
In this research area, we focus on circular process streams by transforming data from experiments, production, utilization, and recycling into actionable knowledge. Our work explores how data and knowledge management can enable circular processes and support informed decision-making for complex systems in industrial settings.
By combining digital infrastructures, data analytics, and real pilot living labs, we develop and demonstrate the performance potential of next-generation processes. This approach enables continuous optimization and supports resilient, efficient, and sustainable systems engineering, bridging research and industry to turn circular economic concepts into operational reality.
AREA MANAGEMENT
DI Dr. Gunnar Spiegel
Area 3 Manager
for Circular Process Streams,
Coordination Digital Infrastructure
Gunnar Spiegel is Area Manager for Circular Process Streams at the Competence Center CHASE, where he also coordinates digital infrastructure. In this role, he enables advancing on data-driven methods, hybrid modeling workflows to support process understanding, circular processes, and sustainable recycling technologies.
His research contributions include publications on topics such as polymer reaction engineering, reaction and microstructural modeling, and circular recycling strategies in collaboration with academic partners. His work contributes to bridging scientific research for industrial applications in circular economy, chemistry and process engineering.
He holds a PhD degree and has been recognized for his scientific achievements, including contributions to digital infrastructure and modernization efforts at JKU.
Research Gate: ↗
Contact:
Phone: +43 664 78736155
Email: Send email
KEY SCIENTIFIC PARTNERS
CHASE collaborates with leading scientific institutions and partners to advance research on how to make manufacturing processes more circular and more sustainable:
Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Christian Paulik, JKU Linz - Profile↗
FH- Prof. DI Dr. Christoph Burgstaller, FH-Wels↗, TCKT↗
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil Mark Hlawitschka, JKU Linz - Profile↗
INDUSTRY REFERENCES
CHASE works closely with and for industrial partners to implement innovative solutions for circular production processes:
Bilfinger SE, Borealis GmbH, Covestro AG, Engel GmbH, EREMA Group, Greiner Packaging, Körber Pharma Austria, Renolit SE
OUR GOALS
The following objectives are pursued in our research area:
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To transform data into actionable knowledge, enabling data-driven modeling that maximizes the predictive capabilities of hybrid process models.
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To develop model-based process design solutions for circular streams, supporting optimized and resilient industrial operations.
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To implement workflows and methods that allow continuous processing and monitoring of circular process streams.
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To perform dynamic evaluation and validation, and to demonstrate next-generation products and processes within smart living labs, ensuring sustainability and practical applicability.
OUR APPROACH
The following approach is pursued in our research area:
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To implement application-oriented, bottom-up process design, considering industry and SME requirements to ensure practical relevance.
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To apply specific in-line process monitoring technologies, leveraging insights from Area 2 to enable real-time data acquisition and control.
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To perform big data analysis for optimization of overall plant dynamics and process performance.
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To develop first-principles-based models for process analysis, system design, and automatic control, including non-linear model predictive control.
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To create hybrid models by combining first-principles approaches with heuristic models extracted from runtime data.
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To implement multiparametric control strategies for continuous processing of circular streams.
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To utilize technology-driven smart living labs for evaluation, demonstration, and validation of next-generation processes and products.
YOUR RESULTS
The following results are pursued in our research area:
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Improved quality assurance and process understanding through predictive models that transfer data into actionable knowledge
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Novel feedstock preconditioning and advanced recycling technologies providing optimized solutions for key recycling plant components using hybrid model design.
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Recipe and process up-scaling enabled through multidimensional, model-based predictions.
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Experimental evaluation and validation of developed models within smart living labs.
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Open-source libraries of workflows and models facilitating continuous processing of circular process streams.
ONE OF OUR PROJECTS
Watch the video about our Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol project here or visit our Youtube channel:
