We would like to welcome participation PhD candidates from exploration geology, mining engineering and manufacturing, on the one hand, material sciences on the other hand and economists to trained together in the interdisciplinary course.

Based on a need for raw material solutions for the European sustainable industry, this course will train PhD students, as future experts in manufacturing and material science with regards to a circular economy. Through the course, PhD students will develop a circular perspective, innovation competence and entrepreneurial mindset focussing on the recyclability of raw materials.

CircPro combines theoretical studies with digital industry visits and practical problem solving, as well as training on entrepreneurship and innovation. The course is based on innovative elements including blended learning and constructivist methods. In course, PhD students will be given the opportunity to reflect and adjust their research to contribute to the transformation to a more resource efficient and circular utilization of primary and secondary raw materials. Further, via clear integration of entrepreneurial mindset, there is an opportunity for the contribution of the attendees of green growth in Europe.

Sustainable production among several other aspects should rely on raw material efficiency, the circularity of materials, components and products, clean technologies and cost benefits. In order to achieve positive environmental gains, these aspects have to be considered in a holistic view. In practice, this means that the use of raw materials in production downstream has to be managed carefully and relevant knowledge about raw materials need to be spread. The course provides both theoretical and practical competence of raw materials and circularity. CircPro first run was in 2019.

Workload of the programme: 8 ECTS credits for the PhD students including

• 3.0 credits for theory
• 1.5 credits for a local field trip (due COVID-19 digitalized company interactions)
• 3.5 credits for a case study (including preparation, report writing and presentation at the final digital workshop)
• Study period: 10 weeks are required to put in 6 hrs/week by student

A digital field trip is taken for a week, that students visit several company interactions are taken for a week, that students can listen to extended presentations, have live discussions and Q&A sessions with several different company representatives from Raw Materials sector. Next, within three weeks, students in groups work on their case projects. Eventually, the final virtual workshop will be digitally held by Tallinn University of Technology; this workshop will be finalized with the online presentation of the cases projects by students. 

The teaching format includes theory (video lectures), practical application (videos from laboratories and industry) and web-meetings for discussions (once per week). The duration for video lectures is up to 20 min/video and for the virtual classroom for discussions between 60-90 mins). Underneath table represents the content and schedule of this course.

Course content

Theoretical part

The course includes 8 main contents:

• Circular economy
• Product design
• Metallurgy – ferrous
• Metallurgy - nonferrous
• Recyclability
• Compliance, Social responsibility, legal aspects
• Industry 4.0
• Entrepreneurship
• Review 

Since PhD students will come from different background (construction, material sciences, engineering, economy, among others), the course will be given modules on different knowledge levels.

Starting from the introduction into the circular economy and product design for circularity, the course will provide a sound understanding of the materials value chain. The course will include reachability aspects and the challenges for future materials as well as a sound understanding of the requirements for the development of circular material use including the newest European roles of the Circular Economy Strategy of the European Union and their effects and impact on future production and material science.

Virtual field trip

A one-week digitalized company interactions with industry is planned. The PhD students are able to listen to presentations from several different companies within different parts of the value chain. The digitalized plan includes digital webinars and discussions with the same five companies/ research institutes.

Final workshop and presentations

The final workshop and presentation of case studies will be taken place live on an online platform, hosted by Tallinn University of Technology between November 8 and November 10, 2021. The agenda includes:

Monday, November 8,  2021

• Each group will present their case study report
• Entrepreneurship programs at Estonia and in EIT level
• STARTERtech Lecture

Duesday, November 9, 2021

• Inspirational speech at 09:00 by Cleantech Cluster from Tehnopol
• What to have in Pitch deck
• How to be good entrepreneur
• Funding opportunities for your Idea/Solution
• Video pitch recording

Wedensday, November 10, 2021

• Final workshop at 09:00 – Pitching the solutions

• Competition

• Reflection

• End at 14.00

Interdisciplinary groups of 5 PhD students from different universities and countries will be working together on case projects. The groups define their own case projects, which must include background from all 8 course content areas. The case projects be innovations from a challenge or even a business idea (start-up) but must be relevant for needs and challenges defined by companies. Case projects can include the following materials (selection of the materials depends on the interests of the PhD students):

• New composites
• Ni
• Zn
• Cu
• Co
• Li
• Pb
• Low and high alloyed steel
• CRM
• Precious metals (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Rh etc.

In case of start-up case project, it should be directed towards start-ups for EIT - European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

For the case projects, we emphasize on peer to peer learning, which facilitates cooperate and interact between students. This will happen through our online platform (OPAL) where students have the opportunity to discuss ideas, share files and work together. 

Final presentation and entrepreneurial training

PhD students groups hand over their reports a week before the final presentation at TalTech, Estonia. They also present their case projects in powerpoints in front of the industry. The certificate of participation in the course will also be distributed.

• We would like to welcome participation PhD candidates from exploration geology, mining engineering and manufacturing, on the one hand, and material sciences on the other hand and economists to train together in the interdisciplinary course.
• After the completion of the course, the students can receive 8 ECTS.
• In order to apply, please fill the registration form.
  Where you describe your research and explain your motivation to be part of the selected persons who can be part of the course in Summer-Autumn 2021. Next time we run the course in 2022.
• Application extended deadline is June 30, 2021. The applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we strongly encourage you to apply early.
•  Tuition fee is 490 EUR, includes the course materials, digital industry visits, case study, certificate.
• Once you are accepted, tuition payment is due by 5th August 2021 to secure your spot

Course CircPro is developed by:

Tallinna Tehnikaülikool (TTÜ Tallinn University of Technology), Estonia
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), Germany
Mälardalen University, Sweden
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Sweden
Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH Royal Institute of Technology), Sweden

Supporting industry partners:
Swerea IVF AB, Sweden
Boliden Mineral AB, Sweden
Höganäs AB, Sweden
Swerea MEFOS AB, Sweden