CIRCULAR PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS

Course Content

Unit 1: Introduction (4 Lecture Hours)

This unit explores sourcing of materials from extraction to refining processes as well as the
complexity of material supply. It builds a rationale for why we need to transform to a Circular
Economy.

Introduction to the Circular Economy, Sustainable Mining, From Mining to Metal, Value and
Governance, Transition to Circular Economy, Pursuing Responsible Mining to Support Global
Development

Unit 2: Circular Business Models ( Lecture Hours)

In this unit circular business models are explored in-depth and a range of ways for business to
create economic and social value are discussed

The Role of Business in the Circular Economy, Circular Economy Business Model Strategies,
Business Model Innovation, Drivers for Entrepreneurship in a Circular Economy, Barriers for
Businesses in a Circular Economy, Business Opportunities for a Circular Economy

Unit 3: Circular Design, Innovation and Assessment ( Lecture Hours

)
This unit presents topics like functional materials and eco-design as well as methods to assess
environmental impacts.

Material Science Innovations, Eco design Strategies, Nanotech Developments, Assessing the
Environmental Sustainability of Circular Systems: Tools and Methods, Assessing the Resource
Efficiency of Circular Systems

Unit 4: Policies and Networks ( Lecture

Hours)
This unit explores the role of governments and networks and how policies and sharing best
practices can enable the circular economy.

Past Policy Solutions, Overview of Policies for a Circular Economy, Extended Producer
Responsibility, Policies for Extended Product Lifetimes, EU Eco design Directive, Importance
of Networks for Sharing Information.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/circular-economy#syllabus