Current projects

The current research of the UTC is centred around the following academic fields:

Life cycle management and thinking
Life cycle assessment
Material flow analysis
Industrial ecology

The current research projects are shown below.

1. PhD Project: Life Cycle Management - Closing the Loop

The project investigates strategies to improve the life cycle sustainability performance of products through end-of-use management. The project process involves:

understanding the current end-of-use status by reviewing and mapping the current product-material flows;
assessing the potential for environmental improvement through end-of-use strategies for different product categories; and
development of an end-of-use management strategy, involving remanufacturing, product-service offerings, recycling and others.

2. PhD Project: Organisational Capabilities for Life Cycle Management

Contact: Hanna Nilsson

This research project examines how the company (as a organisation) can organize it processes and functions to develop life cycle management. How can a company realise the benefits of life cycle thinking and holistic management of its products and services? The project investigates the requirements for LCM, the current status in terms of LCM capabilities and a strategy for how LCM can be applied. Read more.....

3. Material Flow Analysis of the Supply Chain

Contact: Anne-Marie Tillman

This project will use “material flow analysis” (MFA) to assess the total upstream (supply chain) resource requirements (materials, energy and water) of operations. The “resource productivity” as a whole, and for certain defined products can then be calculated (e.g. measured as: kg material/kg product). Subsequently, this will enable a tracking of life cycle performance and the basis to supply the same product or service with a reduced quantity of material and impact.

4. Base of the Pyramid in sub-Saharan Africa - Renewable energy technologies and productive energy use

Contact: Birger Löfgren

This pilot project is a first step in understanding the opportunities of the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) market-approach. The BoP approach is about identifying practical solutions and business models, to enable low-income people to become business producers, innovators and consumers. The research project will focus on the value chains of renewable energy technologies and small-scale mechanical systems in developing countries. The geographical area chosen for case studies is the sub-Saharan area of East Africa incorporating Tanzania and Mozambique. The pilot project will adopt a broad approach to identify potential market segments, consumer groups and possible business models.