REMADE Allocates $19.6 Million to Advance Circular Manufacturing and Energy Reduction
REMADE Allocates $19.6 Million to Advance Circular Manufacturing and Energy Reduction waste360
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The REMADE Institute Announces Additional Funding for Sustainable Technology Research
The REMADE Institute, a pioneering public-private partnership consisting of 167 members and established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has announced an additional $19.6 million in funding for new technology research.
Focusing on Sustainable Development Goals
The Institute, in collaboration with DOE, has chosen 14 new research, development, and demonstration projects in its latest funding round, which had an initial investment of $140 million. These projects align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aim to address crucial energy, environmental, and economic objectives.
Importance of Manufacturing and Materials Innovations
Dr. Christopher Saldaña, director of DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO), emphasized the significance of the research, stating, “These projects underscore the importance of manufacturing and materials innovations toward advancing a circular economy.” He also highlighted the partnership’s role in promoting transformative practices that enhance America’s manufacturing expertise while emphasizing environmental stewardship.
Addressing Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Manufacturing accounts for 25 percent of U.S. energy consumption, costing approximately $150 billion. U.S. industry is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 30 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
New Partners and Research Focus
In this latest round of funding, which marks the sixth investment cycle for the Institute, the DOE and the recipients are sharing costs. Several new partners have joined REMADE’s existing roster, which includes industry leaders and academic researchers such as Caterpillar, John Deere, Michelin, MIT, RIT, Unilever, Volvo, and Yale University.
Magdi Azer, chief technology officer at REMADE, shared insights into the focus of the Institute’s research, aiming to increase circularity for materials like metals, plastics/polymers, fibers, and electronic scrap. The projects will address multiple aspects of the Circular Economy, including systems analysis, circular design, remanufacturing and reuse, recovery and recycling.
Examples of Research Projects
- Remanufacturing cast iron components
- Removing contaminants from molten aluminum scrap
- Converting used shoe midsoles into sustainable foam for footwear
- Developing machine learning tools for textile sorting
- Designing recyclable multilayer flexible packaging
- Advancing machine learning tools for determining the state-of-health of used hybrid and electric vehicle batteries
REMADE’s Impact and Initiatives
Since its inception in 2017, REMADE has launched or selected almost 100 research and development projects with a combined value of nearly $100 million. These initiatives are geared towards reducing the use of primary materials, increasing the adoption of secondary materials, conserving energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Education and Workforce Development Initiative
In addition to the 14 research and development projects, REMADE has recently allocated funding for an education and workforce development initiative.
SOURCE: REMADE
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
- SDG 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
- SDG 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Increased share of renewable energy in the manufacturing sector
- Reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing sector
- Increase in the use of recycled materials in manufacturing processes
- Development of technologies for remanufacturing and reuse of materials
- Improvement in the efficiency of waste management and recycling processes
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | Increased share of renewable energy in the manufacturing sector |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable | Reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing sector |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse |
Increase in the use of recycled materials in manufacturing processes Improvement in the efficiency of waste management and recycling processes |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Development of technologies for remanufacturing and reuse of materials |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: waste360.com
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