On 28th and 29th May 2024, CIRCULÉIRE participated in the Manufacturing and Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition (MASC) in the RDS Dublin, contributing to discussions on cutting-edge advancements in circular innovation. MASC is the largest manufacturing conference in Ireland with a focus on a wide range of sectors.
Day 1 Highlights:
Dr Geraldine Brennan, PhD, IMR's Head of Circular Economy and CIRCULÉIRE lead, delivered an impactful presentation on the Sustainability Stage titled "Transforming Business Models towards Circularity."
Geraldine emphasised the importance of combining multiple circular strategies to unlock ESG outcomes, stating, “The transformational potential of circularity comes from combining multiple circular strategies... moreover, there are many different ESG outcomes and impacts.”
Meanwhile, IMR’s Circular Economy project funded by EPA Ireland, AI4CE project (AI for Circular Economy), took to the IoT & Industry 4.0 Stage with a presentation titled "AI-Driven Circularity: Insights & Opportunities for Irish Enterprise."
This innovative project aims to demystify AI adoption in manufacturing while advancing circular economy strategies. Enya O'Connell Hussey (Circular Economy Project Officer, IMR), highlighted the vital role of AI in this space, saying, “AI-driven circularity is more than a trend; it's the future of sustainable manufacturing.”
Veena Grace Thomas, Industrial Analyst Researcher, IMR, added, “In the race towards sustainability, data science is our most powerful tool. Let's harness its potential to transform waste into wealth and redefine manufacturing.”
Day 2 Highlights:
The second day of MASC saw Dr Geraldine Brennan participating in a Fireside Chat on the Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences Stage. Joined by Duncan Flack, Chairman and Global Sustainability Lead at CiPPPA and Honeywell, the discussion focused on "Closing the Loop: Advancing Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Packaging."
Later, Geraldine joined a dynamic panel discussion on the Sustainability Stage featuring CIRCULÉIRE member Paul McSweeney (The ZeroNet), Mike Townsend (Earthshine Group), and Francis O’Haire (Techies Go Green). Together, they explored the challenges of transitioning from linear to circular models, spotlighting industry exemplars such as IQUTECH, The ZeroNet, Freefoam Building Products Ltd, and REvolve for their gold-standard circular transitions.
Geraldine remarked, “Circular Economy is not without its challenges, but everything is to play for,” encapsulating the opportunities and obstacles in mainstreaming circularity.
Spotlight on Members:
CIRCULÉIRE members Huhtamaki Cup Print and IQUTECH also exhibited at MASC, exemplifying circular innovation in action.
Huhtamaki’s environmentally friendly paper cups are both recyclable and compostable, setting a benchmark for sustainable packaging solutions.
IQUTECH continues to lead in circularity by offering clients bespoke software solutions and consultancy services, empowering companies to meet their Sustainable Development Goals and manage circular economy activities effectively.
CIRCULÉIRE: Driving the Future of Circular Innovation
CIRCULÉIRE’s presence at MASC 2024 highlighted the intersection of circular innovation and manufacturing to create a more sustainable future. From showcasing AI-driven decision-making tools to demonstrating industry-leading exemplars, the event reaffirmed that the future of manufacturing is circular.
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