The course is based on 6 different themes:

1. Sustainable business and conditions for a circular economy

2. Materials and available resources (metals, ceramics, minerals, polymers and organic materials)

3. Natural raw materials

a. Exploration and environmental impact (metals and minerals)

b. Mining and environmental impact (metals and minerals)

4. Processing and recycling of materials (all materials)

5. Design, manufacture and use in a circular economy (all materials)

6. Recycling and reuse (polymers, ceramics, organic materials and metals)

After passing the course, the student should be able to ...

• Explain the different principles of circular economy and apply them to different materials.
• Explain how properties of different processes and different materials contribute to a circular economy. For higher grades it is necessary to demonstrate the ability to question and analyze the constraints and challenges in the connection between different processes, materials and circular economics.
• Holistically analyze how changes in processes and / or materials composition affect sustainability goals and the conditions for a circular economy. A holistic perspective includes technical, organizational as well as society's perspective. For higher grades, the student is required to adapt the holistic analysis to the context of the problem.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently solve problems, as well as the ability to present the solution orally and in writing.

The course is based on two parallell parts. Firstly, lectures, providing a general overview of materials in a circular economy. All lectures and seminars are mandatory. Up to 5 missed lectures can be compensated for with individual assignments. Secondly, a group project where students identify a topic of interest and summarize the current research frontier in a report. Supervision for the group projects will be planned during the scheduled time for project work. All supervision is voluntary, but the projects will be graded assuming the students have had access to individual supervision. 

30/8              13-15            Le1 Intro

2/9                10-12            Le2 Intro cont

6/9                13-15            Le3 Energy in a Circular economy

8/9                13-15            Le4 Circular supply chains and recycling

9/9                8-12              Supervision

13/9              13-15            Le5 Metals

15/9              13-15            Le6 Polymers and composites (guest lecture)

16/9              8-12              Supervision

20/9              13-15            Sorting and characterization

22/9              13-15            Se1 Project half time presentation

23/9              8-12              Own work

29/9              13-15            Le8 Case introduction based on ongoing research

30/9              8-12              Supervision

6/10              13-15            Le9 Material Economics (guest lecture)

7/10              8-10              Se2 Case

11/10            13-15            Le10 Final lecture

13/10            13-15            Se3 Final project presentations

20/10                                  Final submission of project reports

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

• PRO1 - Seminar assignments, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• PRO2 - Project assignment, 4.5 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The examiner, in consultation with the KTH Disability Coordinator (Funka), decides on any adapted examination for students with documented permanent impairment.

The examiner may grant another examination form for reexamination of single students.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.