Project description
Boosting the circular economy of science and technology parks
Science and technology parks (STPs) are popular. There are more than 300 in Europe today. Driven by the growth of the longer standing parks and the emergence of new ones, STPs are common instruments used by regional and national authorities. The EU-funded RBM project aims to optimise the use of resources by transforming traditional STPs into sustainable eco-STPs. For instance, one company’s waste can provide the raw material or energy for another. The project will create a methodology and strategy for the revalorisation of waste, equipment and its reincorporation in the life cycle of the companies based in the parks. More than 80 % of these companies are SMEs, which create the majority of new jobs.
Objective
An eco- industrial park is an area where businesses work together to optimize the use of resources. Waste from one company provides the raw material or energy for another. This synergy between industries fosters economic benefits while contributing to sustainable development.
The main purpose of the project Recycling Business Models – RBM is indeed to investigate and analyse the possibility to transform traditional science and technology parks in more sustainable areas, to establish the basis of models of Eco science and technology parks. The principal objective of the project is indeed to create a methodology and a specific strategy to impulse especially the creation of new business opportunities for SMEs and the creation of new companies, based on the revalorisation of the wastes, equipment and its reincorporation in the life cycle of the companies located in science and technology parks.
More than 80% of the companies located within technology park in Europe are SMEs, which create the majority of new jobs in the economy of these countries. The development and improvement of ecosystem of innovation support to SMEs is indeed crucial for the scale up of the companies and the creation of new jobs, including the recruiting of talent.
RBM is based specifically on the opportunities for SMEs and companies the Circular Economy (CE) perspective can bring. New business models within this concept are beginning to deliver success and impact in terms of driving competitive benefits. Creating enterprises around sustainable models can improve both their environmental impact and competitiveness.
Great opportunities are arising due to new consumer demands, environmental regulatory pressures and innovation challenges, and early SMEs adopters are likely to enter the market and attract investment so the project will investigate on the establishment of new strategies for the design and delivery of more adequate innovation support programmes for SMEs within the field of CE.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
29590 Malaga
Spain