CENC (Circular Economy and Natural Capital) area develops research projects on circular economy and natural capital, working with private and public partners at national and international level.

Topic

CENC supports the transition towards a circular and regenerative economic model, aiming at preserving the value of resources over time, taking into account their entire life cycle, as well as at regenerating natural capital and ecosystem services.

Research methodology

The CENC area is specialized in circularity assessment at multiple levels: micro- (e.g. enterprises), meso- (e.g. supply chains) and macro-level (e.g. regions). The CENC research group has developed methodologies and tools in order to assess enterprises’ activities circularity in several sectors, as food and beverage, textile and clothing and retail sectors.

Projects & Partners

CENC manages European and national projects, in addition to projects funded by private bodies.
CENC’s most recent European project is TRICK (H2020), which focuses on developing blockchain solutions to ensure traceability and information sharing. This project supports the adoption of sustainable and circular approaches in the textile and food supply chains. In addition, CENC area participated in the INCIRCLE project, which applied the principles of circular economy to the tourism sector.
CENC cooperates with private partners too. It works with GS1 implementing projects to support enterprises in their transition toward a more circular approach, in particular in home and personal care, food and beverage and retail sectors.
CENC area carries out training activities focused on circular economy as well, including the Circular Economy Academy, managed with KME and Circular School ENEL.

Impacts

The research group works with different stakeholders and participates in several public events, conferences and workshops on circular economy and ecosystem services. CENC’s activity produces relevant impacts on enterprises, institutions and NGOs in terms of dissemination and application of innovative tools and methodologies at national and international level.