Developing sustainable and circular materials

The development of sustainable materials and the promotion of circular economies are essential in the transition to net zero. Professors David Bucknall and Gabriela Medero lead this theme, which focuses on exploring and applying a wide variety of materials that are crucial to reducing carbon emissions across industries.

The research spans the full lifecycle of materials, from their creation to their reuse, ensuring that waste is minimised, and products are designed for durability and recyclability. This theme addresses the growing need for industries to adopt circular principles, where resources are reused and waste is eliminated, contributing to the broader goals of a circular economy.

By collaborating with industry partners, the research ensures that these sustainable materials can be applied in practical ways, from construction to manufacturing, contributing directly to reducing the environmental impact of various sectors.

The Global Research Institute for Net Zero (iNetZ+) at Heriot-Watt University plays a pivotal role in fostering interdisciplinary research that addresses the most pressing environmental and societal challenges of our time. Through its innovative research themes, iNetZ+ encourages collaboration across our school-based institutes, integrating expertise from engineering, social sciences, and the natural sciences. This collaborative approach is further strengthened by partnerships with other global research institutes at Heriot-Watt, ensuring that our collective efforts push the boundaries of sustainable solutions for a net-zero future.