Sustainability in focus: Berlin research center takes off!

Sustainability in focus: Berlin research center takes off!

The Free University of Berlin founded the interdisciplinary research center on April 2, 2025 Center for Sustainable Resources – CSR|Berlin announced. The official founding event will take place on April 9, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Arnimallee 22. Lectures will be given by the renowned scientists Prof. Robert Schlögl and Prof. Peter Seeberger.

The central goal of CSR|Berlin is to promote innovative solutions for the sustainable use and recycling of resources. Under the leadership of founding director Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hasenstab-Riedel, the center will work with industrial partners and political decision-makers, among others, to transfer scientific findings into practice. Around 20 existing initiatives and projects will be integrated into the regional innovation transfer.

Research priorities and projects

The main research areas of CSR|Berlin include resource-saving chemical processes, the conversion of residues and interaction with the environment. Current projects include:

• Effizientere Kreislaufwirtschaft von Selten-Erd-Metallen.
• Die Umwandlung von Altlasten in nutzbare Basischemikalien.
• Entwicklung neuer Technologien zur Wasseraufbereitung.

One of the center's outstanding research achievements involves the development of a method for safely storing chlorine in ionic liquids, which could have potential applications in the energy industry and electronic waste recycling. An example project deals with chlorine storage for more stable energy use.

The CSR|Berlin is already considered a pioneer in its field. Two years ago, Hasenstab-Riedel's research group received the renowned research award from the Werner Siemens Foundation. This award testifies to the quality and innovation potential of the projects initiated at the center.

Integration into Berlin industry

The one published in 2022 also plays in the context of Berlin's industry Master plan for the industrial city of Berlin 2022-2026 (MPI) plays an important role. It focuses on “circular economy” measures and is intended to help make Berlin climate neutral. At the MPI conference on the Circular Economy, which took place on November 28, 2023, it was emphasized how central the circular economy is to the future development of the capital.

Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises, pointed out the need for innovative product designs in order to achieve climate goals. The series of events also offers a platform to develop opportunities and recommendations for action for politicians. The results of the “Requirements and Potential Analysis of the Circular Economy in Berlin’s Industrial Sector” were presented and show the important steps towards the implementation of a circular city.

Promoting innovation and protecting resources

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) also aims to develop innovative products, processes and services to protect natural resources. Several measures are supported in the area of ​​raw material efficiency and circular economy, including:

• Ressourcenschonendes Produktdesign.
• Innovative Recyclingverfahren.
• Urban Mining zur Gewinnung von Sekundärrohstoffen.

The close integration of science, industry and politics is crucial for the expansion of the circular economy in Berlin. Companies can submit project outlines at any time and the respective proposals will be evaluated based on criteria such as the degree of innovation and contribution to resource protection.

The development of innovative approaches to resource use and the circular economy will be further promoted, which will benefit both the economy and the environment.