ÉTS

Mission

Launched in September 2020, CERIEC’s mission is to contribute to the formation and deployment of the circular economy through a cutting-edge interdisciplinary scientific research program and initiatives involving training, dialogue, added-value and transfer, with a view to maximizing benefits for economic stakeholders, governments and society as a whole. 

CERIEC’s goal is to become the preferred reference in terms of knowledge, skills and the creation of value in connection with the circular economy in Québec.

Located at ÉTS, it provides a substantial testing space for researchers and engineering students, especially with respect to innovations intended to facilitate the transition toward a sustainable future. 

For more information concerning the circular economy, visit our reference platform.

     Annie Levasseur
Scientific Direction

     Daniel Normandin
Director

     Benjamin Laplatte
Assistant Director

Chantal Rossignol
Laboratory Ecosystem Coordinator

Hortense Montoux
Project Manager, Acceleration Laboratory

First General Assembly of CERIEC members (February 26)

Intervention components

Research and innovation

Objective: Contribute to the advancement of knowledge and enhance the capacity for interdisciplinary research and innovation with respect to solutions, business models and technology leading to a sustainable circular economy.

An inclusive approach: Circular economy acceleration laboratories
Certain business sectors or strategies related to the circular economy and identified as priorities (e.g.: plastics, construction, agri-food, the functionality economy, etc.) are subject to accelerated deployment through an approach dubbed “acceleration laboratories”. Based on the model of living labs, acceleration laboratories are organized and managed from the perspective of an ecosystem.

Logo DesjardinsBorn of a partnership between Desjardins Group and ÉTS, this approach represents a formidable testing ground that will accelerate the transition toward a circular economy for priority sectors/strategies and the development of benefits in the areas of knowledge, solutions and innovative technology.

Each laboratory should produce the following benefits:

  • Create a forum for dialogue between researchers, whether members of CERIEC or not, and other pertinent stakeholders (companies, governments, NPOs, citizens, etc.);
  • Work together to develop of solutions, technologies, tools and deployment methodologies, and to create knowledge;
  • Test innovations at the pilot stage, with a feedback mechanism for stakeholders via the dialogue forum;
  • Ensure added-value and knowledge transfer by training users and enriching post-secondary education programs, among other initiatives.
Education and training

Objective: Increase the highly skilled labour pool available to support the deployment of the circular economy through training and the development of skills among engineers, managers and professionals.

Summer school and MOOC: Invaluable educational tools
Since 2017, CERIEC and its partners have overseen the organization of summer schools (in French), and in 2018, proposed the creation of an online university course that is open to everyone (MOOC) entitled “Économie circulaire: une transition incontournable“ (Circular economy: An essential transition).

Developed for citizens, professionals, students, researchers, elected officials and educators from every background, the course is intended for everyone who wishes to learn more about the concept of the circular economy. There are no prerequisite qualifications for taking the course.

Outreach and communication

Objective: Maintain a continuous dialogue with stakeholders in the community with a view to directing research and training activities toward the needs of society and informing public policy.

The Pôle québécois de concertation sur l’économie circulaire (Québec centre for consultation on the circular economy): A single consultation website for the community.
Since 2015, dozens of organizations from the industrial, associative, union, environment and government sectors have joined forces to mobilize and create conditions favourable to the transition toward the circular economy in Québec. The Pôle québécois de concertation sur l’économie circulaire is one of the main contributors to the “official” Québec definition of a circular economy.

Added-value and transfer

Objective: Support the efforts of companies, governments and society as a whole with a view to accelerating the transition toward a circular economy through the effective transfer of knowledge, solutions, technology and skills.

QuébecCirculaire.org: The reference platform for Québec’s transition to a circular economy
Québec Circulaire is part of an international francophone network for the circular economy comprising collaborative and interconnected platforms from Canada, France and Switzerland. This knowledge ecosystem acts as a virtual social network for projects and cooperation among multiple stakeholders within these territories.

Sustainable Development

ÉTS is a Leader in Sustainable Development!

As a teaching and research establishment, ÉTS has long recognized its responsibilities to the next generation, the environment and society. That’s why, in 2008, the School adopted its sustainable development policy (in French). Since then, its concern for the impacts of its activities on the environment, the economy and society has not wavered.  And its actions have borne fruit!