Building a true circular economy that is respectful of the environment and citizens requires exploring, discovering and exploiting new resources: urban mines. In order to offer innovative solutions integrating technical, economic and social dimensions, Eco Systèmes and ParisTech have concluded an academic and research partnership which led to the creation of the “Urban Mines” chair in 2014.

Entirely dedicated to the development of new recycling methods of resources from WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), this partnership is part of the sponsorship, with the support of the ParisTech Foundation and brings together three schools from the ParisTech network: Arts et Métiers ParisTech, Chimie ParisTech - PSL and Mines ParisTech. The Urban Mines Chair was renewed until 2024 with the support of the ParisTech Foundation and ESR’s sponsorship (ESR is the result of a merger between Eco Systèmes and Récylum from January 1, 2018).

The Chair’s strategic priorities

The “Urban Mines” academic and research chair brings together numerous researchers and teacher researchers working around three priorities:

  • The optimization of the strategic metals recycling sector
  • The optimization of the production of quality polymers from recycling that can be used by the industry
  • The identification of the emergence conditions (brakes and levers) of a new “closed loop” economic model

Co-Holders of the Chair

  • Vincent Semetey, Director of Research at the CNRS, Head of the Chair, Chimie ParisTech - PSL
  • Carole Charbuillet, Research Engineer; Arts et Métiers ParisTech
  • Franck Aggeri, Professor in Management at the Scientific Management Center, Mines ParisTech