Howest University of Applied Sciences in Kortrijk has opened the Circular Solution Lab. There, Howest students work together with local companies, such as custom company Forena. “Within the Circular Solution Lab we actually took up the challenge to redesign their pallet boxes,” said teacher Katrijn Sabbe. “These pallet boxes are used to collect electronic material from the recycling parks.”
The students made, among other things, a piece of iron with a high-tech machine, so that the boxes become sturdier. “This is the only machine of that kind in Flanders,” Katrijn continues. “This machine can print very fine and detailed parts with those pellets and then ultimately test and stimulate products.”
Circularity
The lab helps to design products in such a way that you can use them indefinitely. “The emphasis is on circularity, which is essential today,” says Frederik D’hulster, Managing Director of Howest. “Each product is designed with a certain lifespan and also has an end phase. It is therefore important that we design products in such a way that they can be easily reused and dismantled after use, and ultimately have the smallest possible impact on the environment.”
