The 12th Encon Sustainability Award recognizes innovative applications of AI in circular business models
Yesterday, Björn Tomas Minde and Niklas Bäcklund received the Encon Sustainability Award from Minister Jo Brouns. Their master’s thesis empirically demonstrates how AI can help companies innovate their circular business models within an industrial symbiosis. “It was the combination of the innovative nature and practical applicability that ultimately convinced the jury,” said Robin Bruninx, CEO of Encon. The award comes with a cash prize of 2,500 euros and an invitation to explore whether they can continue their innovative work at Encon.
For 12 years, Encon has been using its Sustainability Award to encourage young people to think innovatively and progressively about sustainability in business. Every day, the sustainability expert demonstrates to its clients that financial, social, and economic growth can go hand in hand. This does, however, require companies to have a strong sense of long-term vision and to think “outside the box.” “Exactly what Björn Tomas and Niklas have shown us by creating cross-pollination between sustainability, artificial intelligence, and industrial symbiosis,” praises Bruninx. “In this way, they’re opening the door for many companies to grow sustainably and more efficiently together.”
Their research provides insights into the application of circular business model innovation (CBMI), supported by AI. Specifically, the “Entrepreneurship and Innovation” students at Sweden’s Luleå University of Technology investigated how AI can be deployed in an industrial symbiosis involving five companies, where residual gases from the steel production of Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB are used for electricity and district heating production.
But their research is more than just another showcase for the technological possibilities AI offers. “Our thesis was an eye-opener for an EU-funded project focused on industrial symbiosis. It highlighted just how vital close collaboration and transparent communication were in this project to ensure the success of digital innovation across company boundaries,” says Bäcklund.
At Encon, too, they are exploring the possibilities AI offers to help companies grow more sustainably. To that end, Bruninx spent a week attending an intensive masterclass at MIT in Boston. “Immediately afterward, we started offering training to our employees and incorporating the insights into our working group on digitization and innovation. We are convinced that, with smart human oversight and high-quality data, AI can lead to better operational efficiency and more sustainable businesses. This is exactly what our winners have demonstrated is possible.”
Björn Tomas and Niklas received their award from Jo Brouns, Flemish Minister of Economy, Employment, and Innovation. Flanders also encourages companies and citizens to use AI to solve societal challenges.
“It’s great that Encon is committed to this sustainability award, because that remains the biggest challenge for our society. The winners therefore combine two of our Flemish priorities in innovation policy: the sustainable and circular transition of our economy and the digital revolution, including applications such as AI. They clearly demonstrate that by working together, companies can reduce their CO2 emissions. That remains important to keep these industrial players here, both for the climate and for jobs and our prosperity,” said Brouns.
