Resource Lab

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Research

The ResourceLab works and researches on application-oriented solutions for developing resource strategies for sustainable technologies, the implementation of a sustainable and resilient bioeconomy and designing sustainable circular economy systems. Methodological focal points include criticality analyses, resilience, life cycle assessments and social life cycle assessments.

A selection of publications by the Resource Lab

2023

  • Beamer K., Elkington K., Tuma A., Thorenz A., Köhler S., Kukea-Shultz K., Kotubetey K., Winter K.: Island and Indigenous systems of circularity: how Hawai'i can inform the development of universal circular economy policy goals, Ecology and Society, https://doi.org/10.5751/es-13656-280109

  • Michalke A., Köhler S., Messmann L., Thorenz A., Tuma A., Gaugler T.: True cost accounting of organic and conventional food production, Journal of Cleaner Production Volume 408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137134

  • Wietschel L., Halter F., Thorenz A., Schüppel D., Koch D.: Literature review on the state of the art of the circular economy of Ceramic Matrix Composites, Journal Open Ceramics, Special Issue, Vol. 14.

2022

  • Beamer, K., K. Elkington, P. Souza, A. Tuma, A. Thorenz, S. Köhler, K. Kukea-Shultz, K. Kotubetey, and K. B. Winter. 2023. Island and Indigenous systems of circularity: how Hawaiʻi can inform the development of universal circular economy policy goals. Ecology and Society 28(1):9.
  • Charpentier Poncelet A., Loubet P., Helbig C., Beylot A., Muller S., Villeneuve J., Laratte B., Thorenz A., Tuma A., Sonnemann G.: Midpoint and endpoint characterization factors for mineral resource dissipation: methods and application to 6,000 data sets, The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
  • Köhler S.: How to unlock potentials of preparation for reuse: barriers and action recommendations, Die Unternehmung – Swiss Journal of Business Research and Practice, Special Issue Commodity Markets and Resource Management
  • Schneider T., Wietschel L., Schüppel D., Riesner J., Konrad K., Thorenz A., Tuma A., Koch D.: Multicriteria optimization as enabler for Sustainable Ceramic Matrix Composites, International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, Wiley.
  • Messmann L., Wietschel L., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: Assessing the Social Dimension in Strategic Network Optimization for a Sustainable Development: The Case of Bioethanol Production in the EU, Journal of Industrial Ecology, Gold Badge.
  • Alexandre Charpentier Poncelet, Christoph Helbig, Philippe Loubet, Antoine Beylot, Stéphanie Muller, Jacques Villeneuve, Bertrand Laratte, Andrea Thorenz, Axel Tuma & Guido Sonnemann: Losses and lifetimes of metals in the economy, Nature Sustainability.
  • Christoph Helbig, Jonas Huether, Charlotte Joachimsthaler, Christian Lehmann, Simone Raatz, Andrea Thorenz, Martin Faulstich, Axel Tuma: A terminology for downcycling, Journal of Industrial Ecology.
  • Andrea Thorenz, Armin Reller: Economic, Environmental, and Social Assessments of Raw Materials for a Green and Resilient Economy, Resources.
  • Helbig C., Yasushi K., Shinichiro N.: Simultaneously tracing the fate of seven metals at a global level with MaTrace-multi, Journal of Industrial Ecology.

2021

  • Barrio A., Burgoa Francisco F., Leoncini A., Wietschel A. and Thorenz A.: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of a Novel Bio-Based Multilayer Panel for Construction Applications, 10(10), 98; Special Issue Economic, Environmental, and Social Assessments of Raw Materials for a Green and Resilient Economy.
  • Helbig C., Bruckler M., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: An overview of indicator choice and normalization in raw material supply risk assessments, Resources 2021, 10(8), 79.
  • Beamer K., Tuma A., Thorenz A., Boldoczki S., Kotubetey K., Shultz K.K. and Elkington K. (2021): Reflections on Sustainability Concepts: Aloha ʻĀina and Circular Economy, Journal of Sustainability, 13(5), 2984.
  • Charpentier Poncelet A., Helbig C., Loubet P., Beylot A., Muller S., Villeneuve J., Laratte B., Thorenz A., Tuma A., Sonnemann G.: Life cycle impact assessment methods for estimating the impacts of dissipative flows of metals, Journal of Industrial Ecology.
  • Boldoczki S., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: Does increased circularity lead to environmental sustainability? The case of washing machine reuse in Germany, Journal of Industrial Ecology.

2020

  • Santillan-Saldivar J., Gaugler T., Helbig C., Rathgeber A., Sonnemann G., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: Design of an Endpoint Indicator for Mineral Resource Supply Risks in Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment: The case of Li-ion Batteries, Journal of Industrial Ecology.
  • Wietschel L., Messmann L., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: Environmental benefits of large-scale second-generation bioethanol production in the EU: An integrated supply chain network optimization and Life Cycle Assessment approach, Journal of Industrial Ecology, Gold Badge, 2020.
  • Helbig C., Bradshaw A.B., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: Supply Risk Considerations for the Elements in Nickel-based Superalloys, Resources 2020, 9(9), 106.
  • Sonderegger, T., Berger, M., Alvarenga, R. et al. Mineral resources in life cycle impact assessment—part I: a critical review of existing methods. Int J Life Cycle Assess (2020).
  • Berger, M., Sonderegger, T., Alvarenga, R. et al. Mineral resources in life cycle impact assessment: part II – recommendations on application-dependent use of existing methods and on future method development needs. Int J Life Cycle Assess (2020).
  • Messmann L., Zender V., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: How to Quantify Social Impacts in Strategic Supply Chain Optimization: State of the Art, Journal of Cleaner Production.

2019

  • Boldoczki S., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: The environmental impacts of preparation for reuse: A case study of WEEE reuse in Germany, Journal of Cleaner Production.
  • Schrijvers D., Hool A., Blengini G.A., Chen W.Q., Dewulf J., Eggert R., van Ellen L., Gauss R., Goddin J., Habib K., Hagelüken C., Hirohata A., Hofmann-Amtenbrink M., Kosmol J., Le Gleuher M., Grohol M., Ku A., Lee M.H., Liu G., Nansai K., Nuss P., Peck D., Reller A., Sonnemann G., Tercero L., Thorenz A., Wäger P.: A review of methods and data to determine raw material criticality, Resources, Conservation & Recycling,
  • Helbig C., Thorenz A., Tuma A.: Quantitative assessment of dissipative losses of 18 metals, 153, Resources, Conservation & Recycling,
  • Cimprich A., Bach V., Helbig C., Thorenz A., Schrijvers D., Sonnemann G., Young S.B., Sonderegger T., Berger M.: Raw material criticality assessment as a complement to environmental life cycle assessment: Examining methods for product‐level supply risk assessment, 2019, Journal of Industrial Ecology,
  • Messmann L., Helbig C., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Economic and environmental benefits of recovery networks for WEEE in Europe. Journal of Cleaner Production 222, 655-668,
  • Messmann L., Boldozcki S., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Potentials of preparation for reuse: A case study at collection points in the German state of Bavaria. Journal of Cleaner Production,
  • Wietschel L., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Spatially explicit forecast of feedstock potentials for second generation bioconversion industry from the EU agricultural sector until the year 2030. Journal of Cleaner Production 209, 1533-1544,

2018

  • Hutner P., Helbig C., Stindt D., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Transdisciplinary development of a life-cycle based approach to measure and communicate waste prevention effects in local authorities. Journal of Industrial Ecology 22(5), 1050-1065, https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12781
  • Helbig C., Bradshaw A.M., Wietschel L., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Supply risks associated with lithium-ion battery materials. Journal of Cleaner Production 172, 274-286,
  • Kolotzek C.
    Entwicklung einer nachhaltigkeitsorientierten Rohstoffbewertung zur Unterstützung von Entscheidungsprozessen in Unternehmen. Dissertationsschrift, Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden,
  • Kolotzek C., Helbig C., Thorenz A., Reller A., Tuma A.
    A company-oriented model for the assessment of raw material supply risks, environmental impact and social implications. Journal of Cleaner Production 178, 566-580,
  • Thorenz A., Wietschel L., Tuma A.
    Assessment of agroforestry residue potentials for the bioeconomy in the European Union. Journal of Cleaner Production 176, 348-359,

2017

  • Cimprich A., Young S.B., Helbig C., Gemechu E.D., Thorenz A., Tuma A., Sonnemann G.
    Extension of geopolitical supply risk methodology: Characterization model applied to conventional and electric vehicles. Journal of Cleaner Production 162, 754-763,
  • Hutner P.
  • Transdisziplinärer Ansatz zur Förderung einer Circular Economy durch nachhaltiges Ressourcenmanagement. Identifikation von Handlungsoptionen und Evaluierung von Umweltauswirkungen der Abfallvermeidung. Dissertationsschrift, Verlag Dr. Kovač, Hamburg,
  • Hutner P., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Waste prevention in communities: A comprehensive survey analyzing status quo, potentials, barriers and measures. Journal of Cleaner Production 141, 837-851,
  • Helbig C., Kolotzek C., Thorenz A., Reller A., Tuma A., Schafnitzel M., Krohns S.
    Benefits of resource strategy for sustainable materials research and development. Sustainable Materials and Technology 12, 1-8,
  • Wagner B.
    Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung der Finanzwirtschaft. In: Finanzwirtschaft in ethischer Verantwortung. Erfolgskonzepte für Social Banking und Social Finance, G. Krämer (Hrsg.), Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden, 1-26,

2016

  • Helbig C., Bradshaw A. M., Kolotzek C., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Supply Risks Associated with CdTe and CIGS Thin-Film Photovoltaics. Applied Energy 178, 422-433,
  • Helbig C., Eskinder D. Gemechu, Pillain B., Young S.B., Thorenz A., Tuma A., Sonnemann G.
    Extending the geopolitical supply risk indicator: Application of life cycle sustainability assessment to the petrochemical supply chain of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers. Journal of Cleaner Production 137, 1170-1178,
  • Helbig C., Wietschel L., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    How to evaluate raw material vulnerability – an overview. Resources Policy 48, 13-24,
  • Nertinger S., Wagner B.
    Nachhaltigkeit in der deutschen Forstwirtschaft – Handlungsbedarf erkennen, Potenziale nutzen. Forsttechnische Informationen (FTI), KWF, Sonderausgabe 1, Nachhaltigkeit und Umweltschutz, 8-10.
  • Reller A.
    Criticality of metal based functional materials – How multi-functional trans-technical metal based materials are mobilized and how they get lost by dissipation. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry 1, 25-27,
  • Resource Lab der Universität Augsburg, Landesamt für Umwelt
    Leitfaden zur Erstellung kommunaler Abfallvermeidungskonzepte, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz (Hrsg.). Download: [Leitfaden]
  • Wagner B.
    Spielräume für sozial verantwortliches Investment – eine Hinführung, In: CSR und Investment Banking, Karen Wendt (Hrsg.), Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden, IX – XV.
  • Wagner B., Nakajima, M.
    Towards New Potentials and Issues of Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) as a Sustainability Management Tool, based on the International Standardizations of ISO 14051 and ISO 14052. Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, Japan 12(2), 54-59.

2015

  • Bensch S., Kolotzek C., Helbig C., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Decision Support System for the Sustainability Assessment of Critical Raw Materials in SMEs, 48th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), 846-855,
  • Gemechu E., Helbig C., Sonnemann G., Thorenz A., Tuma A.
    Import‐based indicator for the geopolitical supply risk of raw materials in life cycle sustainability assessments. Journal of Industrial Ecology 20(1), 154-165,
  • Guenther E., Jasch C., Schmidt M., Wagner B., Ilg P.
    Material Flow Cost Accounting – looking back and ahead, editorial, Journal of Cleaner Production 108, 1249–1254,
  • Nakajima M., Asako K., Wagner B.
    Introduction of material flow cost accounting (MFCA) to the supply chain: a questionnaire study on the challenges of constructing a low-carbon supply chain to promote resource efficiency. Journal of Cleaner Production 108(B), 1302-1309,
  • Tuma A., Reller A., Thorenz A., Kolotzek C., Helbig C.Nachhaltige Ressourcenstrategien in Unternehmen: Identifikation kritischer Rohstoffe und Erarbeitung von Handlungsempfehlungen zur Umsetzung einer ressourceneffizienten Produktion. DBU-Projekt: Nr 30438. Augsburg. Endbericht. Download: [Endbericht] [Projektleitfaden]
  • Wagner B.
    A report on the origins of Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) research activities. Journal of Cleaner Production 108, 1255-1261,

2014

  • Marwede M., Reller A.
    Estimation of Life Cycle Material Costs of Cadmium Telluride- and CoSer Indium Gallium Diselenide-Photovoltaic Absorber Materials based on Life Cycle Material Flows. Journal of Industrial Ecology 18(2), 254 -267,
  • Grandell L., Thorenz A.
    Silver supply risk analysis for the solar sector. Renewable Energy 69, 157-165,
    2013
  • Achzet B., Helbig C.
    How to evaluate raw material supply risk - an overview. Resources Policy 38(4), 435-447,

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