MechE Honorary Lecture: Technologies for Sustainable Resilient Value Chains

Abstract:

Manufacturing stands at a pivotal juncture, influenced by evolving global dynamics that are redefining economic, social, and environmental priorities. The advent of Digital and 4th Industrial Revolution technologies has emerged as a catalyst for circular manufacturing practices, emphasizing the principles of reuse, remanufacture, and recycle. By adopting and implementing these technologies and fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation, manufacturers can successfully navigate the transition towards circular manufacturing practices in alignment with the evolving global landscape. To navigate this transition effectively, a strategic roadmap can then be based on: Embrace Technological Advancements, Adopt Circular Design Principles, Establish Collaborative Ecosystems, Implement Sustainable Practices, Invest in Workforce Development, Monitor Progress and Adapt.


Biography:

Prof. Dr. Dimitris Kyritsis (Kiritsis) is Professor Emeritus of ICT for Sustainable Manufacturing at EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, Academic Director of the EPFL Extension School program on Sustainable Resilient Value Chains, Senior Adviser at the Department of Informatics of the University of Oslo, Norway and Senior Adviser at the Swiss Smart Factory, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. From 2019 to 2021 Dimitris served as Director of the Doctoral program EDRS of EPFL and from 2013 to 2019 as Chair of IFIP WG5.7-Advances in Production Management Systems. Dimitris is founding member of the Industrial Ontologies Foundry (2016) and of the Knowledge Graph Alliance (2023). Member of the Advisory Group LEIT-NMBP of the European Commission from 2013 to 2017 and Member of the WEF Global Future Council on Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains from 2019 to 2022. Since 2022 Dimitris is Editor-in-Chief of the Open Access journal Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology.