“When we use something we normally throw it away. This is the linear economy, and this means that the product has an end of life. This is not good. Our economy cannot go this way forever.” This is Nicola Armaroli’s reply when asked about his definition for ‘circular economy’.

During the SUNRISE consortium meeting held in May in Bologna (Italy), we had the opportunity to interview SUNRISE consortium member Nicola Armaroli. As a research director at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Nicola is an expert in photochemistry and photophysics, and he explains how the solar energy can contribute to make the circular economy a reality.

Watch this insightful interview and grasp more about this key concept. This is the first of a series of video interviews with SUNRISE experts. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels - there are still more to come!

Pssst! Interested in grasping more about SUNRISE mission and goals? Don’t miss our previous video interviews with:

• Hélène Lepaumier, research engineer at ENGIE Laborelec, on Renewable Fuels
• Huub de Groot, professor at Leiden University and SUNRISE coordinator, on the Artificial Photosynthesis
• Katrin Mueller, research engineer at Siemens, on solar energy‘s contribution to a carbon-neutral society