Sr. Sustainability Director, Aspen Technology, Inc.
Background
Dr. Paige Marie Morse works with process industry leaders to define strategies to address sustainability targets through digitalization. She also leads AspenTech’s engagement with industry networks and coalitions, including the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, and the Energy Transitions Commission. Prior to AspenTech, she worked for leading operating companies, including Shell, Dow and Clariant, in R&D, marketing, commercial and strategy roles in the US and Europe. Paige holds a BA from Kenyon College and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Illinois.
To provide insights about how circularity is key to achieving sustainability goals, Tim Langdon, publisher of Eco Voice, had the pleasure of facilitating a Q & A with Dr. Paige Morse, Senior Director, Aspen Technology.
1. What is circularity?
Circularity is an approach that keeps materials in use for as long as possible, essentially turning waste into feedstock. Holistically, the circular economy approach demands a complete rethinking of current operations and logistics, connecting disparate value chains to enable efficiencies and material recovery. In some cases, process redesign may be required to integrate waste into new production. This requires a major mindset shift, as traditionally, companies operate in silos and value chains are disconnected.
2. Why is circularity key to achieving sustainability goals?
Reducing waste is key to achieving sustainability goals and is often recognized as feedstock efficiency all the way through to zero waste processes. A circular approach will require industry to stop seeing waste and unwanted production as something to dispose of, but instead as potentially new raw materials that can be utilized in another value chain. For example, waste oil from restaurants and homes can be recycled for use as feedstock for transportation fuels. When the full lifecycle is considered, reuse of materials can significantly reduce the emissions and waste compared with new material production.
3. How large is the circular economy in Australia?
The National Science Agency of Australia estimates that only about 4% of the country’s economy is circular. The Agency has defined a circular economy roadmap that highlights five key industries with the most potential to improve international competitiveness: mining, construction, manufacturing, agriculture and resource recovery. Plastics recycling is part of the resource recovery focus, and the local government offers incentive programs to convert plastics to valuable products.
4. What is a good example of circularity in practice?
AspenTech is a member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), an association that connects participants across the plastics value chain to develop circularity solutions. The Alliance was an early supporter of recycling innovator CRDC Global, which opened its newest eco-friendly material facility in Melbourne in April 2024. CRDC, which means Center for Regenerative Design & Collaboration, converts waste plastic into concrete additive RESIN8 at three other locations worldwide for use in the construction industry. CRDC is one of many creative circularity projects that the Alliance provides funding, expertise and support to globally.
5. What are some of the barriers holding back more widespread circularity adoption?
A barrier in holding back more widespread circularity adoption is the challenge of aligning business goals and activities. This depends on how effectively connections can be forged across industries, especially for alternative feedstocks. For example, the chemicals industry will need to put significant emphasis on collaboration as they progress from using crude feedstocks to bio-based or waste materials as input to their production processes. Additionally, many processes are major energy consumers – in some regions this sector is the largest consumer – and will need to improve efficiencies to meet reduced emissions targets.
6. What measures can be taken to get more businesses to embrace circularity in their business?
Digital technology is mission-critical in helping innovators develop new processes for circular systems. Using waste or bio-based materials and even CO2 as feedstocks requires the development of new processes that benefit from using digital simulation. One recent development is the use of CO2 to produce methanol, a base chemical used to make a wide variety of consumer products. Previously, petrochemicals were used to produce methanol, but the abundance of CO2 makes it an excellent raw material and embodies what the circular economy is about. Using CO2 as a feedstock, however, is not enough. It is also critical to think about how to constantly reuse the same molecules multiple times to eliminate waste. That reuse process must also be mindful about the energy it consumes.
7. How can publications, such as Eco Voice, play their part in promoting circularity?
Publications, such as Eco Voice, can play their part in promoting circularity by enabling associations and companies to share their stories and educate the industry about circularity.
ABOUT ECO VOICE
First published in 2003, Eco Voice is your go-to publication for sustainability news in Australia. Eco Voice prides itself as an independent news platform with a clear focus on sustainability, with articles coming from a diverse range of contributors – all levels of government, corporations, not-for-profits, community groups, small to medium sized businesses, universities, research organisations, together with input from international sources. Eco Voice values community, conservation and commerce. Eco Voice is a media partner of the prestigious Australian Banksia Sustainability Awards – The Peak Sustainability Awards.
About Aspen Technology
Aspen Technology (NASDAQ:AZPN) is a global software leader helping industries at the forefront of the world’s dual challenge meet the increasing demand for resources from a rapidly growing population in a profitable and sustainable manner. AspenTech solutions address complex environments where it is critical to optimize the asset design, operation and maintenance lifecycle. Through our unique combination of deep domain expertise
and innovation, customers in asset-intensive industries can run their assets safer, greener, longer and faster to improve their operational excellence. To learn more, visit AspenTech.com.
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