ConnectING 19 juni 2022

ONDERZOEKER IN DE KIJKER
PRODUCTION ENGINEERS
GATHER AT THE WORLD SUMMIT
IN LEUVEN
From 40 to 8 April, two international conferences took place
in Leuven: the 29th Conference on Life Cycle Engineering
(LCE) and the 9th Conference on Assembling Technology and
Systems (CATS). What made both events special is that they
shared part of their programme and thus created a unique
cross-fertilization between both domains. A look back on
an inspiring week.
Both conferences were under the aus -
pices of the International Academy
for Production Engineering (CIRP),
a leading organization in production
engineering research that unites more than
600 eminent academics and industrialists
worldwide. The conferences are always
high lights for exchanging the latest knowl -
edge and expertise. For most participants,
it was also a happy reunion after two years
of physical isolation due to the pandemic.
Those who preferred not to travel to Leuven
could follow both conferences fully online
and interact with the conference participants.
Circular engineering
Environmentally sustainable development
occupies a central place in the vision and
mission of the international academy.
In his opening speech, Prof. Wim Dewulf,
Chair of the LCE Conference, referred to
the Sustainable Development Goals of
the UN. “Production engineering is a
large contributor to energy and resource
consumption. Therefore, the challenge of
designing and manufacturing must reflect
the core concern of achieving a better and
more sustainable future for all”, said Prof
Dewulf. “More specifically, it is our task as
researchers, designers and builders to
assess the environmental sustainability
impacts of manufacturing activities in a life
cycle perspective”.
In his welcome address, Prof. Gerard
Govers, Vice-rector for Sustainability
Policy of KU Leuven, made the following
comparison: “The industrial society has
existed for about 200 years. In that
period, we have managed to create a lot
of prosperity, but at the cost of nature,
air, water, and biodiversity. Life on earth,
on the other hand, has existed for four
billion years and has also undergone an
enormous evolution. However, this growth
and diversity is based on circularity.
Nothing goes to waste; all materials and
substances have been reused countless
times. We should take this as an example.
That is why I say with all my heart: circular
engineering is the future!”
Prof. Karel Kellens
© Kobe Michiels
Studies and practices
The LCE 2022 Conference was a success
across the board. The offer consisted of
no less than 149 technical presentations,
6 keynotes, 3 workshops, a panel
discussion, and a multitude of networking
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