IRMAR - Integrated Resource Management & Recovery

The project provides a scientifically based methodology for integrated assessment of management and recovery of non-renewable resources. The goal is to significantly enhance the development of resource efficient technology and enable maximum resource recovery in society with minimum environmental impacts. The project develops a ""Resource Quality Index"" for waste flows: 1) to enable quantification of the ""resource quality"" of individual waste and material flows, 2) to enable integrated assessment of both the environmental impacts and resource recovery aspects, and thereby 3) to support prioritisation of resource recovery strategies for Denmark. The Resource Quality Index methodology is based on further development of existing thermodynamically derived concepts for exergy and information theory derived entropy concepts. The Resource Quality Index is combined with a critical analysis and inventory development for resource flows in Denmark. The resource flow analysis is used as a basis for identification and prioritisation of critical resources and resource flows on a system level. The Resource Quality Index is integrated into world-leading waste specific lifecycle assessment (LCA) software (EASEWASTE) by development of computational models and a modelling framework for flexible implementation of future technologies. This integrated assessment tool is further used to evaluate real-life cases in close collaboration with major Danish stakeholders: 1) two resource types, 2) two waste matrices, and 3) one urban system. The project provides an essential platform for future prioritisation of resource recovery strategies and supports development of the associated technology. This will contribute significantly to strengthen Denmark's position regarding resource efficiency.