The UPZENT project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research under grant number 033R239A, was initiated in 2016 by the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS) at the University of Trier. Its core objective was to transform the concept of an “upcycling centre” into a transferable, scalable business model that could be replicated at additional sites with varying starting conditions. The project’s ambition was to embed a sustainable, circular economy at the regional level by converting industrial waste streams into valuable products, thereby extending the life cycle of materials and reducing the need for thermal disposal.

Technically, UPZENT developed a comprehensive framework that covers the entire product life cycle—from raw material selection and design to production, marketing, and eventual reuse or recycling. A key deliverable was the Standardized Material Flow Management (SSM) model, which provides a systematic approach to classify, quantify, and manage waste streams. The project also produced a set of design guidelines and production protocols that enable designers to create upcycled products from predominantly regional waste materials. Two prototype product lines were showcased: the “ILONA” pouch and the “THIN NGOC” bag, both designed by the K8 Institute and manufactured in the social enterprises AQA gGmbH (Neunkirchen) and FAUK e.V. (Herzogenrath). While the report does not disclose specific quantitative performance metrics, it reports that the prototypes were evaluated through a life‑cycle assessment and a SWOT analysis, confirming that the upcycling processes achieved material yield rates comparable to conventional manufacturing and that the resulting products met consumer expectations for durability and aesthetics.

The project also addressed the business and organisational aspects of upcycling centres. A detailed marketing and communication strategy was formulated, including stakeholder and target‑group analyses, market and competitor assessments, and a business model canvas that identifies revenue streams, cost structures, and partnership opportunities. The financial plan outlines a viable long‑term structure, and a questionnaire‑based evaluation coupled with a SWOT analysis was used to validate the proposed model. External experts were consulted to review the business model and to ensure alignment with broader circular economy goals.

Collaboration was a cornerstone of UPZENT. The consortium comprised academic researchers from IfaS, designers from the K8 Institute, and two social enterprises—AQA gGmbH and FAUK e.V.—which provided production facilities and workforce integration services. The project fostered cross‑sectoral partnerships by linking universities, industry, and social enterprises, thereby creating a network that supports knowledge transfer and resource sharing. The project’s timeline spanned from 2016 to 2023, culminating in a final report published on 28 February 2023. Throughout its duration, UPZENT engaged in public outreach through conferences, trade fairs, and media releases, and it developed a sensitisation concept for corporate social responsibility and circular economy awareness.

In summary, UPZENT delivered a robust, end‑to‑end upcycling framework that integrates material flow management, product design, production, marketing, and business modelling. The project demonstrated the feasibility of converting industrial waste into marketable goods while simultaneously creating employment opportunities within social enterprises. By establishing a replicable business model and a network of partners, UPZENT laid the groundwork for scaling up upcycling centres across Germany, thereby contributing to the country’s transition toward a resource‑efficient circular economy.