Industrial research school to advance sustainable metal manufacturing

A new industry-focused graduate school led by Jönköping University (JU) aims to address some of the most pressing challenges facing industrial companies. It will strengthen the sector’s ability to handle shortages of raw materials and energy, while helping companies’ transition and maintain their competitive edge.

The initiative comes in response to a changing global landscape. Geopolitical tensions have made access to raw materials and energy more uncertain, while the need for high-performance materials and components is increasing. For the Swedish metal industry, an important part of the country’s export sector, rapid skills development is essential.

Over the next six years, researchers and industrial PhD students will work together to develop solutions that reduce climate impact while improving productivity. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with companies and will be based on real-world materials and manufacturing challenges.

“We are in a situation where access to materials and energy can no longer be taken for granted. This project is about building the skills needed to create a more robust and sustainable (metallic) materials and manufacturing sector in Sweden,” says Ehsan Ghassemali, Professor of Materials and Manufacturing at the School of Engineering, JU, and the project’s leader.

Focus on reuse, performance and efficiency

The graduate school will focus on three key areas: increasing the reuse of materials and components, improving material performance, and enhancing the efficiency of manufacturing processes. The research spans a wide range of topics, from casting and materials technology to supply chains and the use of data and AI. The goal is to develop solutions that both reduce climate impact and strengthen industrial resilience and productivity.

As a start, nine PhD students will work closely with partner companies, ensuring a strong link between research and practical application. The goal is to expand the school with more PhD students within two years of the project’s start.

“We believe that the collaboration within CIRCUMET IGS will build a bridge between academia and industry. It provides us in industry with a platform to develop new knowledge addressing our real-world challenges and to translate theoretical research into practical benefits,” says Henrik Karlsson, PhD, Expert Materials Technology Engineer, Volvo Group.

Strengthening research and competitiveness

The initiative aligns with Jönköping University’s strategic focus on collaboration and sustainable development. By bringing together researchers, and industrial PhD students, the graduate school will strengthen both the academic environment and the competence of the business sector.

“One of the key strengths of this project is that the research is driven by real needs in the industry. That increases both its relevance and the potential to create immediate impact,” says Ehsan Ghassemali.

The project also has a clear climate dimension. By using materials more efficiently and increasing reuse, industrial companies can reduce emissions. Since metal components are central to everything from vehicles to energy systems, the potential environmental benefits are significant.

In the long term, the industrial graduate school is also expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish industry by building new expertise in a strategically important area.

“The ambition is to create a strong community of industrial experts in the field, to continue to deliver value long after the project has ended—through knowledge creation, networks and concrete solutions for industry,” says Ehsan Ghassemali.