Innovation
From Research to Impact: Front-Runners Unite Around Circular Green Transition
How do we translate groundbreaking research into scalable business models with real societal impact? This question formed the framework when DTU and the World Climate Foundation invited participants to the workshop Science-to-Impact: Net-Positive Impact Through Business Innovation at DTU on March 2, 2026.
Scaling Requires the Courage to Take Risks
Entrepreneur and former Minister for Higher Education and Science, Tommy Ahlers, takes the stage. He points out that the green agenda today faces more skepticism and less political tailwind than just a few years ago, when climate and sustainability were among the strongest buzzwords of the time. But the necessity has not changed, he emphasizes:“You cannot build a strategy on something that is fashionable or popular. You must build it on what is necessary. The technologies for climate neutrality by 2050 already exist, but many are still too expensive. The biggest barrier is not more research—it is getting the technologies to market and to customers. The best way to make them cheaper is through scaling, and that requires us to take responsibility ourselves.”
He stresses that we cannot wait for political consensus:
“Europe needs cheaper and cleaner energy now, and therefore we must electrify and invest massively in renewable solutions now—whether they come from solar, wind, water, or other technologies.”
Tommy Ahlers highlights courage and willingness to take risks as crucial for bringing solutions to scale:
“Scaling requires that we dare to take risks. Ambition must come before certainty. Talent, strong business models, partnerships with industry, and the first customers are essential—without them, the transition will stall. The most overlooked factor is precisely the customers. Without them, we cannot bring technologies into the world, and we will never become European champions. In Europe, we must dare to take chances, as we did with solar and wind.”
Despite headwinds, Tommy Ahlers' message is clear:
“The direction is still the right one. Stay on the path and lean into the work. Keep researching, developing, and finding new technologies—even when the headwinds blow. It is you, the front-runners and academics, that we need if Europe is to secure freedom, growth, and competitiveness. Less focus on promises—more focus on courage, markets, and concrete implementation.”
Inside the Workshops
Participants continue into workshops, including Circular Innovation & Future-Ready Growth with professors Tim McAloone and Daniela Pigosso from DTU Construct. The focus here is on how companies can grow without using more resources and translate circular innovation into tangible results.Company examples demonstrate the impact: Grundfos has made pumps 40% more energy-efficient, and Philips generates 30–50% of its revenue through services, leasing, and upgrades—enabling reuse and stable income streams.
Groups work sector by sector, discussing both challenges and opportunities. For example, the construction group discusses reuse of concrete, new business models, and how to measure impact—who takes the risk, and how can we ensure that reuse actually reduces CO2?
In the workshop on energy and battery systems with Professor Tejs Vegge from DTU Energy, the focus was on electrification, energy storage, and new value chains – with particular emphasis on how industry can move towards net zero, where overall greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to zero. Batteries are seen as critical infrastructure, with discussions on circular systems, common standards, and energy recycling.
In the third workshop on Nature-positive food systems, both curiosity and skepticism emerge—especially regarding consumers’ willingness to change habits. The technologies exist, but the market, value chains, and EU regulatory frameworks are not yet fully ready. Scaling is challenged by high risk aversion, supply security, and production capacity.
Participants highlight the need for closer feedback between policymakers, researchers, and industry; better data and testing infrastructure; new business models; and support for identifying the first customers and pooling investments into promising technologies and solutions.
The discussions clearly show that scalable technology requires close collaboration between policymakers, research institutions, and industry. In addition, standardization, new business models, and bold investments are essential.
In the workshop on energy and battery systems with Professor Tejs Vegge from DTU Energy, the focus was on electrification, energy storage, and new value chains – with particular emphasis on how industry can move towards net zero, where overall greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to zero. Batteries are seen as critical infrastructure, with discussions on circular systems, common standards, and energy recycling.
In the third workshop on Nature-positive food systems, both curiosity and skepticism emerge—especially regarding consumers’ willingness to change habits. The technologies exist, but the market, value chains, and EU regulatory frameworks are not yet fully ready. Scaling is challenged by high risk aversion, supply security, and production capacity.
Participants highlight the need for closer feedback between policymakers, researchers, and industry; better data and testing infrastructure; new business models; and support for identifying the first customers and pooling investments into promising technologies and solutions.
The discussions clearly show that scalable technology requires close collaboration between policymakers, research institutions, and industry. In addition, standardization, new business models, and bold investments are essential.
At the end of the day, everyone returns to the plenary session where the day’s work is summarized, and participants commit to taking the ideas forward and making a difference. Camilla Rygaard-Hjalsted closes with a final remark:
“Thank you for coming, for participating actively, and for sharing your knowledge. Thank you for your leadership—that is exactly what makes the difference and gives Europe the opportunity to take a quantum leap in sustainability and innovation. You have the potential to get us where we want to go—and even if it may take 20 years, we must act now. Speed before perfection. Let us continue working together, keep our promises, and ensure that our children and grandchildren grow up with the resources we had, while strengthening European leadership and conducting research that creates real impact.”
“Thank you for coming, for participating actively, and for sharing your knowledge. Thank you for your leadership—that is exactly what makes the difference and gives Europe the opportunity to take a quantum leap in sustainability and innovation. You have the potential to get us where we want to go—and even if it may take 20 years, we must act now. Speed before perfection. Let us continue working together, keep our promises, and ensure that our children and grandchildren grow up with the resources we had, while strengthening European leadership and conducting research that creates real impact.”
Contact
Camilla Rygaard-Hjalsted Dean of Sustainability, Diversity, Inclusion and Talent Development Rektoratet Mobile: +45 93510470 caryg@dtu.dk