A strategic partnership for industry leaders
The Center for the Future of Materials Cycles at Arizona State University advances the frontiers of academic research and helps create competitive advantage through resilient, scalable and intelligent material systems and cycles. We are a practitioner-oriented research center and co creation platform.
Member companies guide the research agenda, gain early access to insights and advanced decision-support capabilities, and are empowered to apply these findings to their own strategic challenges. The center’s approach is guided by economic performance and competitiveness, with an emphasis on global scalability and resilience.
Looking ahead
The organizations that will lead the next era of the chemicals and materials industry are already realizing the advantages of material cycles — greater resilience, stronger supply security, lower costs and new opportunities for growth. The future will be shaped by those who understand how materials create value and how to keep that value in motion.
Five integrated capabilities
Our work supports and advances areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, optimization, data science, spatial analysis, life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis and economy wide modeling.
The center’s research agenda is built around five interconnected capabilities, each designed to produce actionable steps for members.
- Scalable transition modelingChemicals and materials industry models combine facility-to-global manufacturing data with intelligence on emerging technologies to generate transition roadmaps that optimize growth, supply security and resilience. Members can access models calibrated to their supply chains and priorities to support capital allocation and strategic planning.
- Guided discovery and innovation
Our reaction and industry networks for circularity framework identifies manufacturing chemistries, production pathways and products with the greatest potential for profitability, supply independence and resilience across millions of options. Structured pathway analysis reduces research and development risk, accelerates innovation and uncovers commercially viable opportunities in an efficient manner. - Integrated value and feasibility assessment
The center designs next-generation growth strategies, including materials-as-a-service models, modular manufacturing systems and product life-cycle redesign. These approaches improve profitability, resource efficiency and supply security while reducing exposure to volatile commodity markets and supply chains. - Resilient supply chain and business model designThe center designs next-generation growth strategies, including materials-as-a-service models, modular manufacturing systems and product life-cycle redesign. These approaches improve profitability, resource efficiency and supply security while reducing exposure to volatile commodity markets and supply chains.
- Economics, market intelligence and competitive strategy
We develop economic instruments, investment models and market intelligence frameworks that help members anticipate shifts in input markets, competition and industry structure. Designed for changing policy environments, these tools provide durable strategic guidance for long-term investment and growth.
Why ASU?
ASU is consistently ranked among the most innovative universities in the United States, with deep strengths in systems engineering, materials science, sustainable engineering and applied economics. The Center for the Future of Material Cycles was built on that foundation and alongside world-leading researchers whose models already inform corporate strategy and public investment decisions at scale. The center is part of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at ASU.
Why us?
Membership is designed for senior decision-makers at chemicals and materials companies, manufacturers, retailers and allied supply chain businesses.
Members shape our research agenda and gain preferential access to insights before they are widely available — a genuine intelligence advantage in fast-moving markets
Frontier intelligence, first
Shape the research agenda
Market and competitive insight
Proprietary application to your business
Peer network
Talent pipeline
Co sponsored funding
Executive education and practitioner workshops
Who we are
George Basile
Professor of Practice
Global Futures Scientists and Scholars
- [email protected]
- 480-965-7094
- PO Box 877904 Walton Center for Planetary Health
Join us
We invite you to become a founding member and help shape the center’s direction.
To discuss membership options, ask questions or determine how the center’s capabilities can support your strategic priorities, please contact us using the form below.