Ragn-Sells Student Case 2025

– a challenge for those who want to solve real environmental problems

Not all boundaries are meant to be pushed

Six out of nine planetary boundaries have been exceeded – but some can still be restored. Which boundary is closest to being saved, and how can the circular economy help us get there?

Students from various disciplines are invited to analyse, formulate, and present solutions to this complex challenge. The winners will be awarded 25,000 SEK for their contribution to the development of a more sustainable future.

Scientific evidence is clear: humanity has already exceeded six of the nine planetary boundaries, putting the stability of the Earth’s ecosystems at risk.

However, despite this critical situation, there are still opportunities to reverse some of these trends. Certain planetary boundaries may be closer to being restored than others — but which ones, and how? 

A transition to a circular economy could be a key enabler. By reducing resource consumption, optimising material flows, and reintegrating waste products into production cycles, we can reduce environmental footprints and move back within safe planetary limits. 

This challenge invites participants to identify which planetary boundary is closest to being restored and explore how this can be achieved using circular economy solutions, while ensuring that negative impacts on other planetary boundaries are avoided.

Read more about planetary boundaries on the Stockholm Resilience Centre's website

Participants should: 

1. Identify the planetary boundary most feasible to restore in the near future (e.g., biogeochemical flows, biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, freshwater use). 

2. Develop a strategy for restoration using circular solutions (e.g., regenerative agricultural practices, material recovery, water reuse, ecosystem services). 

3. Analyse systemic effects and trade-offs – how can the proposed solution avoid unintended negative consequences for other planetary boundaries? 

Important Dates and Guidelines

What should participants deliver? 

  • An analysis of which planetary boundary is closest to being restored and why. 
  • A strategic plan utilising circular solutions to contribute to the restoration process. 
  • An assessment of risks associated with other planetary boundaries and how these can be mitigated. 
  • A short presentation and a report summarising the analysis, proposed solution, and implementation strategies. 


Evaluation criteria 

  • Restoration Feasibility: How well is the choice of planetary boundary justified? 
  • Innovative Use of Circular Tools: Is the proposed solution practical and scalable? 
  • Systems Thinking: Have participants considered and minimised potential negative impacts on other planetary boundaries? 
  • Practical Implementation: Is the solution realistic within a reasonable timeframe? 


Conclusion 
This CASE challenge invites participants to develop concrete strategies for restoring a planetary boundary through circular economy solutions. By adopting a systems perspective and leveraging innovative methods, businesses and societies can take active steps toward realigning human activities with the Earth's ecological limits. 

 

Examples of Circular Solutions 

To provide participants with a clearer understanding of the expectations, the following two innovative circular solutions from Ragn-Sells’ subsidiary EasyMining are presented as examples: 

Aqua2N – Recovering Nitrogen from Wastewater 

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient, but excessive nitrogen input into ecosystems leads to eutrophication and deteriorating water quality. Aqua2N is a circular technology that recovers ammonium nitrogen from wastewater and converts it into an efficient fertilizer. 

  • Recovers 95% of nitrogen from sludge liquor, transforming it into ammonium sulfate, which can replace conventional fertilizers. 
  • Reduces nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. 
  • Enhances resource efficiency by returning nitrogen to agriculture instead of losing it to the environment. 

Question for inspiration: How can a similar approach be applied to restore another planetary boundary? 

Read more about Aqua2N 

Ash2Phos – Phosphorus Recovery from Incinerated Sewage Sludge 

Phosphorus is a critical resource for agriculture, yet its extraction is highly dependent on phosphate rock mining, often in geopolitically unstable regions. Ash2Phos is an innovative process that recovers over 90% of the phosphorus contained in incinerated sewage sludge. 

  • Reduces dependence on imported phosphorus, strengthening food security. 
  • Separates heavy metals and contaminants, preventing their accumulation in fertilizers. 
  • Recovers additional resources such as iron and aluminum, creating further value chains. 

Question for inspiration: Can you identify another critical resource or environmental factor that could be addressed using a similar method? 

Read more about Ash2Phos

Important Dates

  • Registration: Sign up for the competition here
  • Final Submission Deadline: May 31
  • Notification of Results: The internal jury at Ragn-Sells will announce the results via email or phone in June.
  • Presentation: October 17 

The final submission must include a scientific report and a registration certificate from LADOK. The registration certificate must confirm the completion of at least 210 ECTS credits, including 6 ECTS credits during the spring semester of 2025. 

Submit all documents via email to:  fredrik.holm@ragnsells.com 

The winner(s) will be invited to present their case at Ragn-Sells' annual seminar, Framtidsdagen (Future Day). 

Eligibility Requirements

  • All participants must be enrolled at a Swedish university. 
  • Participants must have completed at least 210 ECTS credits, including at least 6 ECTS credits during the spring semester of 2025. 
  • To clarify, all participants must be expected to graduate in 2026. 

Formatting Guidelines

  • The scientific report must be written in Swedish, while the presentation on October 10 must be conducted in English. 
  • Font: Times New Roman 
  • Font Size: 12 
  • Line Spacing: 1.5 
  • Reference Style: APA 7