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The Nordic governments and the Nordic Council of Ministers have set high climate targets for the Nordic countries and companies are important players and key actors in reaching the climate goals. Nordic Innovation is an agency for the Nordic governments and works to promote sustainable development through supporting entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness among Nordic companies.
The green transition is coming fast, and all companies need to adapt to the new reality. One way to do it, is to join the circular economy and implement a circular business model. A circular business model can help you both retain and create new values, for you and for your customers, thus giving you a competitive advantage. There are many different models that can work for your company.
Nordic Innovation has made this circular playbook to show you some of them. The aim is to enable manufacturing companies and individuals to start the circular journey and to serve as inspiration on how to do it. You will find different circular business models, technologies and tips and examples. The playbook is made with the best experts, together with Nordic companies and we hope you will find it useful.
I would like to thank Accenture and Sitra for their excellent cooperation regarding this playbook. I would also like to thank the national innovation organisations in the Nordics (Vinnova, The Danish Business Authorities, Innovation Norway, Business Finland, Innovation Centre Iceland and Rannis) for all their input to the playbook and the company workshops we have run.
Oslo, 15 March 2021
Nordic Innovation
Svein Berg, Managing Director
This playbook will help you:
This playbook is tailored to companies in the Nordic manufacturing industry, giving examples for the following five sub-sectors:
This playbook can be leveraged by companies that want to
Improve resource utilization and mitigate risk from regulatory, investor and societal pressures
The playbook calls for action by
SORTCUTS TO PLAYBOOK CONTENT:
Guidance for companies on how to achieve a step-change towards the circular economy and successfully make the transition
→ CHAPTER 1 Why is the circular economy relevant? Rationale for Nordic manufacturing companies to engage in the circular economy
→ CHAPTER 2 What concrete opportunities exist? Current state analysis and circular opportunities for the manufacturing industry
→ CHAPTER 3 Which capabilities are required? Introduction to organisational requirements for circular business models
→ CHAPTER 4 Which technologies can support? Overview of technologies that can enable circularity
→ CHAPTER 5 How to design the transformation journey? Guidance on key steps towards circular advantage and how to overcome typical barriers
→ CHAPTER 6 Industry deep dives: Machinery & equipment, maritime, energy, transportation and construction
→ SHORTCUTS TO PLAYBOOK TOOLS
A set of tools complement the playbook, and help you get started with your circular journey
The playbook consists of 6 chapters and supporting tools for identifying company specific circular opportunities
→ 1. Why the circular economy?
Burning platform for the circular economy
→ 2. What opportunities exist?
Circular opportunities for manufacturing industry
→ 3. Which capabilities are required?
9 circular capabilities
→ 4. Which technologies can support?
19 technologies enabling circular business models
→ 5. How to design the transformation journey?
Circular transformation journey and roadmap
Current state analysis and circular opportunities for
+ Supporting tools, including for example value case tool, business model canvas, capability gap assessment tool, etc. → READ MORE
What is a business model canvas?
The business model canvas is a tool that helps you to crystallize your circular business idea by reflecting on its key building blocks, including your value proposition, infrastructure, customers and financing.
How to use it?
Chapter 1–5 supports you with filling in the canvas. We also recommend using the tool and questions with your team to support discussion and ideation.
“The Nordic prime ministers have a vision of the Nordics being the most integrated and sustainable region by 2030. One of the action areas is the adoption of circular business models by Nordic companies. The playbook provides companies with the tools to do just that. I hope it will be widely used by companies in the Nordics to enhance their competitiveness and value creation by going from a linear value chain to a circular ecosystem. It also builds on the Nordic common strongholds like access to raw materials, a digital and highly educated population, and the ability to adapt. In this lies great potential for being the most competitive and circular companies in the world. After all, if we don’t do it, someone else will.”
Marthe Haugland, Senior Innovation Advisor, Nordic Innovation
“We have an urgency to change our economy to respond to climate change, decreasing biodiversity, the dwindling availability of resources and waste-related problems. A big change in industrial culture, mindset, capabilities and behavior is needed; Shifting the focus from production to the customer and maximizing the value of the existing products with data and new technologies, while decoupling value creation from resource consumption. Not only is the circular approach financially very viable, it is realistically the only way to be able to operate in the future. This Playbook is a manual for change. It gives you tools to build up your sustainable business models and design the transformation journey from industrial value-chains to cross sectoral ecosystems. By taking steps towards circular business you gain competitive advantage, attract investors and create sense of purpose.”
Jyri Arponen, Senior Lead, Business Development, Circular and Data Economy, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
“Achieving a circular economy requires a fundamental shift in how companies operate and generate revenues. This playbook and tools, provide a great starting point for companies to assess, test and innovate together with peers and ecosystem partners to drive lasting change. I’m thrilled to see how our network of companies and the number of innovations keep expanding every year.”
Anna Belvén Töndevold, Nordic Sustainability Strategy Lead, Accenture Strategy
Customer centricity
Better customer values can be delivered through offering outcomes instead of selling product. Profit is generated by delivering solutions that fit specific customer needs, minimizing inefficiencies and improving consumer experience.
Sustainability
Our overuse of natural resources drives increased regulatory pressure, investments are shifting towards responsible businesses and businesses raise supplier requirements.
Technology
Technology enables new innovative efficiencies and drives new communication channels, processes and ways of working, and ultimately enables better use of resources and economic growth.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
1. UNSUSTAINABLE MATERIALES
Material and energy that cannot be continually regenerated – for example, direct and indirect materials are not renewable or bio-based
2. UNDERUTILISED CAPACITIES
Underutilised or unused products and assets – for example, products are not operating full hours or full functionality is not useful
3. PREMATURE PRODUCT LIVES
Products are not used to fullest possible working life – for example due to new models and features or lack of repair and maintenance
4. WASTED END-OF-LIFE VALUE
Valuable components, materials and energy are not recovered at disposal – for example, not recycled or recovered at end of life
5. UNEXPLOITED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENTS
Sales organisation focus on selling functionality of products rather than addressing the customer problem – for example, missing opportunities to engage customers throughout the product life-cycle to offer additional services and add-on sales
– for example, missing opportunities to engage customers throughout the product life-cycle to offer additional services and add-on sales
Putting the customer at the centre enables companies to focus on the value adding activities.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
Brand enhancement and risk reduction are typically achieved in the long-term, therefore companies need to take a longer time horizon into account when making investments in circular business models.
Source: Company websites, Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is an exercise package called Business model development toolkit, where you can make the same analysis for your company → READ MORE
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL | ADAPTION LEVEL | COMMENT | |
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | Very high | Products are designed for long lifecycles – however, use of modular design principles is not very common yet, but being explored | |
Circular suppliers | High | Input materials are mostly recyclable (e.g. steel), while use of sustainable indirect materials, such as renewable energy, varies a lot | ||
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | Low | Sharing platforms are seen as challenging to implement for some products, as many of the products are fixed installations or have a high degree of customization | |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | Medium | Only a few companies have adopted the model, while many are currently exploring it. Some companies are finding it challenging to find an investment model and achieve a win-win situation for both customers and the company | |
Performance as a service | Low | Many companies are currently exploring the model, and some have never heard of it | ||
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repairs & Maintain | Mdium | Most companies provide at least some repair and maintenance services. However, some report that they are not leveraging their full potential | |
Upgrade | High | Many companies are already applying the model, and most others are exploring how to apply it | ||
Resell | Medium | Companies are not seeing reselling as a relevant opportunity for products that have very long lifecycles | ||
Remanufacture | Low | Remanufacturing is not seen as relevant for products with very long lifecycles | ||
RESSOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle / upcycle | Low | Companies find it challenging to ensure recycling of products, e.g. because products might be scattered around the world, the products are not built for circularity and it is difficult to separate materials and even know the product composition | |
Return | Medium | Most companies recycle some of their manufacturing waste |
Source: Analysis based on output from Nordic Circular Industries workshops. → More detailed information on the output in Appendix 1
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is an exercise package called Business model development toolkit, where you can analyze the relevance of each circular business model for your company. → READ MORE
Source: Adapted from earlier Accenture publication. → Appendix 2 for more details
TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY
Sources: 1. IEEE Engineering360 / 2. Bank of America, Merrill Lynch / 3. International Data Corporation (IDC), Accenture, → Appendix 2 for more details
① | ② | ③ | ④ | ⑤ | ||
Why: Define for the circular economvisiony | What: Screen opportunities and size value | Assess capability gaps | Assess technology gaps | How: Design roadmap | Start first pilot | |
Key activities | 1.1 Vision Define aspirational description of achievements in mid- and long-term future | 2.1 Business models Assess potential of circular business models to address inefficiencies | 3.1 Capability gap assessment Understand and analyse internal capabilities | 4.1 Technology assessment Evaluate opportunities of technologies | 5.1 Barriers Identify potential internal and external implementation barriers and activities to mitigate them | |
2.2 Value proposition Develop high level description of the value proposition for new products and services | 5.2 Implementation Define the roadmap to implement target business model | |||||
2.3 Value case Assess potential revenues, costs and investments for selected business models | ||||||
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 |
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is a technology maturity assessment, with which you can assess the maturity of your company in technologies enabling circularity and identify actions to develop it. → READ MORE
KEY ACTIVITIES
1. Why: Define vision for the circular economy → CHAPTER 1
2. What: Screen opportunities and size value → CHAPTER 2
Value case: Assess potential revenues, costs and investments for selected business models
3. Assess capability gaps → CHAPTER 3
4. Assess technology gaps → CHAPTER 4
5. How: Design roadmap → CHAPTER 5
START FIRST PILOT!
CHAPTER SUMMARY: WHY IS THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY RELEVANT?
SHORTCUTS TO CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER
→ Better customer values can be delivered through offering outcomes instead of selling products
→ Our overuse of natural resources drives regulators, investors and companies towards sustainability
THIS CHAPTER WILL HELP YOU TO:
1. UNSUSTAINABLE MATERIALES
Material and energy that cannot be continually regenerated – for example, direct and indirect materials are not renewable or bio-based
2. UNDERUTILISED CAPACITIES
Underutilised or unused products and assets – for example, products are not operating full hours or full functionality is not useful
3. PREMATURE PRODUCT LIVES
Products are not used to fullest possible working life – for example due to new models and features or lack of repair and maintenance
4. WASTED END-OF-LIFE VALUE
Valuable components, materials and energy are not recovered at disposal – for example, not recycled or recovered at end of life
5. UNEXPLOITED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENTS
Sales organisation focus on selling functionality of products rather than addressing the customer problem – for example, missing opportunities to engage customers throughout the product life-cycle to offer additional services and add-on sales
– for example, missing opportunities to engage customers throughout the product life-cycle to offer additional services and add-on sales
Putting the customer at the centre enables companies to focus on the value adding activities.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
Customer centricity
Better customer values can be delivered through offering outcomes instead of selling product. Profit is generated by delivering solutions that fit specific customer needs, minimizing inefficiencies and improving consumer experience.
Sustainability
Our overuse of natural resources drives increased regulatory pressure, investments are shifting towards responsible businesses and businesses raise supplier requirements.
Technology
Technology enables new innovative efficiencies and drives new communication channels, processes and ways of working, and ultimately enables better use of resources and economic growth.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
From selling products ...
Profit is generated by selling as many products as possible, fuelling inefficiencies along the value chain
From Kongsberg selling engines…
… to offering outcomes
Profit is generated by delivering solutions that fit specific customer needs, minimising inefficiencies and increasing consumer experience
… to Kongsberg selling “Power by the hour” to customers for a fixed charge per hour of operation, per ship. Kongsberg offers planned maintenance and monitoring services for the equipment aboard from on-shore with the help of sensors
Source: Company website
Source: 1. Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details / 2. European Commission / 3. CNN / 4. CDP
European Green Deal
Roadmap for making EU the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through actions that
Leverages all policy levers, including regulation and standardization, investment and innovation, national reforms, dialogue with social partners and international cooperation to boost the transition to a more sustainable future.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY ACTION PLAN
Set of initiatives to establish a coherent product policy framework:
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT POLICY FRAMEWORK
Designing sustainable products
Empowering consumers
Circularity in production processes
Source: 1. IEEE Engineering360 / 2. Bank of America, Merrill Lynch / 3. International Data Corporation (IDC), Accenture
→ Appendix 2 for more details
INEFFICIENCY | ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES FROM MANUFACTURING COMPANIES | |
Unsustainable materials: Volvo, Wärtsilä | Volvo uses one third recycled materials in new trucks and designs them for recycling so that 90% can be recycled Wärtsilä applies a modular engine design to enable increased commonality and backward compatibility of parts | |
Underutilised capacities: eRent | eRent offers a platform for digital sharing and tracking of machines, devices and other goods | |
Premature product lives: Bosch, Schneider Electric, Konecranes | Bosch operates remanufacturing chains for high-quality components to ensure a high fraction stays in its loops The Schneider Electric Circuit Breaker Retrofit-program modernises and updates electrical distribution centres Konecranes provides a Lifecycle Care-program that includes consultation services, modernisation & maintenance | |
Wasted end-of-life value: Netlet, A.P. Møller - Mærsk | Netlet collects surplus material from construction sites and sell it discounted through platform and stores. In that way Netlet works as an enabler for construction companies, contributing to reducing waste from the construction industry Maersk introduced a Cradle-to-Cradle Passport for vessels, a database listing the material composition of the main parts of the ship, enabling better recycling of materials and parts | |
Unexploited customer engagements: Metso Outotec | Metso offers a cost per ton payment plan where the customers receive one invoice based on actual production tonnage |
Source: Company websites
Disruptors may start with one service…
Disruptor gets access to customer data
2000-2010: Google evolved from providing search engine to browser to smart phone operating system
… developing into a key digital platform for users …
Disruptor extends access to digital and physical (e.g. location) data, becoming the interface for digital services for a certain product whose producer did see the opportunity and answered the need for digital innovations quick enough
2010 - ? : Google offers all sorts of applications incl. navigation and engages in development of self-driving car technology through Waymo collaboration
… with potential to commoditise products in the future
Disruptor getting into position to control all data and thus enabled to define customer experience, making the product in the field a commodity
Vision: Alphabet establishes biggest fleet of autonomous vehicles, wins race to safest technology and generates momentum to urge OEMs to use its platform and establishes monopoly
Source: Company websites
HUSQVARNA allows customers to share battery driven garden appliances through their Battery Box solution
KONGSBERG offers a “Power by the hour” service agreement where the customer pays a fixed charge per hour of operation
WÄRTSILÄ subsidiary Eniram offers full visibility of on-board operations of a vessel with an analytics solution
Source: Company websites
Brand enhancement and risk reduction are typically achieved in the long-term, therefore companies need to take a longer time horizon into account when making investments in circular business models.
Source: Company websites, Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
TWO VALUE LEVERS?
1. Value migration
2. Value addition
KEY QUESTIONS
What are the key trends affecting your company?
To what extent does your business strategy address the trends and their implications? How could the strategy be updated to make it comprehensive?
How are the new trends affecting your customers? In which of your customer industries do you expect to see most demand for sustainable and circular solutions? What opportunities does this increase bring to your company?
BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
Based on the information learnt in this chapter, fill in the following parts of the business model canvas:
CHAPTER SUMMARY: WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST?
SHORTCUTS TO CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER
→ Substantial inefficiencies occur in all parts of the manufacturing value chain
→ Five business models reduce the inefficiencies and create value for companies
→ Business model specific sub-models modify different steps of the value chain to make it circular
→ Companies can explore the sub-models individually or as powerful combinations
→ Ørsted is decarbonizing their offshore wind production
→ Konecranes is offering material handling system as a service
THIS CHAPTER WILL HELP YOU TO:
NORDIC EXPORTS BY INDUSTRY, 2019
The manufacturing industry accounts for 76% of Nordic yearly exports
NORDIC EXPORTS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, 2019
The five sub-sectors in scope account for 60% of Nordic manufacturing exports
Source: Nordic Statistics database, table FOTR46 for Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and Norway
INEFFICIENCY | INEFFICIENCY LEVEL | DESCRIPTION OF QUANTITATIVE RESULTS | COMMENTS ON THE CURRENT STATE | |
① | Direct materials | Medium | For 39% of companies the spend on recyclable/renewable materials is 50% or more of direct material spend, while 26% spend less than 5% on renewables | Most input materials are recyclable and durable (e.g. steel) and the use of recycled material is fairly common |
① | Indirect materials | High | 73% of companies spend less than 50% of their indirect material spend on recyclable/renewable materials, and none of the companies spend more than 80% | Only some companies use sustainable indirect materials in production, such as renewable energy or recycled packaging materials |
② | Availability | Medium | 59% of companies report that their products are idle for less than 20% of the time, while 23% report that the products are idle more than 80% of the time | Even though there is a high available time of products, some products are often not utilised due to seasonal downtime. Also, all companies do not operate on a 24/7 basis |
② | Operational fit | Very low | 46% of companies fully customise their products to meet customer needs and requirements, while 38% meet customer expectations with a standard solution | The majority of the products are designed to fit customer needs and requirements, e.g. in terms of operational efficiency |
③ | Lifetime | Low | 54% of companies report that their products last for over 20 years, while another 21% report that their product lifecycle is 11-20 years long | Most products are built for long lifecycles with high durability |
③ | Functionality | Low | For 42% of companies the share of revenues coming from products that are designed for a long life is 80%, while 26% of the companies have a share of long-life revenue below 10% | Products are designed to be long-lasting – however, design for enhanced reparability, modularity and upgradeability is limited and therefore reduces the lifespan of a product |
④ | Waste in production | High | 33% of companies recycle over 80% of their production waste. However, 56% of companies say they recycle less than 50% | Many companies report that in general their level of production waste is very low. Still, there are companies with limited efforts in addressing |
④ | Take-back | Very high | For 68% of companies the share of products taken back from customers in dedicated return schemes at end-of-life is less than 5% | Few companies have dedicated take-back schemes as disposing products at their end-of life is often seen as the customer’s responsibility |
④ | Recycling | Medium | 22% of companies recycle over 80% of products at end-of-life. Nevertheless, 56% say that they recycle less than 50% of products | While product recycling rates are high for some companies, the majority of the companies have lower recycling rates |
⑤ | After-sales | High | For 71% of companies the share of revenues from add-on sales is less than 10%, while for industry leaders it can be up to 60% depending on their strategy | The full potential of after-sales services is not exploited |
⑤ | Add-on sales | High | 60% of companies state that their share of revenues from add-on sales is less than 10% | For most companies add-on sales efforts are currently limited |
Source: Analysis based on output from Nordic Circular Industries workshops. → More detailed information on the output in Appendix 1
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is an exercise package called Business model development toolkit, where you can make the same analysis for your company → READ MORE
ESTABLISHED MANUFACTURING COMPANIES
Established manufacturing companies often approach the circular economy through adjusting their traditional business while in parallel exploring new circular business opportunities.
Profitability: increasing resource efficiency of existing production, assets, and infrastructure.
Growth: identify new revenue streams along the product lifecycle or product lifecycle through services, second life sales or recycling.
START UP COMPANIES
Start up companies often start with a circular value proposition from the start.
Profitability: establish resource efficient assets from the beginning, leveraging partnerships to enable focus on core activities.
Growth: scaling to expand offerings to new markets and customers with a high focus on customer engagement and feedback.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
Did you know? On the circular economy site, there is an exercise package called Business model development toolkit, where you can analyze the relevance of each circular business model for your company. → READ MORE
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
Did you know? In Chapter 6, there is an industry-specific circular value chain illustration for machinery & equipment, maritime, energy and transportation industries. → READ MORE
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL | DESCRIPTION |
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | Design products that are durable and easy to repair (e.g. modular) |
Circular supplies | Use recyclable materials in production, e.g. renewable and bio-based materials, chemicals & energy to increase recovery rates | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | Develop solutions that enable increased use of capacity |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | Offer customers to use a product against a subscription fee or usage based charges instead of owning it |
Performance as a service | Offer customers to buy a pre-defined service and quality level and commit to guaranteeing a specific result | |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain | Deliver repair and maintenance services to extend the life of existing products in the market |
Upgrade | Improve product performance by upgrading existing components with newer ones | |
Resell | Resell products that have reached their useful life to second and third hand markets | |
Remanufacture | Take back and perform industry-like restoration or improvement of original functionality of products and remarket them with lower price | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | Collect and recover materials of end-of-life products and reuse them in own production |
Return | Return wasted parts and materials to the source (e.g. waste and by-products from own production) |
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL | ADOPTION LEVEL | COMMENT |
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | Very high | Products are designed for long lifecycles – however, use of modular design principles is not very common yet, but being explored |
Circular supplies | High | Input materials are mostly recyclable (e.g. steel), while use of sustainable indirect materials, such as renewable energy, varies a lot | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | Low | Sharing platforms are seen as challenging to implement for some products, as many of the products are fixed installations or have a high degree of customization |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | Medium | Only a few companies have adopted the model, while many are currently exploring it. Some companies are finding it challenging to find an investment model and achieve a win-win situation for both customers and the company |
Performance as a service | Low | Many companies are currently exploring the model, and some have never heard of it | |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & maintain | Medium | Most companies provide at least some repair and maintenance services. However, some report that they are not leveraging their full potential |
Upgrade | High | Many companies are already applying the model, and most others are exploring how to apply it | |
Resell | Medium | Companies are not seeing reselling as a relevant opportunity for products that have very long lifecycles | |
Remanufacture | Low | Remanufacturing is not seen as relevant for products with very long lifecycles | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | Low | Companies find it challenging to ensure recycling of products, e.g. because products might be scattered around the world, the products are not built for circularity and it is difficult to separate materials and even know the product composition |
Return | Medium | Most companies recycle some of their manufacturing waste |
Source: Analysis based on output from Nordic Circular Industries workshops. → More detailed information on the output in Appendix 1
Did you know? On the circular economy site, there is an exercise package called Business model development toolkit, where you can make the same analysis for your company. → READ MORE
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | Reduce production costs | Wärtsilä achieved 45% reduction in production development expenses, 44% lower cost for ongoing product care and 50% reduction in assembly time using modular engine architecture |
Increase market share | DESSO increased market share by 8% and EBIT from 1% to 9.2% in four years by producing carpets that are easy to disassemble by eliminating toxics and number of materials in carpets | ||
Circular Supplies | Reduce utility costs | Ecovative reduced energy costs by 75% compared to industry averages by developing home compostable bio-plastics based on mycelium | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | Reduce warehousing costs | FLEXE helps companies lower warehousing costs by 20-70% by providing a sharing service that helps optimise usage |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a Service | Increase revenues | Michelin sells tires-as-a-service with a revenue potential of 3bn€ in 10 years |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain | Reduce operating expenses | Nokia reduced OPEX by 20% by maximising value of aging equipment through modernisation of logistics, warehousing and dismantling |
Resell | Participate in secondary sales | ~50% revenue increase from selling 2nd hand products | |
Remanufacture | Increase gross profits | Caterpillar achieved 50% higher gross profits from selling remanufactured products at a 20% discount rate | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | Generate revenue | GM’s by-product recycling and reuse initiatives have not only saved money, but also generated $1 billion in new revenue for the automaker |
Return | Reduce input material costs | Ford is cutting about 20% from the cost of swapping aluminium for steel in F-150 body panels by sorting, cleaning and returning scrap to the same mills that supply it with metal sheet |
Source: Company websites
Did you know? On the circular economy site, there is a Value case tool, with which you can calculate a high-level business case for the circular economy business models for your company. → READ MORE
About
Background
How they are working with circular inputs
Source: Company website
CASE STUDY: CIRCULAR INPUTS
Value realized
About
Drivers
How Konecranes is working with product as a service
Source: Interview
CASE STUDY: PRODUCT AS A SERVICE
Value realized
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | High potential |
Circular supplies | High potential | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | High potential |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | High potential |
Performance as a service | High potential | |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain | Potential |
Upgrade | Potential | |
Resell | Potential | |
Remanufacture | Potential | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | Potential |
Return | Potential |
Circular inputs, product as a service and sharing platform are evaluated as the business models with the highest future potential.
Source: Analysis based on output from Nordic Circular Industries workshops.
→ More detailed information on the output in Appendix 1
→ 1. Business model development toolkit
Set of exercises for identifying inefficiencies and customer pain points, assessing relevance of circular business models, and prioritising them
Estimated working time: 30-60 min
→ 2. Value case assessment tool
Tool for calculating high-level business case for circular business models
Estimated working time: 60 min
KEY QUESTIONS
BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
Based on the information learnt in this chapter, fill in the following parts of the business model canvas:
CHAPTER SUMMARY: WHICH CAPABILITIES ARE REQUIRED?
SHORTCUTS TO CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER
→ Nine capabilities enable companies to transform their value chain to increased circularity
→ Customer-centric design enables additional sales throughout the product lifecycle
→ Appropriate resource handling ensures that materials and products are kept in a closed cycle
→ Technology, partners and leadership play a key role in the circular transformation
→ Which capabilities are required? Business model canvas
THIS CHAPTER WILL HELP YOU TO:
Source: Adapted from earlier Accenture publication. → Appendix 2 for more details
Source: Accenture → Appendix 2 for more details
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is a capability maturity assessment, with which you can assess the capability gaps of your company and identify actions to bridge them. → READ MORE
① | ② | ⑤ | |
DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO DELIVER CUSTOMER OUTCOMES | DESIGN PRODUCTS FOR CIRCULARITY | SELL OUTCOMES AND LIFECYCLE SERVICES | |
Design/R&D | Design/R&D | Sales | Aftersales | |
Required know-how | Ability to put customer needs and requirements at the centre of product design | Ability to design products for long lifecycles and sustainable material use | Ability to leverage customer insights to sell value-adding solutions |
Recommended approach | Engage customers and partners in solution co-creation | Follow circular design principles in product design | Centre sales around customer outcomes throughout the whole product life |
Improved customer-centricity through more frequent interaction and more customised solutions |
DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO DELIVER CUSTOMER OUTCOMES
Design Thinking is a methodology for customer-centric design. It is an iterative process using a broad set of design methods (e.g. accessible through this link). The aim is to frame opportunities and innovate in close collaboration with customers and other relevant stakeholders. Through the customer interaction, Design Thinking is especially relevant when designing customer experiences and user interfaces for new solutions
Core to the methodology is to quickly move from prototypes to “minimum viable products” and reduce the lead time for development (see example approach on next page)
Example metrics
Business model relevance
☑ Circular inputs
☑ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☑ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
1. Digital Product Lifecycle Management / 2. Application Lifecycle Management
DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO DELIVER CUSTOMER OUTCOMES
DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO DELIVER CUSTOMER OUTCOMES
CHANGES FROM TRADITIONAL TO SERVICE INNOVATION | ||
Product innovation | Service innovation | |
What | Understand customer usage and expected product attributes | Design and live customer experience or journey |
How | Leverage traditional and robust processes | Perform iterative design and prototyping (to test, fail, learn and rebound quickly) |
Who | Leverage companies’ distinctive forces and expertise around product/service | Manage an open ecosystem and perform open innovation – acquiring/partnering with new talents |
Core skills | Draw on traditional product/service know-how | Apply design thinking and big data or analytics |
Duration | Perform innovation cycle in years | Perform innovation cycle in weeks or months |
DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO DELIVER CUSTOMER OUTCOMES
Co-creation and prototyping space
Establish a space in which companies, students and future customers can jointly develop, test and prototype new ideas
Example: Firstbuild, a GE Appliances backed co-creation space, offers access to the latest technology to design, prototype, or put the finishing touches to inventions. It also has a virtual community on a platform proposing challenges and ideating solutions
Digital acceleration centres
Create distinct development programmes around how digital solutions can enhance customer value
Example: Wärtsilä established four digital acceleration centres that act as incubators for new digital ideas. The work is based on agile methodologies and involves close interaction with customers and stakeholders. In a six week “sprint” 106 different concepts were developed for the digital vessel project that then were evaluated in more detail
Digitally enabled solution
Reflect on areas a product has impact on and the data required to add value to the customer. Ideate what means might exist to access and use this data
Example: ZF Friedrichshafen developed a fuel-economic transmission system that knows in advance when to shift gears by analysing the topography on the basis of GPS data feed
Enabling technologies
Internet of Things
Big data
Source: Company websites
DESIGN PRODUCTS FOR CIRCULARITY
Required know-how and activities
1. Lifecycle thinking
Consider the whole lifecycle in the design process from production to use phase to end-of-life as more than 80% of the environmental impact of a product is determined at the design stage (See guidance on the right)
2. Circular design criteria
Develop and apply circular design criteria such as:
See below for more information and examples
Guidance on life cycle thinking
Minimizing environmental impacts along the whole lifecycle and comparing alternatives against each other are key for sustainable product design. Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is a method that allows assessing products and services, and the process itself is described trough ISO 14040 and 14044
After defining the scope and boundaries of the analysis, the inventory and impact of products can be modelled. For this, data from environmental databases is available (e.g. resource depletion, CO2 emissions). Several tools from different providers exist on the market e.g. SimaPro, Umberto and GaBi
Example metrics
Business model relevance
☑ Circular inputs
☐ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☐ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
DESIGN PRODUCTS FOR CIRCULARITY
Aspect | How to incorporate it in a product | Example |
1. Design out waste | Use less resources for producing the product | Volvo Trucks produces 3D printed tools and fixtures to reduce use |
2. Design for upgrading and modularity | Allow exchange of components for updates or upgrades (e.g. standardise connections) | PuzzlePhone is built from three modular components available in different sizes and materials |
3. Design for reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing | Allow for disassembly through using e.g. reversible connections | Caterpillar designs parts for manufacturing e.g. an engine block with a removable sleeve in the cylinder bore |
4. Design based on sustainable resources | Use renewable or recycled materials | Renault uses recycled material for 36% of the total mass of a new vehicle |
5. Design for minimal resource use along lifecycle | Make sure product is efficient in use phase (e.g. no resource intensive supplies) | Outotec dry tailings water treatment plant minimises fresh water intake during its operation |
6. Design enabling high-quality recycling of materials | Limit number of different materials, use recyclable ones and make them separable | Philips constructs light bulbs in a sandwich construction that assures separation upon crushing |
7. Design for cleaner material cycles | Substitute hazardous substances in products | Akzo Nobel created a new coating made from plant-based oils and recycled PET bottles instead of solvents |
Source: Company websites
DESIGN PRODUCTS FOR CIRCULARITY
Modular design
Design your products in a modular way to improve reparability, upgrades and other benefits
Example: Wärtsilä developed a modular design for the medium speed engine product family as it allows standardisation and component commonality and flexibility for variances at the same time. The design enables updating technologies, improves serviceability and reduces the lead-time for product development
Design guide
Summarise all design criteria in line with company specific prioritisation in design guide with tool kit for product developers
Example: Philips offers design guide for product development with CE Spider Web in which solutions are rated for Disassembly, Maintenance, Modularity, Futureproof, Recycling and Energy use (Link to tool description)
Product passport
Document the materials used in a product and give guidance how to extract valuable parts to enable recycling at the end of a product’s life
Example: Maersk introduced a Cradle-to-Cradle Passport for vessels, a database listing the material composition of the main parts of the ship enabling better recycling of materials and parts. It requires input from all components’ suppliers and documents approximately 95% (by weight) of the materials used to build the ships
Source: Company websites
SELL OUTCOMES AND LIFECYCLE SERVICES
Required know-how and activities
Guidance on product use extension support
To support extension of product life, several after-sales services can be provided:
Example metrics
Source: Company websites
Business model relevance
☐ Circular inputs
☑ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☐ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
SELL OUTCOMES AND LIFECYCLE SERVICES
Offering | Ownership | Offering design | Incentives for circularity |
Product-as-a-service models | Lies with producing company during useful life | Operating lease: Overarching concept, in which the lessor retains ownership of the asset, while the lessee pays for its use over a certain time | Longevity |
Full service lease: Combines operating lease contract with additional services such as maintenance for the asset | Longevity, reparability and easy maintenance | ||
Performance-based payment: Combines operating lease with periodical fees dependent on use or delivered performance of the asset | Longevity, reparability, optimised use-phase consumption | ||
Rent: Differs from leasing in that it generally is for a shorter period. Maintenance and insurance are often included in the contract | Longevity, reparability and easy maintenance | ||
Other productservice systems (not considered as PaaS1) | Transferred to customer some time during lifecycle | Finance lease: All the risks and rewards connected to ownership of an asset is transferred to the lessee during time of lease (e.g. cost for maintenance, repair, resource use during use phase). At the end of the leasing contract, the ownership of the asset is passed over to lessee | No circularity incentives |
1. Product as a Service
SELL OUTCOMES AND LIFECYCLE SERVICES
New pricing models
Develop new pricing models that allow offering solutions based on the value and outcome they deliver to the customers
Example: Philips extends its offering and provides light as a service complementary to its offering of light bulbs. The pricing schemes used are either paying per lux or paying a fixed charge per month. The service delivers the value to the customer in a whole new way. To provide it as efficient as possible, equipment is tracked with sensors
Enabling technology: Internet of Things
Customer-centric sales process
Use for example virtual reality in marketing and offer an app in which customers can configure products, have it displayed in their environment and seamlessly place an order
Example: BMW developed a virtual reality marketing app in which customers can compile the car they would like to buy, see interior in a 360° view and have it shown in e.g. their own car park
Enabling technology: Virtual Reality
Product use extension support
Offer a range of after-sales services to prolong the lifetime of the product
Example: Vestas offers a range of repair and upgrade services to their wind turbines. As wind technology matures, turbines already in operation can be upgraded to yield more energy and thereby improve an existing wind park business case
Enabling technology: Digital infrastructure
Source: Company websites
③ | ④ | ⑥ | |
SOURCE RECYCLED OR RECYCLABLE MATERIAL | PRODUCE, REMANUFACTURE AND RECYCLE PRODUCTS | TAKE BACK PRODUCTS AT END-OF-LIFE | |
Design/R&D | S&P | (Re)manu-facturing | Recycling | Take-back | |
Required know-how | Ability to specify and source materials that can easily be regenerated and recycled | Ability to handle waste in production, incl. material flows and remanufacturing | Ability to establish return systems that ease and facilitate disposal of end-of-life products |
Recommended approach | Access circular materials from new sources | Integrate technologies to monitor and track material and product flows | Adapt programmes and approach based on secondary values of products |
Improved management of resources to maximise returns on embedded values across product lifecycle |
SOURCE RECYCLED OR RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Required know-how and activities
- Establish a bidirectional dialogue on required materials and available by-products
- Share knowledge on the circular economy and other environmental practices
How to source circular materials?
Example metrics
Business model relevance
☑ Circular inputs
☐ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☐ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
1 Please see capability 6 “Take back products at end-of-life” if done internally
2 Please see capability 4 “Produce, remanufacture and recycle products” if done internally
SOURCE RECYCLED OR RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Circular resource marketplace platform
Participate on a platform that facilitates matching of required and available materials for recycling or reuse of different companies or engage in its development
Example: Netlet picks up surplus material from construction sites free of charge. This eases the construction firm’s ability to keep up with increasingly strict regulations regarding recycling and waste disposal. Netlet makes this surplus material available through both physical stores and through their online platform. Both companies and consumers can use the service, and all material is sold at a discounted price and is contributing to reducing waste in the construction industry
Enabling technology: Digital infrastructure
Industrial symbiosis (IS)
Develop symbiotic partnerships with cross-industry actors designing “waste as input” streams
Example: Kalundborg Symbiosis (Denmark) – Collaboration with 8 private and public partners started in 1970s. Has about 50 symbiotic exchanges such as steam, water, or specific flows. An example for a specific flow is Novo Gro30, biomass from pharmaceutical production that is then used as fertiliser, for wastewater treatment and biogas production
Source: Company websites
SOURCE RECYCLED OR RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
The circular economy in supplier code of conduct
Promote the circular economy in your supplier relationships through stating its importance in the code of conduct
Example: HP (Hewlett-Packard) includes the circular economy aspects into its Supplier Code of Conduct with the following statement: “Suppliers shall implement a systematic approach to identify, manage, reduce, and responsibly dispose of or recycle solid waste (non-hazardous) and waste water.”
Source: Company websites
PRODUCE, REMANUFACTURE AND RECYCLE PRODUCTS
Required know-how and activities
Guidance on remanufacturing process set-up
Depending on the return scheme, Step 1 and 2 could take place offsite during the take-back phase by e.g. service provider or dealer
Example metrics
Business model relevance
☐ Circular inputs
☐ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☑ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
PRODUCE, REMANUFACTURE AND RECYCLE PRODUCTS
Robotics
Robotics in the production process reduces waste of material, while increasing efficiency
Example: EEN TIL EEN use a building software to transform a 3D design into production data. Robots cuts sustainable source plywood based on the digital blueprint
Enabling technology: Robotics
Production waste separation
Integrate waste management in production process and keep waste material flows separate to enable high quality recycling
Example: Ford engages with suppliers to recycle aluminium scraps from car production (e.g. stamping windows into body panels). To achieve the required level of purity, Ford invested in machinery to separate, clean and shred aluminium
Remanufacturing capabilities
Develop remanufacturing capabilities to sort and repair returned equipment to extend their lifecycles
Example: Various models of Scania trucks are dismantled and remanufactured at Scania Vehicle Recycling. Parts such as engines, gear boxes and differentials are inspected and adjusted internally. They are sold through local Scania workshops and distributed via the daily spare parts routine of Scania Parts Logistics
Source: Company websites
TAKE BACK PRODUCTS AT END-OF-LIFE
Required know-how and activities
Guidance setting up a take-back programme
Take-back programmes are suitable for
To assess suitability…
Example metrics
Business model relevance
☐ Circular inputs
☑ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☑ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
TAKE BACK PRODUCTS AT END-OF-LIFE
Incentivise product return
Provide incentives for customers to return products or components through e.g. refunds and discounts
Example: Caterpillar uses a proprietary core management system to globally manage core returns from dealers and Caterpillar inspection facilities and determine the core credit amounts that will be refunded
Reverse logistic channels
Develop own reverse logistic channels or partner with established companies to collect components and complete products
Example: CoremanNet, a subsidiary of Bosch, offers qualified core return solutions for the automotive spare parts market. The modular packages can be adapted to individual company requirements
Waste material management
Control waste material flows to secure high-quality material for recycling
Example: AF has developed new technology to harvest, clean and recycle contaminated construction materials, extracting 80% of the mass as reusable materials and 20% as contaminated mass for further treatment
Source: Company websites
About
Background
How they are working with unconventional use of resources
CASE STUDY: DESIGN & R&D + SOURCING & PROCUREMENT
Value realized
Source: Company website
⑦ | ⑧ | ⑨ | |
DEPLOY TECHNOLOGIES AND DATA FOR DELIVERING OUTCOMES | ORCHESTRATE ECOSYSTEM OF PARTNERS | TRANSFORM CULTURE AND STEERING | |
Strategy & Leadership | Strategy & Leadership | Strategy & Leadership | |
Required know-how | Ability to collect, manage and derive valuable insights from technologies and real-time data | Ability to manage increasing number of ecosystem partners to jointly close the loop | Ability to develop and motivate circular competences and outcomes |
Recommended approach | Leverage tools to generate and visualise data | Harness existing network of partnerships and use digital platforms for interactions | Integrate the circular economy objectives and organise around products/services to drive cross-functional collaboration |
Successful transformation through full utilization of internal and external strengths and resources |
1. Intellectual Property Rights
DEPLOY TECHNOLOGIES AND DATA FOR DELIVERING OUTCOMES
Required know-how and activities
Guidance on data monetization
Manufacturing companies can monetise data by:
a) Reducing cost (focus on data from own operations)
b) Increasing revenue (focus on data from smart products)
Example metrics
Business model relevance
☑ Circular inputs
☑ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☑ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
DEPLOY TECHNOLOGIES AND DATA FOR DELIVERING OUTCOMES
Tech-enabled outcome orientation
Deploy sensors and develop smart products to generate data-enabled new business models
Example: Michelin introduced the first “Tire Monitoring Management System” for mining tires enabled through sensors in the tires recording and transmitting pressure and temperature
Enabling technology: Internet of Things
Data monetisation
Use data insights to reduce costs or generate revenue e.g. through predictive maintenance internally or provided as a service to customers
Example: Siemens models status of gas turbines with about 500 sensors in a turbine, and uses data to simulate operation while AI is simulating wear and tear of components to prompt maintenance measures to prevent downtime. Insights can be shared via cloud
Enabling technology: Internet of Things and Artificial intelligence
Data visualisation tools
Use data analytics and visualisation tools to extract insights from the pool of available data
Example: Available plug-and-play tools are for example Tableau, Microsoft Power BI or IBM Cognos
Enabling technology: Big data
Source: Company websites
ORCHESTRATE ECOSYSTEM OF PARTNERS
Required know-how and activities
Guidance on managing IPR in open innovation
Helpful tools and resources are available at the European IPR helpdesk online
Example metrics
Business model relevance
☑ Circular inputs
☑ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☑ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
ORCHESTRATE ECOSYSTEM OF PARTNERS
Knowledge sharing networks
Join existing knowledge sharing platforms to leverage existing experiences and share own ones
Example: Factor 10 from WBCSD and CE100 from Ellen MacArthur foundation are initiatives that aim to accelerate the transition to the circular economy by bringing together companies from different sectors. Both organisations also publish CE content on their website, which is also available for non-member organisations
Cross-sector partnerships
Connect with stakeholders that have a similar mission and vision. To develop data-based solutions, cross-sector collaborations are required
Example: DIMECC Ltd launched the “Intelligent Industry Ecosystem” in December 2017, where Finnish companies create new data-based products and services. The ecosystem currently involves 10 companies, including e.g. Cargotec, Fastems, Konecranes, Nokia and Ponsse
Digital platforms
Build a platform to connect relevant stakeholders, collect ideas and find solutions
Example: Dell established the collaboration platform IdeaStorm for ideation and real-time product portfolio management
Source: Company websites
ORCHESTRATE ECOSYSTEM OF PARTNERS
Required know-how and activities
Guidance on steering mechanisms
Performance indicators and connected incentives need to be forward-looking and consider development over time, for example:
Example metrics
Business model relevance
☑ Circular inputs
☑ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☑ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
TRANSFORM MINDSET AND STEERING
Target setting
Integrate the circular economy objectives into company target(s) to demonstrate their importance and your company’s commitment
Example: Siemens has a corporate zero-waste to landfill target. Unilever sets multiple targets for different waste categories
Cross-functional collaboration
Facilitate exchange of information and joint solution development between different functional units of the business e.g. product development and sourcing
Example: Danone embraced the circular economy in its organisational structure by developing cross-divisional, cross-functional internal units for its core materials used in production (i.e. milk, water and plastics)
Culture change
Acknowledge that a transformation is required and actively support the organisation to unfreeze its current status, trigger mindset shift and ensure employees internalise it for good
Example: Philips CEO Frans van Houte is guiding his company to redesigning its products and considering how to capture their residual value. At the same time it is shifting from a transaction- to a relationship-based business model – that entails closer cooperation with customers and suppliers
Source: Company websites
About
Background
How they are working with strategy & leadership
CASE STUDY: STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP
Value realized
Source: Company website
About
Background
How they are working with strategy & leadership
Ruter is promoting their mobility services through several areas. Two of these are the mobility ecosystem and data driven operations:
CASE STUDY: STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP
Value realized
Source: Interview
Tool for assessing your company’s maturity in the circular capabilities and identifying which capabilities to develop internally and which ones to outsource for external partners
Estimated working time: 15 min
→ READ MORE
KEY QUESTIONS
BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
Based on the information learnt in this chapter, fill in the following parts of the business model canvas:
CHAPTER SUMMARY: WHICH TECHNOLOGIES CAN SUPPORT?
SHORTCUTS TO CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER
→ Changes through Industry X.0 deliver tangible outcomes for companies
→ Accumulation of data is increasing and is opening new opportunities for companies to derive value
→ IoT, machine learning and machine vision provide different value drivers for the circular economy
→ New materials, nanotechnology and energy harvesting are further physical technologies
→ Carbon capture and energy storage are also physical technologies supporting circular value
→ Bioenergy and bio-based materials support substitution of petrol-based materials
→ To assess the viability of implementing any technology, four aspects need to be considered
→ The new technologies come with risks that need to be balanced with their benefits
THIS CHAPTER WILL HELP YOU TO
The Internet of things
“Information is at the heart of ensuring that businesses around the world can make the right decisions to eradicate waste and use resources effectively. The internet of things, with its smart sensors and connected technologies, can play a key role in providing valuable data about things like energy use, under-utilised assets, and material flows to help make businesses more efficient.”
Kate Brand, Lead for Sustainability, Google Inc.[1]Accenture analysis
Entries to The Circulars, the world’s premier circular economy award, are all tech-enabled
100% of entries to “The circular” awards 2018 identified either a digital, physical or biological technology as part of their circular economy strategy – 51% were digital (e.g. Big Data and Machine Learning)[1]
A system must be responsive
“Truly circular economies arguably cannot exist without the Internet of Things. No amount of clever design ensures a complex system will remain useful and efficient over time. To be sustainable, a system must be responsive; actions and behaviours must be connected via data and knowledge.“
Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO[1]
Price development makes technology accessible for SME
“Predictive maintenance in performance contracts is not a novel development at the enterprise level. However, recent technological development increasingly enables performance models to trickle down to small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers where previously the tracking and logistics were prohibitively costly” as a report of the World economic forum points out.[1]
Natural resource demand is growing dramatically
“With the advent of the 4th industrial revolution, we have a suit of innovations and technologies that can enable resource decoupling, yet we still live in a world where natural resource demand is growing dramatically.”
Dominic Waughra, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum[1]
Source: Adapted from earlier Accenture publications. → Appendix 2 for more details
Data captured via IoT sources Sensors or embedded chips on products and assets (e.g. machinery, buildings, vehicles) that record IoT sources | Data captured via transactional information management systems Transactional information technology systems (e.g. customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning) that can record maintenance incidents or logistics activity |
▼ | |
Examples of use cases for the combined and aggregated data A manufacturer instruments the equipment and employ the sensors to gather performance data. The manufacturer uses the data to offer services to their customers, e.g. remote diagnostics The manufacturer employ the sensors to gather information on how their customers typically operate the equipment (e.g. speed, running intervals). The manufacturer uses the operational data to advise the customer on the most optimal way of operating the equipmentA manufacturer uses data collected in a disassembly processes at the end of life of a product in the design process of the new product to optimize the disassembly process The data from IoT and information technology system sources are aggregated and analysed to generate new opportunities both within one individual company or between a company and its customers and suppliers. |
COLOUR CODES USED IN THE FOLLOWING TABLES AND FIGURES | |
DIGITAL | Technologies based on computer sciences, electronics and communication which make use of increasing information intensity and connectedness of physical resources. |
PHYSICAL | Technologies based on basic property of materials, energy, forces of nature and their interaction. |
BIOLOGICAL | Technologies based on biology, aspects including but not limited to biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make products and processes for specific use. |
Sources: 1. IEEE Engineering360 / 2. Bank of America, Merrill Lynch / 3. International Data Corporation (IDC), Accenture. Appendix 2 for more details
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is a technology maturity assessment, with which you can assess the maturity of your company in technologies enabling circularity and identify actions to develop it. → READ MORE
Technology | Description and circular examples | Illustrative CE value driver | Business model relevance | |
SCALE-UP / AGING: Mobile devices | Combines hardware, operating systems, networks and software to provide users with real-time access to content. Example: NCC leveraged mobile devices for its “Loop Rocks” platform, which enables smart handling of construction waste. Construction site managers could upload details of excess materials via an app | Enables direct communication with customers | ☐ Circular inputs ☑ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☑ Product as a service | |
MATURING:
Augmented reality / virtual reality | Provides interactive fully immersive digital reality in a computer generated or video enabled environment (VR) or superimpose real world with text, sounds, graphics on top of the physical world via wearables (AR) Example: ThyssenKrupp enables the field service engineers repairing elevators with HoloLens displaying virtual models of the elevator, information on prior services and repair guidance | Avoids or significantly reduces costly maintenance work | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
MATURING: Big Data | Computationally analyses extremely large data sets to reveal patterns, trends, and dependencies Example: Alstom uses big data to operate predictive maintenance tools that are able to monitor the health of trains and infrastructure | Enables descriptive and predictive analytics | ☑ Circular inputs ☑ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☑ Product as a service |
Technology | Description and circular examples | Illustrative CE value driver | Business model relevance | |
MATURING: Internet of Things/industrial internet | Deploys wireless devices with embedded sensors that interact and trigger actions Example: SKF INSIGHT technology applied in railway and wind industry enables rotating machinery to communicate data on operating conditions to Cloud from which customers can extract information through the remote diagnostic service and receive reports and warnings | Enables exchange of data generated in sensor network and triggering of action | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
MATURING: Machine learning | Enables machines to perform new tasks after being trained using historic data sets Example: Siemens deploys machine learning in gas turbine control systems to optimize the turbine´s emissions. The system was able to further reduce emissions by an additional 10-15% after experts´ optimization | Enables predictive analytics through algorithms and optimization | ☑ Circular inputs ☑ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☑ Product as a service | |
MATURING: Machine vision | Provides a computing device with the ability to acquire, process, analyze and understand digital images, and extract data from the real world Example: A stamping technology manufacturer uses machine vision in quality control to prevent shipment of defective stampings | Processes pictures for quality control or automated waste sorting | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service |
Technology | Description and circular examples | Illustrative CE value driver | Business model relevance | |
MATURING: Blockchain | Uses transaction digital ledgers that are shared by all parties participating in an established, distributed network of computers to enhance transparency and secure information sharing as the data is auditable, unchangeable and open Example: Provenance allows users to create and store digital record of assets for anything of value to track it throughout supply chains | Enables transparency and traceability in supply chain | ☐ Circular inputs ☑ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☑ Product as a service | |
IMPROVING: Conversational system | Uses human voice and gesture recognition to trigger actions Example: Boeing uses voice control in manufacturing process to enable employees to receive data displayed on their virtual reality glasses without having to take hands off their work | Facilitates assembly and remanufacturing process | ☐ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
IMPROVING: Artificial intelligence | Applies a set of technologies like machine analytics, learning and e.g. computer vision that enable machines to simulate human intelligence and act without explicit instructions Example: AMP recycling system utilises a machine learning, and computer vision driven robotic systems to intelligently sort waste | Enables process to become more efficient over time | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service |
Technology | Description and circular examples | Illustrative CE value driver | Business model relevance | |
IMPROVING: Digital twin | Is a virtual model of a process, product or service, pairing virtual and physical worlds. This allows the analysis of data and monitoring of systems to develop new solutions or conduct predictive maintenance Example: GE uses digital twins to simulate asset performance in different usage scenarios under varying conditions to develop maintenance solutions | Enables direct communication with customers | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☒ Product as a service | |
IMROVING: Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication | Connects data, analytics and machines based on sensors and actuators Example: Hello Tractor has a “Smart Tractor” sharing platform that connects tractor owners with farmers. The system links SMS message requests with software that identifies nearby tractors with the required usability and functionality | Avoids or significantly reduces costly maintenance work | ☑ Circular inputs ☑ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☑ Product as a service | |
Infrastructure | To apply and connect different digital technologies a solid infrastructure is required with efficient networks, high-speed internet connection, etc.. Technologies such as Edge or Fog Computing, Cloud, Scalable API should be considered and technological advancements followed to keep infrastructure up-to date |
Technology | Description and circular examples | Illustrative CE value driver | Business model relevance | |
SCALE-UP/AGING: 3D printing | Creates 3D objects by forming successive layers of material under computer control Example: Daimler Trucks North America pilots sales of on-demand 3D-printed plastic parts enabling delivery of parts which are traditionally difficult to provide e.g. due to low or intermittent demand | Promotes repair by reducing inventory sizes and repair costs | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
SCALE-UP/AGING: UV/IR/NIR/NMR spectroscopy | Uses different spectrums of electromagnetic radiation to analyze material based on the molecular composition of the matter Example: Trash-Sorting machine from TOMRA Sorting Recycling uses Near infrared sensors for sorting | Detects particular type of material in mixed waste stream | ☐ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☐ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
MATURING: Robotics | Applies machines that are programmed to automatically carry out a complex series of actions. Especially suitable for repetitive and rule based processes using structured data. If combined with machine learning, robots can train themselves Example: Zenrobotics builds waste sorting robots that can sort and pick objects with various weight and shape and learn new sorting rules | Automates waste sorting | ☐ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service |
Technology | Description and circular examples | Illustrative CE value driver | Business model relevance | |
IMPROVING: New materials | Advances in material sciences have led to development of polymers or substances with modified molecular structure Example: BMW uses carbon fiber-reinforced plastic in its electric vehicle lowering the overall mass of the vehicle by over 100kg | Increases product use efficiency | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☐ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
EMERGING: Nanotechnology | Manipulates matter on an atomic, molecular, or supramolecular scale. Examples are fullerene, carbon nanotubes and quantum dots Example: GloNaTech produces maritime coatings containing carbon nanotubes that facilitate release of microorganisms responsible for biofouling. It reduces flow resistance between the ship’s hull and the water in a environment friendly way | Improves environmental performance of product | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☑ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
EMERGING: Energy harvesting | Captures small amounts of energy that would otherwise be lost, such as heat, light, sound, vibration or movement Example: EnOcean produces energy harvesting wireless switches using kinetic energy for switching application and energy harvesting wireless sensors using solar energy | Enables data gathering at locations where cables and battery changes are not feasible | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☐ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service |
Technology | Description and circular examples | Illustrative CE value driver | Business model relevance | |
IMPROVING: Carbon capture | Captures waste carbon dioxide from large point sources, transports it to a storage site and deposits it where it will not enter the atmosphere Example: Graviky, a spinoff from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recycles carbon dioxide emissions to produce ink | Reduces emissions in the atmosphere | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☐ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
EMERGING: Energy storage | Prolongs the life of batteries, increases their storage capacity, or replaces existing chemical-based raw material with organic substances Example: Iberdrola, has built the largest pumped-hydro storage plant in Europe, where two reservoirs with over 500 meters of altitude difference are used to produce electricity during peak consumption times | Enables increased use of renewable energy | ☑ Circular inputs ☑ Sharing platform ☐ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☑ Product as a service |
Technology | Description and circular examples | Illustrative CE value driver | Business model relevance | |
IMPROVING: Bio energy | Is renewable energy derived from biomass which includes biological material such as plants and animals, wood, waste, (hydrogen) gas, and alcohol fuels Example: BioGTS produces biogas from biodegradable waste, industrial residues and agricultural biomasses | Substitution of petrol-based materials and cascading of biomass | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☐ Product use extension ☑ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service | |
EMERGING: Bio-based materials | Composed out of biopolymers and other natural-fiber created partially or wholly by using pant feedstock Example: Mazda uses bioplastic in the interior of its cars and also launched it that as scratch and weather resistant material used as coating for cars | Substitution of petrol-based materials through renewable | ☑ Circular inputs ☐ Sharing platform ☐ Product use extension ☐ Ressource recovery ☐ Product as a service |
Price comparability
Price for digital technologies is decreasing over the years due to fast pace of technological development
Comparability
Comparing costs of different technologies for prioritisation purposes is misleading as they come with different applications and benefits
Scope dependency
Costs for implementation are highly dependent on the scope
Business case
Whether the price for a technology implementation makes economic sense or not, depends on the achievable revenues or cost savings potential
EXAMPLE
ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS | DIGITAL RISKS | ||
Harmful production | Even tough beneficial in use phase, the production of environmentally friendly technologies can have severe negative environmental impacts (e.g. mining process of rare earth elements)1 | Misuse of data | Data protection is of high public concern. The European General Data Protection Regulation now makes protection of EU residents’ data for collector and processor mandatory. Sanctions of up to €20mn or 4% of global revenue can be imposed5 |
Uncertainty of impact | The (eco)toxicological risk and impact of innovative materials is not clear upon first application and regulations are missing – e.g. nanotechnologies. Existing studies point to potential adverse effects on aquatic and possibly other organisms2 | Data breaches | The average size of data breaches is 24,000 records and cost >$ 3mn based on costs of $141 for each stolen or lost record containing sensitive and confidential information6 |
Recycling challenges | An inkjet 3D printer can waste up to 40% of its ink. In addition, depending on the material used, this waste can not be easily recycled3 | Cyberattacks | Over the last 5 years, average costs of cyber attacks have risen by 62%, mainly because of the time it takes to resolve them. While malware take about 6.4 days, malicious codes can take 55.2 days to resolve7 |
Additional consumption and waste | Around half a trillion connected devices by 2025 will result in additional waste, emissions and resources (including rare-earth elements) inherent in adding sensors, memory, and wireless4 | Intellectual property protection | Open collaboration and connecting with ecosystem partners e.g. through IoT makes handling intellectual property protection more complex – software is e.g. excluded from the scope of patents in EU (different to US)8 |
Source: 1. The Guardian / 2. OECD/Alliance / 3. Autodesk, / 4. Sustainablebrands.com / 5. Openaccessgovernment.org / 6. IMB / 7. IT governance / 8. International bar association
Tool for assessing your company’s maturity in the technologies enabling circular business models and prioritizing those for development
Estimated working time: 20 min
→ READ MORE
KEY QUESTIONS
BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
Based on the information learnt in this chapter, fill in the following parts of the business model canvas:
CHAPTER SUMMARY: HOW TO DESIGN THE TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY?
SHORTCUTS TO CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER
→ Five steps are critical to envision and plan a successful transformation
→ The transition from the traditional to the new business model is gradual and has three phases
→ Companies typically face several barriers during their circular transformation journey
→ How to start the transformation journey? Business model canvas
THIS CHAPTER WILL HELP YOU TO:
Supporting tools:
① | ② | ③ | ④ | ⑤ | ||
Why: Define for the circular economvisiony | What: Screen opportunities and size value | Assess capability gaps | Assess technology gaps | How: Design roadmap | Start first pilot | |
Key activities | 1.1 Vision Define aspirational description of achievements in mid- and long-term future | 2.1 Business models Assess potential of circular business models to address inefficiencies | 3.1 Capability gap assessment Understand and analyse internal capabilities | 4.1 Technology assessment Evaluate opportunities of technologies | 5.1 Barriers Identify potential internal and external implementation barriers and activities to mitigate them | |
2.2 Value proposition Develop high level description of the value proposition for new products and services | 5.2 Implementation Define the roadmap to implement target business model | |||||
2.3 Value case Assess potential revenues, costs and investments for selected business models | ||||||
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 |
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
I. EXPLORE & SHAPE | II. ATTRACT & WIN | III. SCALE FAST & KEEP GROWING | |
Develop concepts for target business models, look for partners, design and test prototype(s) | Develop processes and partnerships and pilot new solution to convey benefits | Adopt multiple circular business models across own operations and value chain | |
Customer value delivery | Apply customer-centric design process and detail concept with needs addressed and potential functions Prototype and test new solution with customers | Implement pilot concepts and enable customers with new solutions Raise awareness and promote new solutions | Apply circular concepts across offerings within product and service portfolio, incorporating multiple business models Use circularity as a differentiator to remain competitive and profitable |
Organisation & collaboration | Assess and strengthen internal capabilities and processes Identify cooperation partners complementing own capabilities | Ensure dedicated resources focusing on opportunities and engage broader organisation Define circular targets to incentivise and drive change in organisation Engage in external dialogues, collaborations and partnerships | Ensure strong buy-in across business and at leadership level Use credibility, scale and leverage to solve global circular barriers |
Resource handling | Analyse and prepare required changes in production | Improve internal knowledge of circular materials and processes Adapt production to manage circular materials and products | Incorporate circular thinking across business units, demonstrating proven impact at multiple levels |
← TIME → |
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is a tool called Roadmap development, which supports you in planning your circular transformation journey. → READ MORE
I. EXPLORE & SHAPE |
Description
Example: Michelin Case
I. ATTRACT & WIN |
Description
Example: Michelin Case
III. SCALE & GROW |
Description
Example: Michelin Case
I. EXPLORE & SHAPE | II. ATTRACT & WIN | III. SCALE FAST & KEEP GROWING |
Develop concepts for target business models, look for partners, design and test prototype(s) | Develop processes and partnerships and pilot new solution to convey benefits | Adopt multiple circular business models across own operations and value chain |
Illustration of company state | ||
Key characteristics Customer-centric approach to find minimal viable product through rapid prototyping Engage with key partners and customers through dedicated project team | Key characteristics Pilot new business model with target customers in parallel to traditional business model Establish cross-functional collaborations by involving key functions in solution development Focus all processes around customer needs and open company boundary to engage with more and more stakeholders | Key characteristics Phase out old business models Embrace and live a customer-centric culture Connect with an ecosystem of partners in multilateral exchanges |
←TIME→ |
ORGANISATIONAL & CULTURAL | ECOSYSTEM-RELATED | FINANCIAL |
TYPE OF BARRIER | CHALLENGES | RECOMMENDATIONS | |
INTERNAL | Organisational & cultural | Change in culture requires changes in behaviour, value and mindset of employees Cross-functional collaboration and customer-centricity required for the culture of circular business are often not yet well developed in linearly operating companies – neither on company or function-level As the owner of customer relationships, the sales team needs to endorse the new circular culture The transformation process needs to be well managed and embraced by leadership to support change in the long-term | 1. Address all components of culture 2. Define company-wide and function-specific components 3. Put special focus on sales team 4. Manage culture change with a dedicated programme |
EXTERNAL | Ecosystem-related | Full circular potential in value chains from joint delivery of services and new configuration of value chains requires a diverse set of capabilities. Only big companies will be able to establish such an ecosystem themselves – others can develop an ecosystem of partners To engage with ecosystem partners, actors that can provide the required capabilities and know-how need to be identified Framework conditions form the prerequisite of how the ecosystem and business models can unfold. While some new business models face the challenge of operating without any legal guidance, others face hindering conditions | 5. Understand full circular advantage from collaborative ecosystem opportunities 6. Identify partners to develop ecosystem 7. Be aware of framework conditions and actively engage to shape them |
Financial | Companies with a well running business model do not perceive a need to invest in circular business models that come with different funding requirements, risks and returns With change in cash flow and asset structure, product as a service models change the overall business logic as compared to many other business models. This leads to risks financiers and businesses must assess and mitigate With e.g. changing cash flow structures, funding requirements vary for all business models, and therefore need to be well assessed and described Funding sources are scarce, as only few financiers have circular economy experience | 8. Holistically assess circular benefit 9. Understand business model specific funding requirements 10. Develop mitigation strategies for PaaS specific risks 11. Determine funding requirements 12. Identify funding partner and instrument |
ORGANISATIONAL & CULTURAL |
EXAMPLE
ORGANISATIONAL & CULTURAL |
CULTURE | ||||
Values | Mindset | Behaviours | ||
Company-level | Sustainability Customer value creation Collaboration and teamwork | Minimising resource consumption and environmental impact is key for license to operate Things that increase client value are prioritised Sharing among colleagues is caring | Voice new ideas Use impact on client value as measure to prioritise activities Share know-how and experience across functions | |
Function-specific | Design/R&D | The resource efficient way will be the better way in the long-run | Apply circular design criteria Consider the whole lifecycle in design | |
Sourcing & procurement | Recycled, reused or renewable material should be used where possible | Explore new suppliers for material source | ||
Manufacturing | Repairing a product or component is better than producing a new one | Support designers in design for repair | ||
Sales & aftersales | Every unmet request of a customer is a potential new solution | Have dialogue with customers to explore unmet needs | ||
Take-back & recycling | Failing high recovery rates is failing value capturing | Aim at recovering and recycling as much as possible of products | ||
Strategy & leadership | Leading by example is most effective | Publicly praise employees for their contribution to the journey |
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is a tool called Culture gap analysis, which helps you to understand how circular your company culture is and identify actions to develop it further. → READ MORE
ORGANISATIONAL & CULTURAL |
COMPONENTS OF SALES FUNCTION | REQUIRED CHANGES TO ENABLE OUTCOME-ORIENTATION | REQUIRED CHANGES TO FACILITATE CUSTOMER-CENTRICITY | |||||
Skills & competences | Features | → | Financials | Production | → | Value-chain | |
Know-how on costs to deliver solutions and cost implications for modifications are needed when selling customised solutions with differing features | Highest customer value is achieved when use of capabilities throughout the value chain is optimised for why sales team needs to have close exchange with partners | ||||||
Interaction | Silos | → | One-company | Inside-out | → | Outside-in | |
The sales team needs to e.g. forward customer needs to design department and request input on feasibility of customer wishes | The sales team needs to embrace external information to advance solutions instead of pushing product information and products out to the market | ||||||
Processes & tools | Stand-alone | → | Integrated | Internal | → | Collaborative | |
Integrated databases are required to get easy access to information from the whole product lifecycle | Processes for continuous engagement along product lifecycle are required and exchange of data needs to be enabled through e.g. platforms | ||||||
Metrics | Snapshot | → | Longitudinal | Product | → | Customer | |
Performance indicators and connected incentives need to be forward-looking and consider development over time | Sales volume needs to be measured per customer instead of per product or product family to optimise the value delivered to a customer |
ORGANISATIONAL & CULTURAL |
Case study: Component manufacturer
A component manufacturer faced the challenge of below average ESG[1] performance, reputation of poor service quality and, connected with this, reduction in market share. This is their culture transformation journey:
OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
Planning
Engagement
EXAMPLE
ECOSYSTEM-RELATED |
BUNDLED OFFERINGS: Make e.g. sharing concepts more attractive for customers
Ecosystem design: Partner with companies offering complementary services or products (e.g. insurance for shared products)
Opportunity: Enables to capture value from underutilised capacity of products by addressing potential customer pain points upfront
Challenges: Identifying relevant product or service combinations + Potential cannibalisation of individual product or service sales
Business model relevance
☐ Circular inputs
☑ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☐ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
JOINT DELIVERY OF SERVICES: Increases service spectrum to deliver product use extension
Ecosystem design: Partner with companies delivering use phase services and technology companies enhancing own product e.g. for remote control
Opportunity: Enables to operate business models that require capabilities currently not available at a company (e.g. onsite maintenance and repair service
Challenges: Distribution of captured value among partners
Business model relevance
☐ Circular inputs
☑ Sharing platform
☑ Product use extension
☐ Resource recovery
☑ Product as a service
VALUE CHAIN RECONFIGURATION: Improves collection of material for reuse and recycling
Ecosystem design: Partner with companies throughout the whole value chain jointly working on resource recovery
Opportunity: Enable high quality recycling of large (mostly) uniform material that is currently not recoverable in a linear value chain
Challenges: Exchange of information on material or material composition + Work towards unification of input material (as required) + Purity of recovered material in collection
Business model relevance
☑ Circular inputs
☐ Sharing platform
☐ Product use extension
☑ Resource recovery
☐ Product as a service
ECOSYSTEM-RELATED |
TRADITIONAL APPROACH | ECOSYSTEM APPROACH | ||||
Offering | Products and services | → | End-to-end solutions | → | |
Objective | Maximising profits | → | Maximising customer value | → | |
Interactions | Bilateral | → | Multilateral | → | Enhanced capability to deliver extended value propositions and superior customer experiences |
Solution development | In-house R&D | → | Open innovation | → | |
Relationship strategy | Partner relationship management | → | Ecosystem orchestration | → |
ECOSYSTEM-RELATED |
ECOSYSTEM-RELATED |
Financiers
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is a tool called Ecosystem partner identification, which helps you in identifying ecosystem partners to support with your circular business idea. → READ MORE
ECOSYSTEM-RELATED |
ECOSYSTEM-RELATED |
Source: 1. IEA 2020, Global EV Outlook 2020, Sustainable development Scenario / 2. Circular Economy Handbook - Appendix 2 for more details
ECOSYSTEM-RELATED |
TYPE OF REGULATORY BARRIER | BUSINESS IMPACT | EXAMPLE CASE | ||
Missing regulations | Uncertainty about legal status of operations or requirements to pursue the business Risk of engaging in new model that then is prohibited by new regulations | Sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Uber face difficulties of missing framework that provide required flexibility – e.g. missing appropriate tax collection laws | ||
Current regulations promoting linear models | Distortion of competition for circular businesses due to prices from linear models that do not show true costs (neglecting environmental costs or externalities) | 6.5% of global GDP went to subsidising fossil fuels in 2013 Tax payers pay more than 90% of the cost of recycling plastic | → | Engage in shaping regulations through - Partnering with larger players - Seeking for legal assistance - Participating in political discourse |
Current regulations hindering circular models | Costs from increased administration Hindrance to harness circular value opportunities | Definition of material classifications (e.g. “secondary material” status vs. “waste” status) WEEE is the only category where hazardous substances have been comprehensively restricted for by legislation |
FINANCIAL |
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is a Value case tool, with which you can calculate a high-level business case, including investment need, for the circular economy business models for your company. → READ MORE
EXAMPLE
FINANCIAL |
FINANCIAL |
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS | APPLICABILITY FOR BUSINESS MODELS | FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS | LEVEL OF RISK/RETURN | |
Incremental investments to extend offering portfolio | Circular Inputs Product Use Extension Resource Recovery | → | Investments to e.g. modify production equipment or set up reverse logistics processes are required Incremental revenue and/or cost reduction opportunity exists If deposit system is introduced in take-back, additional cashflows are generated | |
Significant investment to finance balance sheet extension | Product as a service1 | → | Required working capital increases due to changes in cashflow and extension of balance sheet (assets offered to customer as-a-service need to be pre-financed) Assets distributed to customers have limited value as collateral | |
Significant investment to finance new and potentially disruptive offering | Sharing Platform | → | High investments are required for platform due to “winner takes it all” effect Potential to disrupt industry exists but with uncertainty of success for this strategy and related return on investment |
1. Deep dive → See chapter 6
FINANCIAL |
RISKS OF PRODUCT AS A SERVICE MODEL | MITIGATION STRATEGIES | |
Financial | Default of payback due to longer payback periods for the required working capital Illiquidity and costly collection of collateral due to assets being located at customer sites Decreasing value of collateral over time due to depreciation Unknown residual value of many products, due to small market of circular output companies | Shorten payback period by changing pricing model to get higher cash flows in beginning Show benefit of higher and more stable profit margins based on additional lifecycles and reduced dependence to volatile commodity prices Leverage supply chain for securities i.e. supply chain finance/ reversed factoring |
Legal | Discontinued payment of service in case of client bankruptcy by liquidator and limited ability to get product back (depending on products e.g. power-by-the-hour) Legal ownership of assets might get lost due to legal accession (e.g. in real estate) | Collect deposit to reduce risks connected to bankruptcy Design service cut-off function (e.g. remotely disable engine in case of default of payment) to incentivise continued payment Diversify contract and client portfolio |
Market-related | Lacking demand of offered service as customers and companies are currently used to owning products Lower solvency of customers attracted by PaaS due to reduced level of individual payments Availability of stable second hand market required for valuing collateral | Check creditworthiness of customers Introduce risk premiums in pricing scheme |
Mitigation strategies are important to convince internal or external financiers, depending on the individual funding requirements |
FINANCIAL |
1. Model expected net cash flow
2. Define financing needs
To offer circular business models companies need to
3. Asses risks and offer securities
The cashflow logic of all circular business models but PaaS is similar to linear value creation. Therefore, only for PaaS risks and collateral assessment varies. Following aspects are relevant:
4. Select funding sources[1]1 European commission (2016): Flash Eurobarometer 441 - European SMEs and the Circular Economy
Companies can more easily use internal funding or approach external financiers. If external funding is required, the appropriate funding instrument and source is dependent on funding volume and risk. Factors influencing the risk are e.g.
The next pages give details on instruments and sources.
Did you know? On the Circular Economy site, there is a tool called Funding requirement analysis, which helps you to reflect on your funding needs and sources → READ MORE
FINANCIAL |
FUNDING SOURCE | FUNDING INSTRUMENT | APPLICATION IN CIRCULAR BUSINESSES | INDICATIVE LEVEL OF RISK/RETURN |
Banks | Corporate debt (e.g. Bank loans, credit lines) | Traditional lending that can finance circular investment needs Requires guarantees from company | |
Leasing | Can enable Product as a service business models Applicable for products with predictable residual value or creditworthy company | ||
Invoice factoring, purchase order financing | Can increase working capital and thus support PaaS business model Applicable for companies with solid client or supplier base | ||
Warehouse financing | Can enable e.g. product life extending businesses models that might lead to increase in inventory Applicable for products with predictable residual value in mid- to high price range as storage fees need to be considered | ||
Capital markets | Equity finance Debt finance (Green bonds) | Only applicable for larger and mature circular businesses that meet the scale and requirements of the capital markets | |
For-profit investors | Crowd funding | Applicable for circular businesses that involve the (local) community or those based on ideas that appeal to the crowd | |
Venture capital, private equity | Only partly applicable for circular businesses as high growth and relatively fast payback horizons are required | ||
Foundations & impact investors | Grants, loans | Suitable for circular businesses that are at a pilot stage and not profitable yet or are lacking a track record (Depending on financier, high level of return is not expected) | Depending on financier, high level of return is not expected |
Source: Based on ING (2015): Rethinking finance in a circular economy
FINANCIAL |
BANKS: MOST COMMON SME FINANCE SOURCE
OTHER PRIVATE FUNDING INSTITUTIONS
PUBLIC FUNDING INSTITUTIONS
INVOLVING SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERS IN FINANCING DISCUSSIONS (E.G. THROUGH SIGNED CONTRACTS) CAN SUPPORT THE FUNDING PROCESS
Source: Company and organization websites
1. Culture gap analysis
Tool for analyzing how circular your current company culture is and outlining activities to bridge identified culture gaps
Estimated working time: 15 min
2. Ecosystem partner identification
Tool for identifying external partners that can help in bridging internal capability and technology gap
Estimated working time: 15 min
3. Funding requirement analysis
Tool for reflecting on funding requirements of your selected circular business model
Estimated working time: 15 min
4. Roadmap development
Tool for planning your circular transformation journey, including list of activities and key milestones
Estimated working time: 30-45 min
→ READ MORE
KEY QUESTIONS
BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
Based on the information learnt in this chapter, fill in the following parts of the business model canvas:
CHAPTER SUMMARY: INDUSTRY DEEP-DIVES
THIS CHAPTER WILL HELP YOU TO:
THE PLAYBOOK TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO FIVE IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEMS WITHIN THE NORDIC MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Machinery & equipment: Manufacture of machinery and equipment, including e.g. engines and turbines, pumps, compressors and valves, agriculture, forestry, mining and metallurgy machinery, and lifting and handling machinery → Read more
Maritime: Manufacture of ship parts and maritime equipment, such as hull, propulsion and power engines, other systems and solutions and interior equipment → Read more
Energy: Manufacture of electrical equipment, such as batteries, accumulators, wiring and wiring devices, electric lighting equipment, transformers and electricity control apparatus → Read more
Transportation: Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, and their parts and equipment → Read more
Construction: Manufacture of buildings and their materials and components → Read more
RAW MATERIAL PROCESSING | COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING | MANUFACTURING | LOGISTICS | OPERATION/END-USE | DECOMMISSIONING | |
EXAMPLE ACTORS | SSAB, Hydro, Outokumpu | Danfoss, AQ Group, Stala Tube, Componenta, Nordic Aluminium | Kongsberg, Kone, ABB, Cargotec, Marel, Konecranes, Ebmpapst | Havator Group, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, ILS - Inventory Locator Service, Janhunen Oy | YIT Oy, HKScan, Vattenfall, Skanska, Fortum, Södra | Delete Group Oy, Purkupiha, Norsk Gjenvinning |
KEY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | Production of raw materials including
| Manufacturing components, such as
| Manufacturing all types of machinery and equipment, such as
| Providing transportation services, such as
| Creating products and services of industrial customers in various sectors, such as
| Offering products and services, such as
|
EXAMPLE CE INITIATIVES* | Circular supplies – using and creating materials with high recyclability | Build to last – component technical life is a very important KPI for a manufacturing company | Build to last - applying modular design Product use extension services (repair & maintain, upgrade and remanufacture) are increasingly common | N/A | Build to last, circular supplies, repair & maintain and upgrade – the operators aim for a deep relationship with the end-user | Recycle & return – the decommission companies make business from returning raw materials back to the start of the value chain |
*Examples of the circular economy initiatives pursued by some Nordic companies in the industry
INEFFICIENCY | DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT STATE |
UNSUSTAINABLE MATERIALS | Most input materials are recyclable and durable (e.g. steel) and the use of recycled material is common. Use of sustainable indirect materials, such as renewable energy is limited, and there are currently large investments in production sites and logistics networks to optimize energy consumption during production, product operation and end-use |
UNDERUTILISED CAPACITIES | Industrial machinery is often not utilized on optimal capacity levels even if most machinery and equipment are customized to fully fit customer needs |
PREMATURE PRODUCT LIVES | Products are built to last for long lifecycles, typically more than 10 years, but they are not necessarily designed for reparability or upgradeability. Many companies still acknowledge a large potential in enhancing services like repair, maintenance and upgrade services as these are not fully exploited today, for example through predictive and condition-based maintenance |
WASTED END-OF-LIFE VALUE | Products and equipment are designed for long lifecycles and are often not designed with a focus on ease of dismantling and recycling. Many companies are showing a large interest for take-back schemes for their products, but few companies have managed to do this successfully |
UNEXPLOITED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENTS | The full potential of after-sales and add on sales is not exploited, but many companies are exploring new service-based offerings |
Analysis based on desktop research, insights from workshops with SMEs and interviews with industry experts.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL |
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last |
Circular supplies | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service |
Performance as a service | |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain |
Upgrade | |
Resell | |
Remanufacture | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle |
Return |
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL | EXAMPLES | |
Modular product design can improve operational efficiency and enhance durability and reparability of products | |||
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | The Outotec cPlant is a modular flotation plant that offers fast, effective and affordable solutions for small mine sites or sites requiring extra capacity. The flotation plant is based on pre-fabricated and functionally tested modules inside container-sized steel frames that can be easily transported and installed, and quickly connected to the process. | |
Circular supplies | Atlas Copco’s nitrogen generator has a modular design based on the customer’s specified flow, purity and pressure figures. If the customer requires extra capacity at a certain point, modules can be easily added to the existing nitrogen generator. The nitrogen generators can be used in parallel to achieve the most cost-efficient solution. | ||
Sharing platforms increase utilisation rates and maximise value contribution of products | |||
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | EquipmentShare is a construction machinery marketplace, including equipment such as forklifts, mobile generators and drill rigs. The rental price depends on the equipment weight, and the platform takes a cut of every transaction that occurs on the marketplace. EquipmentShare also offers software that connects the machines and provides insight about how the equipment operates to increase utilization, productivity and efficiency on the jobsite. | |
eRent is a Finnish start-up company that offers a digital platform for companies where machines, devices and other goods can be shared and tracked. eRent aims to improve the utilization rate of equipment and eRent’s main clients are equipment rental agencies, construction firms and other industrial companies from all different sectors. | |||
PaaS1 transfers cost-of-ownership to the producer which can incentivise more efficient use of resources | |||
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | AMECO Heavy Machinery Rental Services rents industrial machinery such as cranes to construction businesses in America and Africa. The focus is on shorter-term projects, typically with a duration of up to six months. | |
Performance as a service | As part of Metso’s lifecycle services, Metso offers a Cost per Ton Payment Plan opportunity. If choosing this, customers receive only one invoice based on their actual production tonnage which takes into account all associated cost for maintaining the equipment, including wear parts, spares, labor and any other needed Metso services. | ||
With a GE Oil & Gas Contractual Service Agreement (CSA), GE carries the risk of equipment malfunction. The service is tailored to meet the unique needs and requirements of each customer and it includes asset performance management for continuous equipment monitoring and diagnostics to maximize equipment availability and reliability. | |||
Remanufacturing, upgrade, and maintenance can extend product lifecycles and release new sources of value | |||
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain | Ramirent conducts repair and maintenance of all their machines and are starting exploring telematics and analytics to advance these services. They are also reselling old equipment to second-hand markets and conducts remanufacturing to extend the lifetime of the equipment. | |
Upgrade | SR-Harvesting buys old Valtra and Valmet tractors from both Finland and abroad. The company disassembles, cleans, repairs and sells any parts that can be repaired, and recycles the rest of the material. The repaired parts cost 55% of new similar parts and have a 6-month warranty. | ||
Resell | The Cat Reman program recovers materials through differentiated technology and employs environmentally sustainable practices to restore worn components to good-as-new condition. Remanufactured products are sold at a lower price with a like-new warranty. With the program, Caterpillar recycles 134 million lbs annually, and can preserve ~85% of original energy "value add“. | ||
Remanufacture | Ponsse Reman offers a quick, inexpensive and eco-friendly way of replacing damaged spare parts. Reman parts is a service developed by Ponsse and is based on recycling and reconditioning used parts. The customers receive a credit for the returned part when they simultaneously buy a Reman part. | ||
Decommissioning and recycling can offer a competitive cost advantage in raw material supply | |||
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | ZenRobotic develops and sells waste-sorting robots that separate different materials for reuse from waste. ---ZenRobotics can adapt to changing waste-management and legislation requirements, and it tackles the profitability issues of waste sorting. More precise sorting allows over 95% of waste materials arriving to waste-treatment facilities to be sorted for recycling. | |
Return | Each year, 80 000 tons of gypsum waste is generated in Norway. Even though gypsum has a recycling rate of over 90%, the majority of the waste has previously gone to landfill sites. To capture this opportunity, Norsk Gjenvinning has together with their technology partner New West Gypsum Recycling established a gypsum recycling plant. The recycled gypsum powder is a very attractive product for the gypsum producers due to the high volume and quality. |
Source: Company websites
SHIP DESIGN | RAW MATERIAL PROCESSING | COMPONENT & EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING | ASSEMBLY & INTEGRATION | OPERATION | MAINTENANCE & UPGRADE | DECOMMISSIONING | |
EXAMPLE ACTORS | NSK Ship design, SSPA, Foreship, ENGnD | Hydro, SSAB, Outokumpu | ABB, Kongsberg, Promeco, Mobimar, Wärtsilä | Helsinki Shipyard, Kleven, Kaefer, Ulstein, Team Electric Oy, Moen | Finnlines, Containerships, Wallenius Wilhelmsen | Ulstein, Turku Repair Yard/BLRT Group | Delete Group Oy, Grieg Green, Hans Langh |
KEY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | Provides ship design, offshore engineering and construction support Services span from concept development to project management during shipbuilding | Produces raw materials including:
| Creates main equipment and integrated solutions, incl.
| Manufactures the hull of the ship and assembles the ship by cutting, forming, welding, fitting and joining the different parts of the ship together Finalises the ship by
| Equips the ship for transporting goods and/or passengers, and operates it | Conducts repair, maintenance and conversion projects, incl. e.g. damage repairs, equipment replacements, refurbishing, and repainting | Provides various services for end-of-life vessels
|
Conducts dock and sea trials to test the ship and make final fixes Organises a celebratory launch for the ship | |||||||
EXAMPLE CE INITIATIVES* | Build to last – modular design principles | Circular supplies – creates material with high recyclability | Build to last – high use of modular design principles, some use of recycled materials Return waste materials to source Product-as-a-service – only some players have started providing these | Build to last - applying modular design Product use extension services (repair & maintain, upgrade and remanufacture) are increasingly common | Rental agreements – chartering | Lifecycle services – repair, refurbishment, repainting, etc. | Recycle/upcycle Return |
*Examples of the circular economy initiatives pursued by some Nordic companies in the industry
INEFFICIENCY | DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT STATE |
UNSUSTAINABLE MATERIALS | Most input materials in ships are recyclable and durable (e.g. steel or aluminum). On average, 96% of ship materials can be recycled or reused. Use of sustainable indirect materials is limited, and most efforts are focused on optimizing the safety and energy efficiency of the ship during its operation (e.g. improving the fuel efficiency). |
UNDERUTILISED CAPACITIES | Underutilized capacities are one of the larges inefficiencies in the maritime industry. Many ships are left unused for long periods of time, have long idle times when in port or operated with limited use of available capacity, creating significant unnecessary costs and emissions. In 2020, the global container fleet idle time reached 10%. In terms of operational fit, ships are typically custom-built, while for maritime equipment both standardization and customization are used. |
PREMATURE PRODUCT LIVES | Ships are built to last for long lifecycles, and a typical life of a ship is 20-30 years. However, ships can be scrapped prematurely due to overcapacity in the market. Ship operators are increasingly interested in refurbishment and upgrade projects to revitalize their fleet at the end of lifetime, but the cost efficiency of these upgrades is often a blocker. Non-standardized equipment and components make remanufacturing of ships challenging. |
WASTED END-OF-LIFE VALUE | The ships are dismantled and recycled at end of life due to revenue gained from selling the scrapped steel and other bulk materials. However, there are some limitations to profitably recycling materials such as fabrics, small manufactured items, and motors that cost more to reduce to scrap than the scrap is worth. |
UNEXPLOITED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENTS | After-sales and add-on sale efforts are limited for most maritime industry players, but original equipment manufacturers are now starting to establish stronger customer engagement relationships with the ship owners. The companies are now expanding their service portfolio and are exploring as-a-service business models. |
Analysis based on desktop research, insights from workshops with SMEs and interviews with industry experts. Public material from Alphaliner.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL |
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last |
Circular supplies | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service |
Performance as a service | |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain |
Upgrade | |
Resell | |
Remanufacture | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle |
Return |
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL | EXAMPLES |
Modular design principles and use of recyclable materials facilitate lifecycle extension and resource recovery | ||
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | Kavika: Products are manufactured from durable, recyclable materials (stainless or acid-proof steel), and are therefore fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle. All excess materials from production are recycled and reused. |
Circular supplies | ABB has a strict approach to ensuring that all materials and components used in their products are sustainable. The company has built sustainability into their product and technology development process, focusing on product design, material selection, and minimized material use and emission generation in manufacturing processes. | |
Kongsberg: The ship, Yara Birkeland, is the world’s first zero emission, autonomous container feeder. The ship will be a fully battery powered solution, prepared for autonomous and unmanned operation. | ||
Wärtsilä applies a modular architecture in engine design to enable increased commonality and backward compatibility of parts. This approach enables reduced product development costs, faster time-to-market, reduced maintenance time and costs and higher reusability of materials and components. | ||
Sharing platforms are most relevant in the operation phase, and can increase use of vessel capacity | ||
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | AMLA facilitates vessel sharing arrangements between member operators to maximize efficiency and reduce maritime logistics costs. Through AMLA, member operators can increase revenue by shipping other operators’ cargo or reduce their chartering costs by taking space on a fellow member’s vessel. The platform allows members to access available shippings up to a week ahead and view real time information on estimated cost and CO2 savings. |
Blockshipping has created the Global Shared Container Platform (GSCP), which aims to be the first real-time registry of the world’s approximately 27 million shipping containers and a joint platform for all players in the industry for container sharing. The platform aims to reduce the amount of empty containers, which is a significant issue in the shipping industry. The platform is powered with blockchain and sensor technology and thus allows performing a wide range of transactions efficiently, such as container sharing. According to Blockshipping, the platform has potential to reduce costs for the global shipping industry by $5.7 bn and reduce global CO2 emissions by more than 4.6 million tons every year. | ||
Demand for as-a-service models for maritime equipment is increasing, providing new opportunities to explore | ||
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | The ‘Power by the Hour’ service agreement for vessels hands the responsibility for service planning and performance to Kongsberg instead of the ship operator. The operator pays a fixed charge per hour of operation, per ship, and Kongsberg monitors the equipment aboard each vessel from onshore with the help of onboard sensors. The agreement insures the operator against downtime due to equipment failure and ensures optimized equipment performance. Kongsberg has estimated that the model could reduce customers’ maintenance cost by as much as 25% over a 10-15 year contract. |
Performance as a service | Wärtsilä has an advanced 12-year performance-based maintenance agreement with Carnival Corporation which covers all engine maintenance and monitoring work of 79 vessels and their 434 engines. The agreement includes Wärtsilä’s Dynamic Maintenance Planning (DMP) and Condition Based Maintenance (CBM), which leverage data analytics for real-time asset optimization and predictive maintenance. The value of the agreement is approximately EUR 900 million, enabling significant annual savings in fleet operational costs for Carnival. | |
Lifecycle services provide significant revenue potential for equipment manufacturers | ||
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain | Smedegaarden sells high-quality second-hand maritime equipment from scrapped vessels such as engines, engine parts, gearboxes, thrusters, pumps and anchors. |
Upgrade | ABB: Condition based maintenance service predicts equipment failure modes and risks related to potential failures and provides advice on when to perform repair and maintenance actions based on actual equipment condition and performance monitoring. The solution increases reliability and availability of the vessel and reduces maintenance costs. | |
Resell | Schottel offers various modernization solutions for its propulsion equipment to upgrade their performance instead of replacing them with new ones, including e.g. modernization of steering systems and interfaces and propulsion upgrades. The solutions reduce maintenance time and costs, prevent unexpected stops and downtime and reduce damage and risk of breakdown. | |
Remanufacture | Evac is offering both retrofit and refurbishment services to upgrade the components of existing systems. Upgrades extend the lifespan of the system and allow older vessels to benefit from the latest technologies. | |
Wärtsilä offers remanufacturing services for engine components, bringing worn out components back to their full functionality. The quality of remanufactured components is equal to new ones, while their price is significantly lower. Therefore, the solution substantially reduces costs of maintenance while also reducing environmental footprint through material reuse. | ||
Piikkiö Works offers turnkey wet cell refurbishment (Wetref) for cabins, which is a complete solution for upgrading the ageing wet cells of a ship. Refurbishment extends the lifecycle of the cabins and upgrades them to meet changing customer expectations. | ||
Resource recovery of ship parts, materials and equipment enables both cost and environmental efficiencies | ||
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | The material from Wärtsilä’s end-of-life components is used to create recycled material. Recycled material, such as end-of-life coins and bronze propellers from propulsion equipment is used in casting new propellers, thus reducing the environmental impact of the products. |
Return | Maersk: Cradle-to-Cradle Passport is a database listing the material composition of the main parts of the ship, enabling better recycling of materials and parts used in vessel construction. The database will cover about 95% (by weight) of the materials and updating it involves around 75 suppliers to the ship. | |
Sea2Cradle provides a hassle-free way for ship owners to handle the recycling of their vessel by making a ship recycling plan, finding a buyer, and supervising the dismantling and recycling at the demolition yard. The company has high standards for green ship recycling, currently recycling more than 95% of all materials and aiming for 100%. | ||
Kongsberg provides a recycling service for recycling all Kongsberg Maritime products and equipment. The service is free of charge and ensures that worn equipment is recycled or disposed responsibly. |
Source: Company websites
COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING | COMPONENTS DISTRIBUTION | MANUFACTURING | WHOLESALE | INSTALLATION & OPERATION | COLLECTION | |
EXAMPLE ACTORS | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Crydom, Amphenol | Arrow Electronics, Mouser Electronics | Danfoss, ABB, Schneider Electric, Vacon, Fischer Lighting, Northvolt, Alfa Laval, Vexve | Ahlsell, SLO, Onninen, Solar | ABB, Renas, L&T Lassila & Tikanoja | |
KEY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | Manufacturing electrical components such as diodes, transistors, hall and current sensors, thyristors, opto-electronics, displays, discharge devises and resistors | Distributing electrical components, often with a large variety of products from numerous suppliers globally | Manufacturing electrical equipment such as batteries, accumulators, wiring and wiring devices, electric lighting equipment, transformers and electricity control apparatus | Distributing electrical equipment | Producing power generation, distribution and other utilities Key customers are in the sectors of e.g. construction, energy, raw material producing or industrial equipment manufacturing | Collecting and recycling electrical waste |
EXAMPLE CENITIATIVES* | Build to last - products are planned to be durable and energy efficient at the product installation & operation -phases | N/A | Product use extension services and recovery and recycle services initiatives are increasing | N/A | Product and performance as a service - selling results instead of a product | Recycle/upcycle and return - re-usage and remanufacturing is getting more common |
*Examples of the circular economy initiatives pursued by some Nordic companies in the industry
INEFFICIENCY | DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT STATE |
UNSUSTAINABLE MATERIALS | Electrical equipment manufacturers aim to produce components and products that are energy efficient during their use phase, but not necessarily having any focus on sustainability of the production. For the majority of electrical equipment companies, the use of both direct and indirect recyclable or renewable materials in production is limited. |
UNDERCAPACITIES UTILISED | Capacity use of energy equipment is not always optimized, even if they are often built to fully meet customer needs and requirements through customization. This is due to both unexpected downtime on the equipment and fluctuations in customer demand where the equipment is not used. |
PREMATURE PRODUCT LIVES | Electrical equipment is often replaced due to limited opportunities for upgrades and customers opting for the products with the newest technologies. Not all electrical equipment reach their technical life targets due to challenging conditions and improper care. Equipment maintenance often happens according to schedule, not need, which increases the wasting of resources. |
WASTED END-OF-LIFE VALUE | Recycling of electrical equipment is very limited, as the volume and the value of recovered materials is low. It is therefore challenging to achieve volumes at scale and a cost-efficient process. Also, many products are sold outside the Nordics and Europe, making their take-back and recycling challenging due to disconnected producer responsibilities. New Nordic collaborations such as Recipo, the collective collection and recycling system for electrical and electronic equipment, have been created to mitigate some of these challenges. |
UNEXPLOITED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENTS | There are some companies working on increasing their share of revenues from both after sales and add-on sales, however, on a general basis providing outcome-oriented solutions is very rare in the industry. |
Analysis based on desktop research, insights from workshops with SMEs and interviews with industry experts.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL |
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last |
Circular supplies | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service |
Performance as a service | |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain |
Upgrade | |
Resell | |
Remanufacture | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle |
Return |
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL | EXAMPLES |
Modular design principles and use of recyclable materials facilitate lifecycle extension and resource recovery | ||
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | Schneider Electric initiated a program in January 2015, where they started upgrading products that had become obsolete while in storage. This means that instead of traditionally dismantling the products to raw materials and reusing the raw materials, they use as much of the old products components in new versions. The approach has been successful with product groups such as circuit breakers and wiring devices. |
Circular supplies | Danfoss: Vacon NXP System Drives have a modular design which enables customization and cost savings. The product design also means that faults are reduced to certain components and the components can be changed quickly in case of a breakdown. | |
Sharing platform initiatives are mainly focused on the usage phase, allowing businesses and consumers to sell their excess energy | ||
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | Power Ledger is a blockchain-based cryptocurrency and energy trading platform that allows for decentralized selling and buying of renewable energy. The peer-to-peer energy marketplace allows sale of surplus renewable energy generated at residential and commercial developments connected to existing electricity distribution networks, or within micro-grids. |
SOLshare is the world’s first peer-to-peer solar electricity trading platform that leverages existing solar home systems (SHS) in an off-grid context to create a bottom-up smart grid. The platform allows individuals to share their excess electricity with roughly a dozen other homes, of which some are equipped with solar panels and others not. | ||
Product as a service business models align customer and client objectives to minimise product lifecycle costs | ||
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | Solnet offers solar power systems as a service, both on a turnkey basis and through service agreements, in which the customer pays a rate for the produced electricity. Solnet’s customers are primarily owners of large property portfolios. |
Performance as a service | Philips has several case examples of selling light as a service. This performance-based service can be sold through several business models, such as both pay-per-lux and monthly subscriptions. These service-based models often lead to lower lifecycle costs, energy reductions and better optimization and simplicity for the end-user. | |
Remanufacturing and maintenance services offer a deeper customer relationship and new business opportunities | ||
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain | ABB Transformer Remanufacturing and Engineering Services reduces downtime and minimizes risk, while also extending the life of the transformers. The service provides quick and quality repairing in case of a transformer breakdown, time or condition-based maintenance and repair services instead of reinstall. |
Upgrade | Helvar has an offering of comprehensive lifecycle services, from scheduled routine maintenance visits and remote system management to a fully managed comprehensive system maintenance package, which includes network and energy monitoring, system optimization and a guaranteed upgrade path. | |
Resell | Fischer Lighting extend the lifetime of used lighting fixtures by producing modular LED solutions built on existing fixtures. The solution offers all the functionality, lighting quality and energy saving technology expected from state-of-the-art LED. The LED solutions frequently lead to fewer disruptions in the installation phase, as it will not be necessary to rebuild or restructure ceilings. The solutions can be taken apart, eliminating the need to discard the lamp or fixture in connection with future upgrades. | |
Remanufacture | The Schneider Electric Circuit Breaker Retrofit program modernizes and updates electrical distribution centers. As a result of a timely upgrade, the maintenance costs can be significantly reduced, the product life prolonged and the technical capabilities improved. | |
Collection and recycling can offer a competitive advantage to raw material supply, especially for scarce materials | ||
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | The total Siemens recycling rate is 90%, which is far beyond complying with legal requirements. Siemens has its aims set even higher, by targeting for 0% waste to landfill, 100% of air emissions controlled and 6% improvement in energy efficiency. |
Return | Grundfos has a take-back scheme for used circulators. The scheme covers the Danish home market and has been developed in cooperation with wholesalers. All major circulator wholesalers are participating in the voluntary scheme, corresponding to more than 200 wholesalers across Denmark. | |
SF6 is a commonly used gas by many manufacturers of medium- and high-voltage switchgear, and although it is not poisonous, it has high global warming potential. Schneider Electric has established systems were 99% of SF6 can be recycled, recovered and reused. In addition, they can recover 97% or more of the other material in a switch gear. The equipment owner pays Schneider Electric for these recycling services. |
Source: Company websites
RAW MATERIAL PROCESSING | COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING | MANUFACTURING & ASSEMBLY | DISTRIBUTION | USE | REPAIR & MAINTENANCE | DISPOSAL & RECYCLING | |
EXAMPLE ACTORS | SSAB, Hydro, Plastix, Outokumpu | Nokian Renkaat, Raufoss, Fenno, Veoneer, Ekeri | Volvo, Scania, Valmet | Volvo, Scania, Veho, Bilia | DHL, DSV, DB Schenker, Nobina | BilXtra, Assistor, Werksta, Atoy Autohuolto | Hellik Teigen AS, Stena Recycling, Suomen Autokierrätys |
KEY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES | Produces raw materials including
| Manufactures main parts and equipment of vehicles, including
| Provides services such as manufacturing engineering, body welding, painting and final assembly of vehicles | Distributes vehicles for sale Sells both new and used vehicles and provides after sales support Provides vehicle sharing & rental services | Provides logistics services or transports people from one place to another | Provides repair & maintenance services (incl. damage repairs, repainting, reinstallation etc.) Sells spare parts and accessories | Provides collection, treatment and recycling services for end-of-life vehicles, incl. separation of reusable components, crushing, and separation of materials to be reutilised |
EXAMPLE CE INITIATIVES* | Circular supplies – creates material with high recyclability | Build to last – durable products that are easy to repair, somewhat modular design Return | Build to last – somewhat modular design principles Return | Rentals – renting, leasing Resell – market for used vehicles | N/A | Lifecycle services – repair, maintenance, refurbishment Remanufacturing | Recycle/upcycle Return |
*Examples of the circular economy initiatives pursued by some Nordic companies in the industry
INEFFICIENCY | DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT STATE |
UNSUSTAINABLE MATERIALS | Most input materials are recyclable (e.g. metals), however design of products is not optimized for continuous regeneration (materials are mixed together in components), which increases the use of virgin materials. The main inefficiency in terms of unsustainable materials are unsustainable sources of energy, even though the electrification of vehicles are increasing. The use of sustainable energy sources also requires significant investment in the infrastructure. |
UNDERUTILISEDCAPACITIES | Typically, private vehicles are left unused for long periods of time and their full capacity is not used, creating significant unnecessary costs. For rail and buses, availability and reliability are key metrics and capacity utilization is a key strategic priority for the companies. The demand forecast that creates the transport schedules can be improved by e.g. using predictive technologies, however there are natural times where there will be lower utilization (e.g. during night). |
PREMATURE PRODUCT LIVES | Most vehicles and vehicle components are durable and have long lifecycles. Still, private vehicle maintenance mainly happens according to schedule, not according to need, wasting some lifecycle effects. In the public transport industry, there is a high focus on expanding the lifecycle of assets. However, maintenance schedules and plans are set up with a high degree of safety measures and rigid maintenance intervals, which can contribute to wasting some lifecycle effects as well. |
WASTED END-OF-LIFE VALUE | Most manufacturing waste and the majority of end-of life products are recycled by the customer. The use of e.g. metals in the products make this attractive also from a customer perspective. However, increased complexity e.g. due to rise of customization, use of glue in fixation, advanced electronics and product documentation regulations makes recycling, repair and recovery of vehicles and trains increasingly challenging. Dedicated product take-back schemes from the manufacturer are rare. |
UNEXPLOITED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENTS | After sales and add-on sales opportunities from the manufacturers are relatively well exploited, compared to other manufacturing sub-sectors. Suppliers are actively engaging with their customers on e.g. the maintenance operations. |
Analysis based on desktop research, insights from workshops with SMEs and interviews with industry experts.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL |
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last |
Circular supplies | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service |
Performance as a service | |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain |
Upgrade | |
Resell | |
Remanufacture | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle |
Return |
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL | EXAMPLES |
Modular design principles and use of recyclable materials facilitate recovery of parts and materials | ||
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | Around one third of materials in a new Volvo truck come from recycled materials, and up to 90% of the truck can be recycled at the end of its life, thanks to labelling components for easy identification and dismantling. |
Circular supplies | Modularity and standardization in engine design have been key principles at AGCO Power for decades. Common platforms thinking, with similar basic designs and shared parts, reduce waste in production and make the after sales operations more efficient | |
Sharing platforms are more relevant in the vehicle use phase, where they enable capacity optimisation | ||
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | TNX offers an innovative freight matching platform which matches cargo to vehicles, and optimises road transport by consolidating or bundling offers and generating dynamic and intelligent routes. Thanks to the service, utilisation of trucks can be increased and empty running reduced. |
Uber Freight is an on-demand freight service for trucking carriers which connects truck drivers with cargo that needs to be hauled long distances. The goal of the service is to reduce the hassles of trucking, including e.g. downtime and deadhead miles. | ||
The product as a service models strengthen customer relationships through shared risk and frequent interaction | ||
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | Tire as a Service leasing programme allows Michelin customers to lease tires against a pay-per-mile fee. The service allows Michelin to establish the necessary control to re-introduce tires returned at the end of the leasing period, while reducing the risk associated with replacement for customers. The company also offers sensor based-data analytics for predictive maintenance and fuel optimization. |
Performance as a service | MAN offers trucks-as-a-service on a pay-per-use basis. MAN owns the truck and uses telematics and digital connectivity to manage the risk and maintenance of the truck while the fleet operator is responsible for the fuel and driver costs. | |
Volvo Service Agreements guarantee the best possible uptime for buses and trucks against a monthly fee. For example, the Volvo Gold Contract includes 100% uptime promise, remote diagnostics and preventive maintenance, and covers all repairs. | ||
Various services can significantly prolong the lifecycle of a vehicle while also generating additional revenues | ||
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain | HealthHub is a condition-based predictive maintenance tool that monitors the health of trains, train infrastructure and signaling systems. The tool uses advanced data analytics to extend and maintain the useful life of trains. |
Upgrade | Renault reuses parts coming from its end-of-life vehicles, sales network, plants or suppliers, and sells these second-hand parts (body, lights, shield, etc.) through affordable repair offers. | |
Resell | Renault reconditions or remanufactures used parts, which are collected in the sales network, sorted and refurbished. The process involves complete dismantling, cleaning, sorting, refurbishment and replacement of faulty or worn parts, reassembly and inspection. | |
Remanufacture | Scania Service Exchange takes used and worn components (e.g. engines, gearboxes and clutch parts), strips them down completely and remanufactures them. Components are remanufactured to the original Scania specifications and then tested exactly as brand new parts, and finally resold at a lower price. | |
Thanks to legislative initiatives, the transportation industry is a forerunner in resource recycling | ||
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | Nokian Tyres: Scrap tyres, or tyres that do not meet quality standards, are taken to recycling directly from production. 79% of production waste is recycled, 11% recovered as energy, and 8% reused. Discarded tyres serve various reuse and recycling applications, they can e.g. be utilised as material or for energy production |
Return | Ford performs closed-loop recycling, with auto parts materials recycled back to the same use. For example, the company recycles 5 million pounds of aluminium scrap a week, which is enough to build 37,000 new F-series truck bodies. Ford also upcycles some materials, such as milk bottles to be used as automotive components and industrial fabrics to be used in seats. | |
GM recycles 84% of its worldwide manufacturing waste and has 111 landfill-free facilities. By-product recycling and reuse generates approximately $1bn in annual revenue for the company. |
Source: Company websites
BUILDING PLANNING AND DESIGN | MATERIAL AND COMPONENT MANUFACTURING | LOGISTICS | CONSTRUCTION | OPERATION | DEMOLITION | |
EXAMPLE ACTORS | Sweco, Mad, Cowi | Saint-Gobain, Kone, Wienerberger, Caverion | DB Schenker, Bring, PostNord | NCC, Skanska, Veidekke | Coor, Toma | Remeo, Sortera Group, Norsk Gjenvinning |
KEY PRODUCT AND SERVICES | Provides planning and design for the components, systems and ultimately the complete building, including material choices. | Produces materials, such as cement or steel, and partly/fully assembled components such as ventilation systems, elevators or floor panels. | Transports material and components from the production site to the construction site and transports packaging and surplus material away from the construction site. | Constructs the complete building on the site, including cutting and assembling of individual components. | Operates the building to accommodate the requirements of the tenants, such as energy management and required maintenance, upgrades and refurbishment. | Demolition of the building and separation of components and material if possible. The material is either recycled or sent to landfill. |
EXAMPLE CE INITIATIVES* | Build to last - buildings are planned to be energy efficient at the operation phase and use of material banks to track material information throughout the lifecycle | Circular supplies - the end materials are made of recyclable materials and materials that are durable | N/A | Build to last - use of pre-fabricated and modular components which minimizes waste generation at the site | Product and performance as a service - selling lightning as a service instead of a product Circular supplies - smart energy management | Recycle/upcycle and return - recycle construction waste Sharing platform - re-selling of surplus material or waste material |
*Examples of the circular economy initiatives pursued by some Nordic companies in the industry
INEFFICIENCY | DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT STATE |
UNSUSTAINABLE MATERIALS | Virgin materials are normally used rather than secondary materials or materials with recycled content. This is because recycled materials have the same quality requirements as virgin products and since virgin material is so cheap, recycled material is not able to compete on the price. The construction sector is a large generator of waste, waste from the construction sector accounts for 30-40% of the total waste generated in the Nordics.1 |
UNDERUTILISED CAPACITIES | During the construction process, equipment and logistics assets present areas with underutilized capacities. Equipment used in construction process are typically idle for long time periods. Due to a fragmented supplier market and use of multiple suppliers in the construction process it is challenging to optimize logistics to and from the construction site causing large inefficiencies in transportation. Buildings are often underutilized during the lifetime as both buildings and leases offer limited flexibility. |
PREMATURE PRODUCT LIVES | Typically, buildings are built for a specific purpose and as user needs changes it is difficult to repurpose the buildings, causing buildings to be decommissioned prematurely. Since the cost of building and the cost of operating and maintaining buildings are often not born by the same actors, buildings are built with poor material and design choices. As a result of this, buildings are taken down prematurely and potential lifecycles are wasted. |
WASTED END-OF-LIFE VALUE | Complexity in construction and lack of information about how the built asset is assembled make recycling and recovery of materials challenging because components can not be disassembled, and materials can not be separated from each other. Buildings are built for a long lifetime and take back-schemes from manufacturers of components at end of life are very rare. |
UNEXPLOITED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENTS | There is often a lack of communication between building owners and entrepreneurs resulting in limited discussions on finding optimal, sustainable solutions and on options for product use extension and repurposing of buildings. |
1 . https://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1188884/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Analysis based on desktop research, insights from workshops with SMEs and interviews with industry experts.
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL |
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last |
Circular supplies | |
SHARING PLATFORM | Share |
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service |
Performance as a service | |
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain |
Upgrade | |
Resell | |
Remanufacture | |
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle |
Return |
Source: Accenture. → Appendix 2 for more details
BUSINESS MODEL | SUB-MODEL | EXAMPLES |
Modular design principles and documenting and tracking materials facilitate recovery of materials at end of life | ||
CIRCULAR INPUTS | Build to last | Moelven has designed Modus system walls, where the components are designed to be able to be taken apart and reassembled in a new design. When business needs change, the design of the room can be changed without having to add new materials as the walls can be moved and reused |
Circular supplies | The Madaster platform creates transparency in the built environment through allowing product and material data to be stored, enriched, shared and managed throughout the building lifecycle. The material passport gives insight into materials, components and products used to create a building, and into their quantities. | |
SpaceIQ uses sensor data in its comprehensive workplace platform to allow customers to optimize the use of office space. The platform combines all relevant data sources such as employee information, floor charts, facility services etc. | ||
Sharing platforms are relevant in the construction phase and building use phase, where they enable resource and capacity optimisation | ||
SHARING PLATFORM | Share | Netlet collects surplus material from construction sites and sell it discounted through their platform and in stores. In that way Netlet works as an enabler for construction companies, contributing to reducing waste from the construction industry. |
Plastcom: The plastic resale platform is a marketplace specially developed for the plastic industry, allowing companies to sell and buy slow-moving stock, virgin leftovers, production waste etc. | ||
Airbnb is an online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes with people who are looking for accommodation. | ||
The product as a service models strengthen customer relationships through shared risk and frequent interaction | ||
PRODUCT AS A SERVICE | Product as a service | Philips extends its offering and provides light as a service complementary to its offering of light bulbs. The pricing schemes used are either paying per lux or paying a fixed charge per month. The service delivers the value to the customer in a whole new way. To provide it as efficient as possible, equipment is tracked with sensors. |
Performance as a service | WeWork provides flexible shared workspaces allowing companies to lease office space “by the seat”, with all of the IT and communications included. The solution enables companies to grow and shrink office footprints according to their needs. | |
Temporary Space rents building modules to schools, offices, kindergardens and to other purposes. The modules allows the customers to increase their capacity when needed, without spending resources on expanding their premises permanently. When additional capacity is no longer needed, Temporary Space recovers the modules and rents them out to other customers. | ||
Various services can significantly prolong the lifecycle of a building, such as refurbishment of old buildings | ||
PRODUCT USE EXTENSION | Repair & Maintain | An increasingly important market for NCC is refurbishment of residential buildings and offices from the 1960s and 70s. One example is the Portland Towers in the Port of Copenhagen, which has been transformed from cement silos to modern offices. During the refurbishment project, a total of seven floors were added to the outside of the silos. |
Upgrade | Veidekke is currently renovating the existing building stock of a nursing home in Norway. In this project, Veidekke will make changes to the floorplan and install new surfaces, new technical systems and additional rooms. The roofs, ceilings and facades will also be renovated, including installing additional insulation. Solar panels will also be installed on the roof to further reduce the energy needs of the building. | |
Resell | Fram Eiendom is a real estate development company which specializes in acquisition and development of high quality properties. In spring 2020, they completed the Valkyrien project in Oslo, which refurbished six individual properties and connected them together to establish a joint department store and apartment complex. The work included complete alterations to the floor plans, new surfaces, new facades etc., while still retaining the old material and components where possible. | |
Remanufacture | ||
Construction waste is a large challenge for the industry, but there are several ongoing initiatives | ||
RESOURCE RECOVERY | Recycle/upcycle | Gamle Mursten upcycles old bricks for new buildings. Thanks to a patented cleaning technology, called the REBRICK process, the company ensures that building waste can be recycled. Old bricks are cleaned, sorted manually and stacked by robots and sold for new building and renovation projects where clients want to minimize the impact of unnecessary CO2 emissions on the environment. |
Return | AF Gruppen has developed new technology to harvest, clean and recycle contaminated construction materials, extracting 80% of the mass as reusable materials and 20% as contaminated mass for further treatment. | |
The real estate developer JM is working together with the recycler Norsk Gjenvinning to recycle construction waste from JM’s construction sites in Norway. Currently, they are recycling 68% of all construction waste, which makes them a leading company in the construction industry. One example is the waste from wood, which is sorted at the construction site, processed by Norsk Gjenvinning and finally used in furniture production in Sweden. |
Marthe Haugland
Senior Innovation Advisor
+47 971 35 126
m.haugland@nordicinnovation.org
Jyri Arponen
Senior Lead, Business Development
+358 40 766 2906
jyri.arponen@sitra.fi
Anna Belvén Töndevold
Nordic Sustainability Strategy Lead
+46 730 51 32 96
anna.b.tondevold@accenture.com
Purpose
The Circular maturity survey was conducted to understand the starting point of Nordic manufacturing SMEs in adopting the circular economy principles.
Content
The survey included two reflections:
The first reflection focused on understanding the occurrence and level of the five inefficiencies of the linear model:
In the second reflection, companies were asked to assess their current adoption level of the 11 circular sub-models.
Outcome
In total, 28 Nordic manufacturing SMEs replied to the survey. The responses were collected in workshops and through an online survey in September – October 2020.
Detailed results of the survey are presented below.
1. Unsustainable materials: Material and energy that cannot be continually regenerated (e.g. direct and indirect material is not renewable or bio-based)
2. Underutilised capacity: Underutilised or unused products and assets (e.g. products are not operating full hours or full functionality is not used
3. Premature product lives: Products are not used to the fullest possible working life (e.g. due to new models and features or lack of repair and maintenance
4. Wasted end-of-life value: Valuable components, materials and energy is not recovered at disposal (e.g. not recycled or recovered at end of life
5. Unexploited customer engagements: Material and energy that cannot be continually regenerated (e.g. direct and indirect material is not renewable or bio-based
5 Circular business models
3 drivers for Circular Economy
4 types of inefficiencies in the linear value chain
Development of resource demand
Circular technology development
Circular technology descriptions
Circular sub-models
9 Circular capabilities
Industry X.0
Incremental savings from combining technologies
The wise pivot
Sustainable value creation framework